History
An early failure (1825)
In 1825 there was an attempt to set up a Scientific and Mechanics Institution in the town. Supported by a group of donors, its patron was leading Whig and large local landowner Sir John Ramsden. Its aims were to instruct local mechanics and tradesmen in scientific principles relating to their work, through lectures and a circulation library, which by 1827 contained over 700 volumes.
The financial crisis of 1825–1826 led to the failure of the institution’s bankers, and it faltered and later became part of the Huddersfield Philosophical Society, an organization with which its rules now more closely aligned. Some 19th-century students earned qualifications as external students of the University of London.
Young Men's Mental Improvement Society (1841–1843)
The history of the university is usually traced to 1841. It was in that year that five young men who were employed by local industrialist Frederic Schwann, who had been born in Frankfurt, approached their employer for support in establishing a new subscription library and some elementary educational classes, ‘to supply in some cases the deficiency of early instruction, and to procure for others the means of further improvement’.They first met in the Temperance Hotel, Cross Church Street, Huddersfield in May 1841.
Huddersfield Mechanics' Institution (1844–1883)
The increase in student numbers prompted a move to Nelson's Buildings in New Street, and the renaming of the institution to more closely reflect its remit. The first Secretary, Robert Neil, was appointed in 1844, and acted not just as a Secretary but as a teacher-supervisor, influencing the formative development of the organization. In March 1844 he organized a Soiree (tea-party) for 700 at the town's Philosophical Hall and in May a Rural Gala for 500 at Fixby Pastures.
Negotiations with the local railway company led to reduced fares into York for 300 membership to enjoy the cultural opportunities of the city. In 1846, Neil was succeeded by George Searle Phillips, who was described by historian John O'Connell as 'philosopher, propagandist and missionary' of the institution. He oversaw the expansion of the curriculum, revision of the feed system to make the institution self-supporting, the visitation of absent students, and the compilation of statistics of the institution's achievements.
Technical School and Mechanics' Institute (1883–1896)
A merger took place with the town’s Female Educational Institute in 1883, and the institution becomes the Technical School and Mechanics' Institute. A new building was constructed on what it today the ring road called Queensgate that cost £20,000, and was funded by the subscriptions of members and philanthropic supporters.
Called the Ramsden Building, after the Ramsden family who owned the land upon which the building stood, the building is still in use by the Health and Human Sciences Department of the university today. Before the building opened to students in 1884, it was used for a five-month Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition. These kinds of exhibitions, inspired by the Great Exhibition, showcased the latest in textile technology alongside copies of great masters paintings or more contemporary works
The University of Huddersfield (since 1992)
The Polytechnic became the University of Huddersfield in 1992.
Professor Ken Durrands was Vice-Chancellor at the time the institution achieved university status. He was later credited with having "transformed" it into "a thriving university".However, in 1994 he was forced to leave his post before the end of his contract, following a row over the removal of independently-elected representatives from the university's governing body.
Sir William Taylor served as Vice-Chancellor for a year during 1994 and 1995. He had previously been the Vice-Chancellor of Hull University. He only intended to remain at Huddersfield for 12 months, on an interim basis
Are you thinking of studying with us at the University of Huddersfield? We're really proud of what we offer our students and we’re sure you'll be impressed.
Take a look at the reasons why you should make the University of Huddersfield your first choice:
Top 5 reasons to choose Huddersfield
- The University of Huddersfield is a gold-rated university in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
- Here at Huddersfield, you’ll be taught by some of the best lecturers in the country. The University is joint first in England for the proportion of staff with teaching qualifications (HESA 2020)
- We're unique in the fact that all our permanent teaching staff* have, or are completing, doctorates. This expertise, together with our teaching credentials, means that students here learn from knowledgeable and well-qualified teachers and academics who are at the forefront of their subject area.
- For the past ten years, we've been the UK’s leading university for National Teaching Fellowships too, which rate Britain’s best lecturers. It's all part of our ongoing drive for teaching excellence, which helps our students to achieve great things too.
- 100% of our students have the opportunity to undertake professional work experience during their studies.
An award-winning University
Our mission is to be an inspiring and innovative University of international renown. Through awards, we are gaining recognition for our outstanding work towards achieving this vision.
A gold-rated University
We are proud to have been recognized as a gold-rated University by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
No 1 in England for teaching
We were the first university in England to achieve recognition as having the highest proportion of professionally qualified teaching staff.
Global Teaching Excellence Award
Leading educationalists from around the world have selected the University of Huddersfield as the first winner of the Global Teaching Excellence Award.
University of the Year
In November 2013, the University was awarded the Times Higher Education University of the Year. The award was in recognition of a University 'that has demonstrated exceptional performance in the past academic year’.
In 2015, the University was named the New University of the Year at the Educate North Awards. A panel of more than 20 leading figures from the fields of education, business, and politics selected the winners, who were announced at a ceremony in Manchester.
In April 2017 Huddersfield joined the Times Higher's world top 200 “young universities”.
Official honors
In 2019, the University’s role in future-proofing the rail network earned a Queen’s Anniversary Prize. It’s one of the most coveted honors in UK Higher Education. The prize recognized the innovations made by the Institute of Railway Research to track, rolling stock, and safety of the rail network.
