Introduction to the university of Huddersfield

About Huddersfield University Queensgate Campus

The University of Huddersfield (also known as Huddersfield University) is an English public research university in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. It has been a university since 1992, but its roots go back to the nineteenth century. Its priority is maintaining teaching quality, and the university has also received the inaugural Higher Education Academy Global Teaching Excellence Award and a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold Award in 2017.

History of University of Huddersfield

In 1825, there was an attempt to set up a Scientific and Mechanics Institution in the town. With the support group of donors, its patron was a leading Whig and large local landowner, Sir John Ramsden. It aimed 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. It faltered and later became part of the Huddersfield Philosophical Society, an organization with which its rules are now more closely aligned. 

The university’s history is usually traced back to 1841. That year, five young men employed by local industrialist Frederic Schwann approached their employer for assistance in establishing a new subscription library and some elementary education classes. 

The institution’s continued prosperity in the 1860s attributes to two major developments- the demand for more technical and scientific education and the introduction of an examination system by the newly formed national Department of Science and Art. The institution oversaw an examination system and made grants to science schools based on results. The Society of Arts held its first examinations outside of London in Huddersfield in 1857.

In 1883, the Technical School and Mechanics’ Institute merged with the town’s Female Educational Institute, and the Technical School and Mechanics’ Institute was the institution’s new name.

Queensgate, a new building, was built on what is now the ring road for £20,000, and members and philanthropic supporters funded it through subscriptions. The Ramsden Building got its name from the Ramsden family, who owned the land on which it stood. The university’s Health and Human Sciences Department is still in use.

The Technical School and Mechanics’ Institute merged in 1896 to form the Technical College, renamed the College of Technology in 1958.

World War I was a period of expansion for the College. A Coal Tar Chemistry Department was established, with funds from the government and donations used to provide research scholarships in chemistry. More than 100 chemists worked as research staff at the College, developing products for British Dyes Ltd.

The College of Technology and Oastler College of Education merged to form Huddersfield Polytechnic in 1970. Founded in 1963, Oastler College was a day-training college for teachers. Margaret Thatcher, then Education Secretary, officially opened Huddersfield Polytechnic on April 23, 1971.

In 1992, the Polytechnic later became the University of Huddersfield.

Professor Ken Durrands served as Vice-Chancellor when the institution got the status of a university. He later got the credit for turning it into a ‘thriving university.’

However, he was forced to resign before the end of his contract in 1994 due to a dispute over the removal of independently-elected representatives from the university’s governing body.

Sir William Taylor was Vice-Chancellor for a year, from 1994 to 1995. He was formerly the Vice-Chancellor of Hull University. His only intention to stay in Huddersfield was for a year on an interim basis.

Campus

Queensgate campus of University of Huddersfield

Queensgate, the university’s main campus, is located southeast of Huddersfield town center. Almost all of the university’s instruction takes place on-site. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal divides the campus in two. It is made up of both converted mill buildings and purpose-built facilities. The university made more than £250 million investment in the campus. The amount of construction work on the Queensgate campus has been a notable feature of the University of Huddersfield in recent years.

The Creative Arts Building first opened in 2008 and has since been adorned with a large public art in the form of Lemn Sissay’s poem Let There Be Peace.

The new £17 million Business School opened in 2010, with the £3 million Buckley Innovation Centre opening in 2012, the £22.5 million Student Central building opening in 2014, and the £27.5 million Oastler Building for Law and the School of Music, Humanities, and Media opening in 2017.

Existing building renovations include creating the £1 million Holocaust Centre, which opened in 2018.

University campus Oldham

University campus Oldham (UCO) opened in May 2005 in Oldham, Greater Manchester. It provides full-time and part-time degrees, diplomas, foundation degrees, and postgraduate courses. Oldham College has managed University Campus Oldham (UCO) since August 2012. The University of Huddersfield continues to validate UCO Teacher Education programs, which lead to a University of Huddersfield award.

University Campus Barnsley

University Campus Barnsley opened in 2005 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The campus has music, art and design, journalism, and media production facilities.

Barnsley College has managed University Campus Barnsley (UCB) since August 2013.

Starting in September 2013, UCB programs still get validation from the university.  These programs lead to a University of Huddersfield award.

This location was previously home to the Barnsley Mining and Technical College.

The ‘Tech’ opened in 1932 when mining was at the heart of Barnsley’s economy, and the College had the reputation of being the world’s largest mining college.

International study center of University of Huddersfield

The university’s International Study Centre (ISC) provides degree preparation courses for international students. The Study Group is in charge of the programs. The ISC is on the main Queensgate campus of the university. Students can socialize while also having access to the library and other specialized IT facilities.

Courses

The University of Huddersfield has an excellent reputation for assisting graduates in finding work. It is a welcoming and student-centered university with a strong vocational focus. It maintains and develops strong ties with commerce and industry, which explains the university’s high postgraduate employment rate. Out of a total student population of around 24,000, there are approximately 3,500 full-time and part-time postgraduate students. With around 10% of the population being students, the historic town of Huddersfield in Yorkshire is a great place to live for them. 

The University of Huddersfield is an exciting and stimulating place to learn, and it is expanding as a research and academic excellence center. Huddersfield University is one of the top ten UK universities for incorporating paid work placements (internships) into its courses. Huddersfield has a higher-than-average graduate employability rate (around 92%) because the development of the courses is in collaboration with employers and industry needs.

Popular programs of University of Huddersfield

Arts and Humanities 

• BA (Hons) Animation
• BA (Hons) Animation (Placement)
• BA (Hons) Animation Production
• BA (Hons) Animation Production (Placement)
• BA (Hons) Applied English Language Studies

Business & Management 

• BA (Hons) Accountancy
• BA (Hons) Accountancy (Placement)
• BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance
• BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance (Placement)
• BA (Hons) Accountancy with Financial Services
• BA (Hons) Accountancy with Financial Services (Placement)

Engineering and Technology 

• BA (Hons) Computing in Business
• BA (Hons) Computing in Business (Placement)
• BEng (Hons) Automotive and Motorsport Engineering
• BEng (Hons) Automotive and Motorsport Engineering (Placement)
• BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering
• BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering (Placement)

Life Sciences and Medicine 

• BSc (Hons) Behavioural Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
• BSc (Hons) Biochemistry (Placement)
• BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Research Placement
• BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Placement)

Natural Sciences 

• BSc (Hons) Chemistry
• BSc (Hons) Chemistry (Placement)
• BSc (Hons) Chemistry (Top-Up)
• BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Chemical Engineering
• BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Chemical Engineering (Placement)
• BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Forensic Science

Others 

• BSc (Hons) Transport and Logistics Management (Placement)

Social Sciences and Management 

• BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism
• BA (Hons) Childhood Studies
• BA (Hons) Creative Media and Production
• BA (Hons) Creative Media and Production (Placement)
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood and Education

Rankings of University of Huddersfield

The University of Huddersfield is a top public university in Huddersfield, England. The QS World University Rankings 2023 got a 651-700 rank.

• QS WUR Ranking by Subject- 383
• Graduate Employability Ranking- 301-500

Alumni

Notable alumni of the University of Huddersfield

• Adil Ray (Actor)
• David Richards (Businessman)
• Rosie Jones (Comedian)
• Kavita Oberoi (British Entrepreneur)
• Matt Roberts (English Television Presenter)
• Colin Burgon (British Labour Party Politician)

Key takeaways

• The University of Huddersfield maintains its high standards of teaching and learning and excellent facilities. Huddersfield helps thousands of people achieve their goals, whether school leavers or those returning to education after a break.
• The university has three campuses- the University campus Oldham, Queensgate campus, and the university campus Barnsley. Huddersfield also has an international study that provides degree preparation courses. 
• Huddersfield University incorporates paid work placements (internships) into its courses. It has a higher-than-average graduate employability rate (around 92%) as the development of the courses is in collaboration with employers and industry needs.

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FAQs

Q1. Is it hard to get admission to the University of Huddersfield?

Ans- The acceptance rate at the University of Huddersfield is 76.46%.

Q2. What are the English language requirements of the University of Huddersfield?

Ans- The University normally requires an IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands) or equivalent in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Some courses may have a higher level requirement. Review the details on each course listing before applying.

Q3. What is the tuition fee for Huddersfield University?

Ans- International tuition fee for Huddersfield University is 11,000 GBP (2012 – 13).