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London Metropolitan University

Coordinates: 51°30′31″N 0°04′31″W / 51.5086°N 0.0752°W / 51.5086; -0.0752
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51°30′31″N 0°04′31″W / 51.5086°N 0.0752°W / 51.5086; -0.0752

London Metropolitan University
File:London Met Logo (165X165).png
TypePublic
Established1 August 2002,
by merger of University of North London and London Guildhall University.[1]
Endowment£1.2m[2]
Vice-ChancellorProf. Malcolm Gillies
PatronHRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT[3]
Academic staff
2,400 (academic & admin)[4]
Students28,525[5]
Undergraduates20,920[5]
Postgraduates7,055[5]
Location
London
,
England, UK
CampusLondon City and London North
London Underground StationHolloway Road
Aldgate East
ColoursRoyal Purple   Grey  
NicknameLondon Met
AffiliationsIET
BCS
EUA
Association of Commonwealth Universities
Million+
Universities UK
IAAPS
Websitewww.londonmet.ac.uk

London Metropolitan University (London Met), located in London, England, was formed on 1 August 2002 by the amalgamation of the University of North London (est.1896) and the London Guildhall University (est.1848).[1][6] The University has campuses in the City of London and in the London Borough of Islington.

The University operates its own archives, libraries and museum. The Women's Library houses the archives of the Fawcett Society, and other material on the history of feminism. The other collections are the TUC Library,[7] the Irish Studies Collection and The Frederick Parker Collection.[8] In 2011, following a review of its undergraduate education provision which revealed that 80% of its students were on just 80 courses, London Met announced it would be slimming down its course offering.

History

London Metropolitan University was formed on 1 August 2002 by the merger of London Guildhall University with the University of North London. The change of name of the merged University was approved by the Privy Council. In October 2006, the University opened a new Science Centre, part of a £30m investment in its science department at the North campus close to Holloway Road in North London, the facility includes a "Super Lab" claimed to be one of Europe's most advanced science teaching facilities[9][10][11][12] with 280 workstations equipped with digital audio visual interactive equipment. The President Emeritus, who holds the academic title of Professor, is Sir Roderick Floud.[13]

London Guildhall University

London Guildhall University
Established1848 (1992 as LGU)
Further information: London Guildhall University

In 1848 Charles Blomfield, the Bishop of London, called upon the clergy to establish evening classes to improve the moral, intellectual and spiritual condition of young men in London. In response, the bishop Charles Mackenzie, who instituted the Metropolitan Evening Classes for Young Men in Crosby Hall, Bishopsgate, London, with student fees at one shilling per session. Subjects on the original curriculum included Greek, Latin, Hebrew, English, History, Mathematics, Drawing and Natural Philosophy. This fledgling college came under royal patronage following the visit of Prince Albert to the classes in 1851. In 1860 the classes moved to Sussex Hall, the former Livery Hall of the Bricklayers' Company, in Leadenhall Street. By this time, some 800 students were enrolled annually.

In 1861 the classes were reconstituted and named the City of London College. From 1848 till recently, the main work of the College has been done in the evening, and the results have been most successful. The rapid increase in all parts of the metropolis of Polytechnics has led, however, to the City of London College specialising in one direction-that of commercial education. It is now the commercial college of London. Over the next twenty years, the College was one of the pioneers in the introduction of commercial and technical subjects. The college built new premises in White Street at a cost of £16,000 (contributions were received from Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales) and were opened in 1881. In 1891 the college joined Birkbeck Institute and the Northampton Institute to form the City Polytechnic by a Charity Commissioners' scheme to facilitate funding for these institutions by the City Parochial Foundation, and to enable the three institutions to work cooperatively. However this attempted federation did not function in practice, as each institution continued to operate more or less independently. The City Polytechnic concept was dissolved in 1906 and the City of London College came under the supervision of London County Council.

In December 1940 the college's building was destroyed by a German air raid. City of London College subsequently moved into premises at 84 Moorgate in 1944. In 1948, the City of London College celebrated its centenary with a service of thanksgiving addressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury at St Paul's Cathedral. In 1970 the college merged with Sir John Cass College to form the City of London Polytechnic. From 1992 to July 2002, the institution was known as London Guildhall University.

Under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 the Polytechnic was awarded University status, previously having awarded the degrees of the former Council for National Academic Awards. London Guildhall University was named in order to show its links with the City of London and the City's many guilds/livery companies. It was unassociated with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, based at the Barbican Centre. The schools was ranked 30th out of the UK's 43 new universities in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise.

University of North London

University of North London
File:LogoOrg125.jpg
Established1896 (1992 as UNL)
Further information: University of North London

Founded as the Northern Polytechnic Institute in 1896, it merged in 1971 with the North Western Polytechnic which was established in 1929, to become the Polytechnic of North London. Until the passing of the Education Reform Act 1988, the Polytechnic was under the control of the Inner London Education Authority — part of the then Greater London Council and awarded the degrees of the former Council for National Academic Awards. Under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, the institution, a pioneer of widening participation and access to higher education, was granted University status and the right to award its own degrees. Following the merger with London Guildhall University, London Metropolitan University became the largest unitary university in Greater London.

Campuses

City campus

The City campus is the site of the former London Guildhall University, near Aldgate East, Tower Hill and Liverpool Street tube stations.

There are buildings located at Minories, Jewry Street,Central House, Moorgate, Whitechapel High Street, Calcutta House, Commercial Road and Goulston Street. There is a gymnasium for the use of staff and students at the Whitechapel High St. building, although there are also several private gymnasiums nearby.

It is at the intersection of the City of London financial district and the old East end (Jack the Ripper tours frequently pass by the University's buildings). Spitalfields market is close by, offering a variety of bars, coffee shops, and restaurants, as well as market stalls.

  • Stained Glass Window above the entrace to Moorgate Campus.
    Stained Glass Window above the entrace to Moorgate Campus.
  • Moorgate building with London Met flag above the entrance.
    Moorgate building with London Met flag above the entrance.
  • Tower Hill building entrance on Minories Road.
    Tower Hill building entrance on Minories Road.
  • Law Building at Goulston Street
    Law Building at Goulston Street

North campus

The North campus is the site of the former University of North London on Holloway Road, near Holloway Road and Highbury & Islington tube stations.

The Campus began life in 1896 as the Northern Polytechnic Institute. By 1900, student numbers had doubled and later the Institute's evening degrees were recognised by the University of London.

In the early 1970s, the Northern Polytechnic merged with the North Western Polytechnic, which was established in 1929, to become the Polytechnic of North London. In 1992 the Polytechnic became the University of North London.

Profile

File:Londonmet.superlab.jpg
Science Centre (Super Lab)

London Metropolitan University is the largest "single university" in London,[6] serving more than 28,525 students[5] and with buildings spread throughout the centre of London. The University offers 485 degree courses and has the largest choice of courses in London.[10][14][15][16][17] The University has around 7,000 overseas students from more than 155 different countries.[6] In 2005/06, London Metropolitan University was ranked third most popular university in United Kingdom for international students[18]

Academic reputation

File:London Met Library.jpg
North Campus Library


In the past, London Metropolitan refused to participate in newspaper league tables, believing that the UK Government should be the formal assessor of universities, rather than (private) newspapers. The new management reversed this policy, appearing in the 2011 national rankings (published in 2010) which placed London Metropolitan at 115th(Times University Guide) and 118th(Guardian University Guide) place.

In the 2006 Institutional Audit, the Quality Assurance Agency expressed "broad confidence" in the soundness of the University's management of the quality of its academic programmes and the academic standards of its awards.[19]

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, London Metropolitan was ranked equal 107th out of 132 institutions by the Times Higher Education's RAE league table.[20][21]

Subject Rankings

London Met's architecture department was ranked 18th and 20th in 2011 and 2012 at The Guardian University League Tables. [22] The university's American Studies placed 20th, 17th and 18th in 2011, 2012 and more recently, at the newly published Complete University Guide 2013.[23] The law school ranked 87th in 2011 at the Complete University Guide and rose to 85 in 2012 and now ranked 75th out of 96 law schools at the 2013 Complete University Guide. It is also ranked 58th out of 96 in Research Assessment. [24]

Academic departments

Sir John Cass Building which houses the Department of Art, Media and Design

London Metropolitan University currently consists of the following faculties and schools:

  • Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Design
  • Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Media and Design
  • London Metropolitan Polymer Centre
  • London Metropolitan Business School
  • Faculty of Computing
  • Faculty of Life Sciences
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Human Sciences
  • Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
  • School of Applied Social Sciences
  • School of Humanities, Arts and Languages
  • School of Education
  • Faculty of Law, Governance and International Relations

The Faculty of LGIR sponsors the London Metropolitan Mansfield Law Society and has a student publication called Dictum.

Scholarships

The Learning Centre which houses the North Campus Library

Every year London Metropolitan University invests over £700,000 in its scholarship programme to help academically excellent students as well as students with outstanding achievements in various sports disciplines fund their education. London Metropolitan University offers a Merit Scholarship Programme and gives £1000 for all international students who achieve 'A' grades marks whilst studying any bachelor degree course at the University. London Metropolitan University also offers some scholarships in sports, such as Hockey, Tennis and Basketball.[25]

The University also offers postgraduate scholarships, a range of full tuition scholarships, including some scholarships with free accommodation.

London Metropolitan University offers scholarships in conjunction with:

Study abroad programmes

The London Metropolitan University has several student exchange programmes with academic institutions in the US and Europe, with financial support for those who participate through the Erasmus program. Some of these institutions include the San Diego State University,San Francisco State University and University of West Indies.

Students' Union

London Metropolitan University Students' Union ("MetSU") is affiliated to the National Union of Students. The day to day running of the Union is organised by a team of officers who together make up the Executive Committee. A Student Council sets policy and can set the direction that the Executive take. The University directly manages two award-winning social facilities:The Rocket complex and courtyard located on Holloway Road at North campus; and Hub Bar located on Goulston Street at City campus.[26]

The Rocket is renowned for its now defunct Wednesday club night, which was once voted best student night out in London by Time Out.[27] The Hub bar holds regular university and external events.

Both the Rocket and Hub are used by club and live music promoters for public events.[28] Past performances include Norman Jay, Mary Ann Hobbs, 2manydjs, Justice and Foreign Beggars with Beardyman.[citation needed]

Governance

The university's operations are overseen by a board of governors comprising external members and senior administrative and academic staff.

Controversy

In May 2008, London Metropolitan University presented the 14th Dalai Lama with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy,[29] for "promoting peace globally".[30] This move caused controversy among the Chinese public and the overseas Chinese community,[31] who view the Dalai Lama as partly responsible for the 2008 unrest in Tibet.[32] As a result, Chinese migration agents had been reported to "boycott" London Metropolitan University in advising clients who wish to study in the UK.[33] The university's Vice Chancellor, Brian Roper issued an apology letter to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via embassy officials in July.[34] In an interview with the Global Times, a worker at a Chinese study abroad agency suggested that the University could repair the offence of the honors by refusing speaking platforms to Tibetan independence groups, such as the University's own "Free Tibet Society".[35]

Student number controversy

A demonstration against job cuts in Jan 2009

In July 2008 it was reported that a financial crisis was looming for the university. London Met had been misreporting data on student drop-outs for several years and, consequently, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) was proposing to claw back at least £15 million for the overpayment in 2008-9.[36]

News of the crisis led to a demonstration of staff and students outside the universities Tower Building in January 2009. They were calling for the vice-chancellor to be sacked and standing against possible job cuts.

In February 2009 the figure of overpayment was revised to £56 million by HEFCE, who were seeking to recover the money.[37] Local newspaper the Islington Gazette reported on the high stress levels among staff, including those on long-term sick leave. Alan Pike, a UNISON official, was quoted as saying "In the past two months, we have had about 20 support staff come to us with stress." [38]

On 19 March 2009, in response to the crisis, vice-chancellor Brian Roper resigned his position with immediate effect but continued to receive his salary until December 2009.[39] Controversially, he received a series of bonuses during the period when the university was returning inaccurate data to HEFCE.[citation needed]

On 29 April 2009, the University and College Union (UCU) announced that members at London Metropolitan University voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action and 'action short of a strike' against the loss of at least 550 jobs.[40]

In May 2009 Alfred Morris, former vice-chancellor of the University of the West of England and University of Wales, Lampeter, was appointed interim vice-chancellor.[41]

The government announced in May 2009 that there would be an independent inquiry, exploring the possibility that HEFCE had colluded with London Met by failing to query implausibly low drop-out rates.[42] It concluded in November 2009 and was reported to cast responsibility to Brian Roper, other senior administrators, and the Board of Governors. Following conclusion of the report, the chair of HEFCE called on "senior staff" and the entire Board of Governors to resign, noting that HEFCE was not convinced that the university's management could effectively safeguard public funds.[43] After the deadline indicated by HEFCE chief executive Alan Langlands had passed, there were ruminations among staff and ministers that HEFCE could withdraw funding, effectively forcing the university to close.[44]

A report commissioned by the university, published in November 2009, found that Roper had “the major responsibility and culpability” for the financial situation: Roper and some members of the executive were aware that the university had been applying its own interpretation of funding rules on student dropouts – rather than the funding council’s – since 2003, but took no action. The university’s board of governors and audit committee had an oversight role, which made them ultimately “accountable for a financial failure of this magnitude” and meant that they “must take overall responsibility”.[45]

2011 announcement of course closures and move to year long modules

In early 2011, London Metropolitan University announced an overhaul of undergraduate education for students entering courses in 2012. This included a reduction in the number of courses from 557 to 160. The announcement also signalled a move from semester-long to year-long modules, and thirty weeks of teaching, a gain of six weeks on the current average. The university argues that the longer learning time, will increase the opportunity for development and guidance before students move to final examinations.

[46] There will be a transition to this new course offering in 2011/12 and this has led to applicants for some courses being contacted and offered alternative programmes. [47]

2012 Alcohol Ban

In April 2012 London Metropolitan University admitted it was considering banning alcohol on university grounds to appease students from Muslim backgrounds citing 'cultural sensitivity' for the prohibition. [48] However, Farooq Murad, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain stated that "thousands of Muslims attended university and as far as he was aware there had never been a demand for an alcohol ban on campuses." [49] Also see 'Dhimmitude'.

International offices

The University maintains several offices outside the United Kingdom.

City Country
Dhaka Bangladesh
Brussels Belgium
Beijing China
Delhi and Chennai India
Lagos Nigeria
Lahore and Karachi Pakistan
Kathmandu Nepal

The plot of the 1997 Mike Leigh film Career Girls centres around a reunion between two women who had flatshared six years earlier as students: it is mentioned in passing that they were students at the Polytechnic of North London.

Notable alumni

Notable staff

References

  1. ^ a b "History". London Metropolitan University. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  2. ^ http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/londonmet/library/q89076_3.pdf
  3. ^ University launched and patron honoured The Metropolitan Issue 5, March 2003
  4. ^ Facts and Figures - from official website
  5. ^ a b c d "Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2007/08" (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet). Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Green, Chris (2007-07-27). "A-Z Unis & Colleges: London Metropolitan University". The Independent. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
  7. ^ "TUC | History Online". Unionhistory.info. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  8. ^ http://www.frederick-parker-foundation.org%7CThe Fredrick Parker Collection
  9. ^ Science centre 'best in Europe' - from BBC World Service
  10. ^ a b Brought to you in association with London Metropolitan University - from Guardian Unlimited
  11. ^ Science ‘superlab’ opens at London Met United Kingdom - from International Education Media
  12. ^ Science Centre-Virtual Tour -from official website
  13. ^ Sir Roderick Floud -from London Metropolitan University official website
  14. ^ London Metropolitan University -from studyLondon
  15. ^ Facts and figures -from London Metropolitan University official website
  16. ^ Foundation Course University Partners -from BellerbysCollege
  17. ^ CITYZONE COMPANY MEMBER - LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY -from cityzone
  18. ^ "Inactive Page". Londonmet.ac.uk. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  19. ^ Review reports: London Metropolitan University -from Quality Assurance Agency
  20. ^ "Times Higher Education RAE league table" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  21. ^ RAE 2008 quality profiles for London Metropolitan University -from Research Assessment Exercise 2008
  22. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-league-table-2012
  23. ^ http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=American+Studies
  24. ^ http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=Law
  25. ^ Merit scholarships - from London Metropolitan University Official Website
  26. ^ LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY -from The Guardian
  27. ^ Campus Services -from London Metropolitan University official website
  28. ^ Review of London Metropolitan University -from The Independent
  29. ^ London Metropolitan University - Dalai Lama visits, Times Higher Education Supplement 29 May 2008
  30. ^ UK university honours Dalai Lama, BBC 20 May 2008
  31. ^ "Overseas Chinese communities condemn sabotage activities in Tibet". Window of China. Beijing. Xinhua News Agency. 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
  32. ^ "Dalai Lama urges end to violence". BBC News. 2008-03-18. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
  33. ^ 多家留学中介表示抵制挺“藏独”英国高校 (Several overseas study agencies say they will boycott British university that supports Tibetan independence), Global Daily, 13 June 2008
  34. ^ Curtis, Polly (2008-07-09). "University says sorry to China for Tibet degree". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
  35. ^ Xiang, Li (2008-07-08). "London school regrets honoring Dalai Lama". China Daily. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
  36. ^ Attwood, Rebecca (2008-07-10). "Hefce clawback means cuts loom". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  37. ^ Paton, Maureen (3 February 2009). "Balancing the books". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  38. ^ http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/content/islington/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=ISLGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsislg&itemid=WeED04%20Feb%202009%2015%3A53%3A36%3A603
  39. ^ Curtis, Polly (19 March 2009). "Vice-chancellor of London Metropolitan quits". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  40. ^ "University and College Union - London Met lecturers vote for strike action". UCU. 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  41. ^ Newman, Melanie (21 May 2009). "Governors have explored the legal scenarios if London Met goes bust". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  42. ^ Melanie Newman, "Government announces inquiry into London Met crisis", Times Higher Education, 21 May 2009
  43. ^ Lucy Hodges and Richard Garner, "University accused of £36m student scam" The Independent, 22 November 2009
  44. ^ Lucy Hodges and Richard Garner, "London Met warned that it could be closed", The Independent, 7 December 2009
  45. ^ Attwood, Rebecca (November 20, 2009), "Roper is to blame for fiasco, but London Met's board bears responsibility", Times Higher Education
  46. ^ London Metropolitan University, "New directions at London Met", New directions at London Met, 6 May 2011
  47. ^ John Morgan, "London Met applicants trapped in limbo by course closures and Ucas deadline", Times Higher Education, 5 May 2011
  48. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/9199759/London-Metropolitan-University-mulls-alcohol-ban-for-conservative-Muslim-students.html
  49. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17701963
  50. ^ http://www.engineering-timelines.com/who/Hunter_A/hunterAdam3.asp%7C}}
  51. ^ "Garth Crooks Biography". Biography.jrank.org. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  52. ^ "London Met graduate fronts Brit-nominated band".
  53. ^ Spin doctor to resign - from BBC World Service


Also See

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