# University of Roehampton

The University of Roehampton, London, formerly Roehampton Institute of Higher Education, is a public university in the United Kingdom, situated on three major sites in Roehampton, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The University traces its roots to four institutions founded in the 19th century, which today make up the university's constituent colleges, around which student accommodation is centred: Digby Stuart College, Froebel College, Southlands College and Whitelands College.
Between 2000 and 2004, Roehampton, together with the University of Surrey, partnered as the Federal University of Surrey. In 2004, Roehampton became an independent university, and in 2011, it was renamed the University of Roehampton. The university is one of the post-1992 universities. Roehampton is a member of the European University Association and Universities UK.
Roehampton's academic faculties include the Faculty of Business and Law, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences and Faculty of Psychology.
The University achieved a Silver rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework and boasts high rankings in student satisfaction and research.

## History

Roehampton operates through a collegiate system, with four historic colleges that aim to provide a supportive community structure for students. The four colleges we founded in the 19th century as women's teacher training colleges:
* Whitelands College – Founded in 1841, the college is one of the five oldest institutions for training educators in England. A flagship women's college of the Church of England, it was the first college of higher education in the UK to admit women. It occupies a 14-acre site overlooking Richmond Park.
* Southlands College – Established in by the Methodist Church in 1872, originally in Battersea, as a teacher training college for women, becoming coeducational in 1965. Today it is the location of the University's Business School.
* Digby Stuart College – Established in 1874 as a teacher training college for Roman Catholic women. The college owes its existence to the Society of the Sacred Heart, whose members continue to support the college and the university.
* Froebel College – Founded in 1892, the secular college (non religious) was established to further the values of Friedrich Fröbel, the German educationalist who pioneered a holistic view of child development. It is one of the UK's major centres for initial teacher training
All four colleges were founded to address the need to educate poor and disadvantaged children. In 1976, the four colleges joined to form the Roehampton Institute of Higher Education. Its first Rector was Kevin Keohane, the former Professor of Science Education at Chelsea College of Science and Technology.
Since 2011, the university has been branded the University of Roehampton. However, its legal name remains Roehampton University. In 2012 the last college, Whitelands, was legally merged with the university, bringing all the colleges into a common management structure.

## Academic departments

* Faculty of Business and Law (including Roehampton University Business School and Roehampton University Law School)
* School of Arts (including Computing)
* School of Education (rated as an outstanding provider by OFSTED)
* School of Humanities and Social Sciences
* School of Life and Health Sciences (including Nursing)
* School of Psychology
* Sustainable Engineering and Technology Education Centre
* Croydon University College - In 2020 the University of Roehampton announced a partnership with Croydon College (Croydon University Centre). The Centre delivers Nursing programmes and a range of undergraduate programmes in Croydon town centre.

## Reputation and standing for research

The University was recognised (jointly) as the best UK modern university for research in the REF 2021, for which 218 staff were submitted in 12 areas and were graded 3*-4* overall. Overall 77% of the research submitted was ranked as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent', an increase of 11% since REF2014.
The University of Roehampton's current research initiatives are characterised by a diverse range of themes, reflecting the university's commitment to addressing contemporary societal and environmental issues. These initiatives span across various disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and impact. Roehampton's research spans five key areas: Creative exchange, Health and wellbeing, Social justice and inclusivity, Faith in society, and Economic Sustainability and Environmental Conservation. This diverse range of priorities highlights the university's commitment to making a difference in culture and society, collaborating with local businesses, civic partners, and policymakers.
The University of Roehampton has nine research centres:
* Centre for Practical Philosophy, Theology and Religion: Engaging in research emphasising the significance of Philosophy, Theology, and Religion in modern societies, this centre explores the intersections of faith, religious practice, and race. It aims to enhance understanding and dialogue in these areas, contributing to both academic discourse and practical applications
* Centre for Research in Psychological Wellbeing: Works to improve our understanding of factors that influence health, mental health, and wellbeing. The Centre for Research in Psychological Wellbeing at the University of Roehampton focuses on applied research in counselling and psychotherapy. Its research encompasses a variety of approaches, including pluralistic therapy and shared decision-making, emphasising client preferences in therapeutic settings. The Centre also investigates the establishment and achievement of goals within therapy, exploring how these objectives are formed and pursued in therapeutic contexts.
* Centre for Integrated Research in Life and Health Sciences: Promoting factors supporting healthy living, this centre tackles health inequalities through an interdisciplinary approach. It integrates life and health sciences to address critical health challenges, aiming to enhance quality of life.
* Centre for Equality, Justice and Social Change: Explores and promotes social justice in relation to inequalities, prejudice, and social trends in diverse societies.
* Centre for Research in Arts and Creative Exchange: Emphasising the value of creativity and the arts for social and political change, this centre provides a space for collaborative inquiry and practice. It engages in transformative work across artistic disciplines, fostering innovation and inclusivity.
* Research Centre for Literature and Inclusion: Focuses on equitable cultural representation, access, and inclusion, working with communities and organisations across various sectors.
* Research Centre in History and Classics: Uses insights from the past to inform public understanding and address present societal challenges.
* Centre for Sustainability and Responsible Management: This centre focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It aims to develop sustainable and ethical practices in organisations and enterprises, addressing contemporary challenges like climate change and societal equity
* Centre for Learning, Teaching and Human Development: Enhances educational outcomes for effective lifelong learning, leading to creative, inclusive, and healthier societies.
In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), the university was already ranked as the most research-intensive post-1992 university in the UK. Roehampton submitted work by more than two-thirds of its academic staff, in 13 subject areas. This is the highest proportion of any post-1992 university. Dance was the top performing subject, with 94% of research rated 4* and 3* – making it the highest-rated department in its subject area in the UK. Roehampton was also ranked 3rd in London for research quality in Education, and 4th for English. Roehampton was the strongest-performing university in London in these subject areas. Overall, 66 per cent Roehampton's research was judged either world-leading or internationally excellent.
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), Roehampton University was ranked first in the country for Dance and Biological Anthropology. Ten out of the fifteen subjects that submitted work included at least some proportion of research judged to be world-leading in terms of its originality and significance. 78% of all research undertaken at the university was of an international standard.

## 38th in UK for Knowledge exchange and cultural partnerships

Roehampton is ranked 38th in the UK for the impact of its research. The University works with local businesses, arts organisations, the third sector, and higher education across the UK and internationally. It has established partnerships with Wandsworth and Merton Chambers of Commerce, Crystal Palace Football Club, Citizens Advice Wandsworth, South West London Law Centres, and Santander to provide enriching educational and knowledge-sharing opportunities for students. It also works with Kew Gardens, Richmond Park, the National Archives, and Queen Mary's Hospital. Cultural partnerships, include the Wimbledon BookFest, Barnes Children's Literature Festival, Battersea Arts Centre.

## Facilities
### Library

The university opened a new library in 2017, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The library houses the Jewish Resource Centre Collection, the Centre for Marian Studies, a collection of resources covering all matters regarding the Virgin Mary, the Queen's Archive, featuring material on authority and governance within the Roman Catholic Church in the UK and the Richmal Crompton Collection of books and archive material accumulated during the lifetime of the author Richmal Crompton (1890–1969).

### Biomedical research facilities

The university has a biomechanics laboratory, which is based at Whitelands College. The lab is equipped with advanced optical motion analysis systems, Kistler force plates, Biometrics Electromyography equipment, Goniometers and 3D Accelerometers, Motion Tracking Sensors, and Physiological assessment equipment.

### E-sports

The university has an e-sports arena, with 20 PCs and facilities for live streaming and video editing. The University of Roehampton was the first university in the UK to offer e-sports scholarships.

### Mary Seacole Health Innovation Centre

The Centre was unveiled in a ceremony on 28 September by Sir David Warren, the Chair of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. It cost £3.2m to construct and was made possible by a capital grant from the Office for Students (OfS) to support the development of a state-of-the-art Healthcare Hub. The Centre has been supported by several external partners, including Croydon Health Services, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals, St George's University Hospitals, Kingston Hospital, Sutton Health and Care, Your Healthcare, Central London Community Health, Southwest London and St George's Mental Health, Surrey and Borders Partnership and CCGs. The Centre is named after Mary Seacole, a British-Jamaican nurse known for her role in supporting British soldiers during the Crimean War. The facility bears a mural, painted by Alban Low, which portrays her likeness alongside images of her caring for British soldiers and the medals she received for doing so.

### Accommodation

Digby Stuart College
* Bede House
* Elm Grove Hall
* Lee House
* Newman House
* Shaw House
Froebel College
* Aspen House
* Chadwick Hall - Shortlisted for the Stirling Prize for excellence in architecture in 2018.
* Garden Court
* Lawrence
* Linden House
* Mount Clare
* New Court
* Old Court
* Willow HouseThe Southlands Lake around the area of Southlands College.
Southlands College
* Aldersgate and Epworth Court
* Wesley Hall
Whitelands College
* Beverley and Cheltenham
* Durham and Gilesgate
* Kings and Melrose
* Sutherland and Walpole

## Roehampton Students' Union (RSU)

The RSU is the main organisation of student representation at the university. It is led by student officers elected by the student body and aims to promote the interests and welfare of all those studying at Roehampton. It is also a focal point for social activities and is responsible for organising events like the Summer Ball, Summer Ball being the biggest event of the academic year. Attracting over 2000 students and held on campus, the event attracts a variety of musical and entertainment acts. The RSU also organises nights out in London, some of these consist of the Clapham grand once a month, fez club Putney on Wednesday nights and the union's special event the Bop hosted at the union bar. The Union itself has 12 different bars, cafes and restaurants spread around the campus.
In September 2013 Roehampton Students' Union was awarded £226,900 from NUS Students' Green Fund for a sustainability initiative with a focus on urban food growing. The project is called Growhampton. Growhampton runs a cafe, the Hive, alongside a regular market day, where food produced by students and small local organisations is sold. In June 2015, Wandsworth Council awarded Growhampton funds to launch a food education outreach programme, which now operates in Wandsworth schools, youth groups and community groups, with a focus on food growing. Growhampton also works directly with a local charities, including Regenerate and Paradise Co-op. This initiative has supported the community through efforts such as Project Grow, a gardening exchange between students and the elderly, and Soil in the City, a program that provides local young people with a space for nature and sustainability-focused activities. More recently, Growhampton has partnered with local charity Regenerate, Heathmere Primary School, and Rackets Cubed to distribute a weekly community box of fresh produce to over 200 local families, with positive feedback from recipients
The Union runs Fresh Network for student media.

## Third Row Dance Company

The Third Row Dance Company is a company for undergraduate dance students, led by students. Founded in 2008, the company is made up of dancers selected through an audition process. It commissions professional choreographers to create works, in order for the dancers to gain experience of the professional dance world, which are performed to other students both within the university and outside. Guest choreographers have included Australian dancer and choreographer Daniel Riley, formerly of Bangarra Dance Theatre and since late 2021 artistic director of the Australian Dance Theatre.

## People associated with Roehampton University
### Notable alumni

Amongst the alumni of the University of Roehampton, and other institutions that fall under that banner are:
* Niki and Sammy Albon, YouTubers
* Toby Anstis, radio DJ
* Mike Bailey, actor
* Lyn Brown, politician
* Jack Garratt, singer
* Jon Gilbert, bibliographer
* Jon Goodman, footballer
* Matt Henry, actor and singer
* Rachel John, actress and singer
* Allyson Jule, professor/author
* Daniel Kitson, comedian
* Samira Makhmalbaf, filmmaker
* Helen Metcalf, educator/politician
* Alize Mounter, former Miss England
* Beverly Naya, actress
* Brody Neuenschwander, artist and calligrapher
* Danielle Perez, former Miss Gibraltar
* Rita Ramnani, actress and dancer
* Chris Robshaw, Harlequins and England rugby captain
* David Rossdale, Bishop of Grimsby
* Djoumin Sangaré, footballer
* Darren Shan, author
* Joe Tillen, footballer
* Deepak Tripathi, historian
* Lamorna Watts, actress
* Tim Woolcock, painter
* Joshua Mason Akinwunmi, racing driver

### Chancellors and vice-chancellors

Sandip Verma, Baroness Verma was appointed the Chancellor in 2022. Dame Jacqueline Wilson was appointed Chancellor of the university in August 2014, she succeeded the first Chancellor John Simpson (2004–2014). Jacqueline Wilson retired from the role in 2020. Jacqueline is also a Teaching Fellow, who teaches modules.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university is Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard, who succeeded Professor Paul O'Prey in May 2019. Former Vice-Chancellor O'Prey was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list for his services to higher education and the literary history of the First World War.