View source for University of Greater Manchester

{{Short description|University in Bolton, Greater Manchester  England}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox university
 | image_name             = File:Shield_of_the_University_of_Bolton.svg
 | image_size             = 150px
 | caption                = Coat of arms
 | name                   = University of Greater Manchester
 | latin_name             = 
 | former_name            = University of Bolton
 | motto                  = {{langx|la|Sapientia Superat Moras}}
 | mottoeng               = Wisdom Overcomes Difficulty
 | established            = 1824 – Bolton Mechanics' Institute<br />1982 – Bolton Institute of Higher Education<br />2004 – gained [[Universities in the United Kingdom|university status]]
 | type                   = [[public university|Public]]
 | endowment              = £160,000 (2009)<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/AboutUs/KeyFacts/Images%202009-10/Student%20Numbers.xls |format=PDF |title=Financial Report Year Ended 31 July 2009 |publisher=University of Bolton |access-date=12 July 2013 |archive-date=1 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101165845/http://www.bolton.ac.uk/AboutUs/KeyFacts/Images%202009-10/Student%20Numbers.xls |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = 700+<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/university/aboutus/facts.html |title=Key Facts |publisher=University of Bolton |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013042432/http://www.bolton.ac.uk/university/aboutus/facts.html |archive-date=13 October 2006}}</ref>
 | chancellor             = [[George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews]]
 | vice_chancellor        = [[George Holmes (vice-chancellor)|George Holmes]] (Suspended)
 | students               = {{HESA student population|INSTID=10006841}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation">{{HESA citation}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = {{HESA undergraduate population|INSTID=10006841}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation"/>
 | postgrad               = {{HESA postgraduate population|INSTID=10006841}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation"/>
 | city                   = [[Bolton]]
 | state                  = Greater Manchester
 | country                = England, UK
 | coor                   = {{coord|53|34|25|N|2|26|9|W|display=title|type:edu}}
 | campus                 = Urban
 | colours                = Gold, navy blue {{color box|Gold}}{{color box|Navy}}
 | affiliations           = [[Million+]]<br />[[North West Universities Association]]<br />[[Universities UK]]
 | footnotes              = 
 | website                = {{url|greatermanchester.ac.uk/}}
 | address                = 
 | logo                   = University of Greater Manchester logo.png
}}

The '''University of Greater Manchester''' (legally: '''The University of Greater Manchester Higher Education Corporation'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bolton.ac.uk/about/governance/|title = Governance | work=University of Bolton }}</ref>) is a [[public university]] in [[Bolton]], [[Greater Manchester]] in England. It was known as the University of Bolton from 2005 until 2024. The university is commonly referred to as a 'post-92' institution, which is a reference to the [[Further and Higher Education Act 1992]]. It has approximately 11,000 students and more than 900 academic and professional staff. 

It is a member of [[Universities UK]], [[MillionPlus|Million+]], and the All-Party Parliamentary University Group. 

==History==
[[File:Eagle Entrance University of Bolton.jpg|thumb|right|Chancellor's Building, October 2010]]

The University of Greater Manchester traces its origins back to 1824<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=MacLeod |first=Donald |date=27 April 2004 |title=Bolton Institute gets coveted university title |url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2004/apr/27/highereducation.newuniversities19922012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> with the founding of Bolton Mechanics' Institute. In 1887, the Committee of the Mechanics' Institute decided that the town's apprentices required technical instruction for the rapidly expanding engineering advances being made at the turn of the 19th century. That resulted in the creation of the new Technical School with student numbers rising to more than 1,500.

In 1926, Bolton Technical School became a college. Fifteen years later, a new building was opened offering a wide range of technical education choices, with engineering the most popular. In 1964, Bolton Technical College and the Bolton Institute of Technology were divided into two separate organisations. A. J. Jenkinson was principal of the Technical College, Bolton College of Education (Technical), and then the first principal of Bolton Institute of Technology.

Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) was formed in 1982 by the merger of the Bolton Institute of Technology and Bolton College of Education. The first principal of BIHE was John McKenzie, who was succeeded by Bob Oxtoby. Oxtoby began the campaign for university status. The university gained its degree awarding powers in 1990.<ref name="BBCNameChange">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=14 September 2023 |title=University of Bolton applies to become University of Greater Manchester |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-66799385 |work=BBC News |access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref> An £8.3&nbsp;million extension project began in 1991 with the purchase of the former Eagle Factory. Bolton Institute was awarded the right to award taught degrees in 1992, with the powers to award research degrees in 1996.<ref name=":0" /> In 1998, Mollie Temple became the third principal and successfully led the institution to achieve university status in 2004.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=27 April 2004 |title=Bolton gets a university |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3663105.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref>

In November 2014, it became the first university in the [[North West England|North West]] to become a [[Living Wage]] employer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/MediaCentre/Articles/2014/Nov2014-01.aspx |title=University a Living Wage leader – University of Bolton |website=bolton.ac.uk |publisher=University of Bolton |access-date=16 July 2015 |archive-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717053904/http://www.bolton.ac.uk/MediaCentre/Articles/2014/Nov2014-01.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2023, the University of Bolton applied to change its name to the University of Greater Manchester, pending a consultation period.<ref name="BBCNameChange" /> The current Vice-Chancellor has claimed that potential employers of graduates are prejudiced because Bolton was not widely known.<ref>{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Richard |date=17 October 2023 |title=Bolton graduates miss out on top jobs because of prejudice, says vice-chancellor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/oct/17/university-of-bolton-graduates-miss-out-on-top-jobs-because-of-prejudice-says-vice-chancellor |work=The Guardian |access-date=20 October 2023}}</ref>

==Campus==
The university is primarily situated on an urban campus between Deane Road and Derby Street in Bolton.<ref name="CampusMap">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bolton.ac.uk/assets/Uploads/HowToFindUsMainReception.pdf |title=Campus Map |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=bolton.ac.uk |publisher=University of Bolton}}</ref> There are two halls of residence, although the university intends to relocate all services on to a single site in the centre of Bolton.
There is an academic centre in [[Ras Al Khaimah]], [[United Arab Emirates]].

===Facilities===
[[File:Eagle Library Aisle Bolton.jpg|thumb|right|The Eagle library, September 2010]]
====Senate House====
Formally known as Deane Tower, Senate House underwent refurbishment in 2004 to become a centre for design disciplines, research, and consultancy services.

====The Chancellor's Building====
After the remodelling and centralisation of the university campus in 2007, a new £2.5&nbsp;million Social Learning Zone for student study and Students' Union bar was built.
The building also houses the university library, student services and coffee shop.<ref name="CampusMap"/>

====Eagle Tower====
The five-storey building houses academic offices and subject areas including art & design, photography, graphics, media studies, special & visual effects, and psychology.<ref name="CampusMap"/>

====Bolton One====
[[File:Bolton One.jpg|thumb|right|The Bolton One building on the university campus, May 2012]]

The Bolton One facility is a £31&nbsp;million, three-way partnership with [[Bolton Council]] and NHS Bolton situated on the university's campus. The university contributed around £7&nbsp;million to the development. The purpose-built centre houses new health, science and sports teaching and research facilities – as well as a sports complex.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/BoltonOne/Home.aspx |title=Welcome to Bolton One |publisher=University of Bolton |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607130452/http://www.bolton.ac.uk/BoltonOne/Home.aspx |archive-date=7 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="CampusMap"/>

====Halls of residence====
The university has approved and recommends Orlando Village halls of residence, which is owned by McComb Bolton Limited.<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Bolton's Student Accommodation Provider |url=https://orlandovillage.co.uk/about/ |website=Orlando Village |access-date=18 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

{{anchor|The Cube fire}}Other accommodation is provided by private landlords. The "Cube" on Bradshawgate<!-- {{location|53.5774|-2.431557|display=inline}}--> was one such building; it was seriously damaged by fire in<!-- Fire began around 8.30pm on 15 November. --> November 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolton fire: crews putting out 'last pockets of fire' at student housing building |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/15/fire-crews-battle-blaze-at-bolton-student-housing-building |access-date=16 November 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=16 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="Wiliams">{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Rob |title=Kind bar staff helped desperate student get her emergency medication after Bolton fire |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/kind-bar-staff-helped-desperate-17269127 |access-date=18 November 2019 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=16 November 2019}}</ref> Eyewitnesses say that the cladding on the building encouraged the spread of the fire. The [[Mayor of Greater Manchester]], [[Andy Burnham]] said, "It does have a type of cladding which does cause concern. There will be many people living in buildings with this cladding today who will be very worried."<ref>{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Vincent |date=16 November 2019 |title=Bolton fire: Government warned over laminate cladding risk before student flat block blaze |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bolton-fire-cladding-student-halls-the-cube-boris-johnson-andy-burnham-high-pressure-laminate-a9205866.html |work=The Independent |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>

====University Collegiate School====
{{main|University Collegiate School}}
UTC Bolton, a [[university technical college]] sponsored by the University of Bolton, was established at the university campus in September 2015. In November 2015, the UTC was officially opened by [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex]] and named the 'Stoller Building' after the philanthropist [[Norman Stoller|Sir Norman Stoller]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/14036352.Royal_visit_2015__Prince_Edward_in_Bolton/ |title=Royal visit 2015: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, to visit Bolton School and University Technical College at the University of Bolton |website=theboltonnews.co.uk |date=17 November 2015 |publisher=Bolton News |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref> In September 2020, the school was renamed [[University Collegiate School]]. It is now a full [[secondary school]] sponsored by the university.

====Growth and future plans====
The university has also announced plans for a new £10&nbsp;million facility for Science and Engineering, which will house its Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering. Construction was set to begin following the completion of the UTC building in September 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/MediaCentre/Articles/2015/Mar2015-01.aspx |title=University Board approves further £25&nbsp;million investment in student teaching facilities – University of Bolton |access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref> There was also to be a renovation and expansion of the current campus through to 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/MediaCentre/Articles/2015/Mar2015-01.aspx |title=University Board approves further £25&nbsp;million investment in student teaching facilities |publisher=University of Bolton |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>

In 2015, the university and Bolton Council announced plans for a new £40&nbsp;million student village, which was planned to accommodate up to 850 students in the heart of Bolton town centre, facing the iconic [[Bolton Museum|Le Mans Crescent]].<ref name="www.bolton.ac.uk Feb2015-11">{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/MediaCentre/Articles/2015/Feb2015-11.aspx |title=New student village for Bolton town centre – University of Bolton |access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref>

====International presence====
The university has an academic centre in [[Ras al-Khaimah]] in the [[United Arab Emirates]] and established international links with a number of overseas academic establishments in [[China]], [[Germany]], [[Greece]], [[Malawi]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/OffCampus/Off-Campus-Locations.aspx |title=Off Campus Locations |publisher=University of Bolton |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>

Since 2009, the University of Bolton has had a partnership with Western International College Ras Al Khaimah with programmes available at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/OffCampus/Location/Ras-Al-Khaimah/Home.aspx |title=University of Bolton Academic Centre: Ras Al Khaimah |publisher=University of Bolton |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>
In December 2011, the University of Bolton launched its academic centre in [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://itpro.lk/node/9208 |title=UK university to launch centre here in Dec. |publisher=ITpro |date=9 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403123154/http://itpro.lk/node/9208 |archive-date=3 April 2012}}</ref> in partnership with the KES Group of Institutions. The university has a [[memorandum of understanding]] with the [[University of the Republic of San Marino]], which promotes cooperation between the two institutions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bolton.ac.uk/study/international/university-of-the-republic-of-san-marino/ |title=University of Bolton signs MOU with The University of the Republic of San Marino |publisher=University of Bolton}}</ref>

===Steam hammer on Deane Campus===
[[File:Hammer at the University - geograph.org.uk - 1521865.jpg|thumb|The hammer at the university, September 2009]]
The University of Bolton's Deane Campus hosts a 50-ton steam hammer, a significant artefact representing Bolton's industrial heritage, used at [[Thomas Walmsley and Sons|Thomas Walmsley]]'s Atlas Forge. 

The steam hammer was originally stationed at the [[Atlas Forge, Bolton|Atlas Forge]], located at the intersection of Bridgeman Street and Fletcher Street. It played a role in the forge's manufacturing processes, primarily reshaping white-hot iron billets into materials prepared for further refinement through rollers. During the 1960s and early 1970s, it was operated by a former steam train driver who transitioned to the steam hammer operator role after the closure of the nearby railway line connecting Bolton to [[Daubhill railway station]] which is now closed as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/comment/4725716.hammer-reminded-me-of-days-at-forge/ |title=Hammer reminded me of days at forge |date=7 November 2009 |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=theboltonnews.co.uk |publisher=The Bolton News}}</ref><ref name="CampusMap"/>

==Organisation and administration==

===Chancellors===
* 2010–2014: [[Patricia Morris, Baroness Morris of Bolton]]
* 2014–2017: [[Ernest Ryder|Sir Ernest Ryder]]
* 2017–present: [[George Philip Nicholas Windsor, Earl of St Andrews]]

On 11 July 2016, the board of governors announced the appointment of Lord St. Andrews as chancellor. The Earl commenced his responsibilities in January 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/MediaCentre/Articles/2016/Jul2016-07.aspx |title=University of Bolton: By Royal Appointment |access-date=11 July 2016}}</ref>

===Vice-chancellors===
* 2005–present: [[George Holmes (vice-chancellor)|George Holmes]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bolton.ac.uk/more/university-leadership |title=University Leadership |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=bolton.ac.uk |publisher=University of Bolton}}</ref>

===2025 inquiry===
In March 2025, accusations of serious misconduct at the university were made concerning payments to managers and accusations of racism, and an inquiry was launched by the university which commissioned Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to investigate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/07/university-of-greater-manchester-allegations-racism-financial-misconduct | title=Police look into claims of racism and financial misconduct at University of Greater Manchester | work=The Guardian | date=7 March 2025 | last1=Adams | first1=Richard }}</ref>

==Academic profile==

===Reputation and rankings===
{{Infobox UK university rankings
| ARWU_N = 
| ARWU_W =
| QS_N =
| QS_W =
| THE_N =
| THE_W =
| LINE_1 = 0
| Complete = 111
| The_Guardian = 54
| Times/Sunday_Times = 126
}}

''The Times'' said in 2008 that "the university is not research-driven, but engineering, architecture and the built environment, social work and social policy all contained some 'world-leading' research in the 2008 assessments".<ref name="Profile University of Bolton">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2166305.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726204509/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2166305.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 July 2008|title=Profile: University of Bolton|work=The Times|location=London|access-date=27 May 2009}} {{subscription required}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' ranked the University of Bolton as #38 in the United Kingdom in 2023 and #6 based on students' satisfaction with teaching.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2022/sep/24/the-guardian-university-guide-2023-the-rankings |title=The best UK universities 2023 – league table |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>

==Student life==
The University of Bolton has a diverse student population. About 13% of home students are from ethnic minority communities, with about 7% of its students being classed as international. That portion of students come from 70 countries outside the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/AboutUs/KeyFacts/StudentProfile.aspx |title=Student Profile |publisher=University of Bolton |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102085959/http://bolton.ac.uk/AboutUs/KeyFacts/StudentProfile.aspx |archive-date=2 November 2010}}</ref> The university also has a chaplaincy accommodating several different faiths.

===Cycling===
In June 2020, the University of Bolton launched a bike offer scheme in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The university purchased one thousand bicycles and loaned them to students for commuting during the pandemic. 

The university also organised cycling "refresher" sessions for interested students, aiming to promote safety and physical activity. The university's vice-chancellor posited that in addition to [[cycling]]'s environmental impact, the scheme would help address students' concerns about public transport during the pandemic and foster physical well-being.
<ref name="Bikes!">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=17 June 2020 |title=University of Bolton bike offer will help students 'avoid public transport' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-53081592 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref>

===Students' Union===
The main Students' Union (SU) building is on Deane Road at the centre of the University Campus. As well as being home to the SU bar (The Vista) and the hub of many social events, the union provides numerous other roles such as student support and advice (The Advice Unit), representation and sports societies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boltonsu.com/ |title=Students' Union Home |access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref>

===Sport===
Bolton has many different sports teams competing in the BUCS leagues. Teams include: basketball, netball, football, hockey, rugby league, and rugby union.

Bolton One also offers students an eight-lane, 25-metre competition swimming pool, 50 foot climbing wall and sports hall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bolton.ac.uk/student-life/sport-and-wellness |title=Sport & Wellness |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=bolton.ac.uk |publisher=University of Bolton}}</ref>

==Sponsorship==
On 17 February 2016, it was announced that the University of Bolton would become the principal shirt sponsors of the [[Manchester Giants]] basketball team for the 2016 season. On 2 April 2016, the University again became the sponsors of [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] in an agreement which was initially planned to last until Summer 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-university-of-bolton-new-shirt-sponsors-3037834.aspx |title=Club statement: University of Bolton new shirt sponsors |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-date=6 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506010522/http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-university-of-bolton-new-shirt-sponsors-3037834.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bolton Wanderers' stadium remained The University of Bolton Stadium until 2023 when it became the Toughsheet Community Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=20 February 2023 |title=Bolton Wanderers fans poke fun at stadium's new sponsorship name |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-64704208 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Armorial of UK universities]]
*[[:Category:Alumni of the University of Greater Manchester|Alumni of the University of Greater Manchester]]
*[[:Category:Academics of the University of Greater Manchester|Academics of the University of Greater Manchester]]
*[[Normal school#United Kingdom|College of Education]]
*[[List of universities in the United Kingdom]]

==References==
<!--- See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] on how to create references using<ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically -->
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.bolton.ac.uk/|University of Greater Manchester}}
* [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-building-regulations-and-fire-safety-interim-report Hackitt Report on Building regulations and fire safety (interim)]

{{Universities and colleges in North West England}}
{{Universities in the United Kingdom}}
{{Campaign for Mainstream Universities (Million+)}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Greater Manchester, University Of}}
[[Category:University of Greater Manchester| ]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1982|University of Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bolton]]
[[Category:Universities UK]]
[[Category:Universities in Greater Manchester]]