Roehampton University: A Blend of History, Campus Life, and Global Opportunities
For many, the dream of studying abroad is a long-held aspiration, fueled by a desire for new experiences and a broader perspective. London, with its rich history, diverse culture, and global connections, often emerges as a top choice for international students. Within London, the University of Roehampton offers a unique blend of academic rigor, a supportive community, and a vibrant campus life. This article explores the history of Roehampton University, delves into the details of campus life, and highlights the opportunities it provides for students seeking a transformative educational experience.
A Historical Foundation
The University of Roehampton has a rich history rooted in the development of education for disadvantaged communities. Its origins can be traced back to the 19th century with the establishment of four distinct colleges:
- Southlands College: Founded in 1872 by the Methodist Church in Battersea, Southlands College began as a teacher training college for women. It transitioned to coeducation in 1965, expanding its reach and impact.
- Digby Stuart College: Established in 1874, Digby Stuart College was founded as a teacher training college for Roman Catholic women.
- Froebel College: This secular college, founded in 1892, was established to further the values of Friedrich Fröbel, the German educationalist who pioneered a holistic view of child development. Grove House, a Grade II* listed building, is part of Froebel College.
- All four colleges were founded to address the need to educate poor and disadvantaged children.
In 1976, these four colleges joined forces to create the Roehampton Institute of Higher Education. This marked a significant step in the institution's evolution, leading to research degree-awarding powers in 1998. In 2000, Roehampton became part of the Federal University of Surrey as the University of Surrey Roehampton. Finally, in 2004, it achieved full university status as Roehampton University. In 2011, the university was rebranded as the University of Roehampton. In 2020 the University of Roehampton announced a partnership with Croydon College (Croydon University Centre).
Campus Life: A Unique Blend of City and Nature
One of the most appealing aspects of Roehampton University is its campus environment. Unlike many universities in London that are situated in bustling urban areas, Roehampton offers a more tranquil and green setting in southwest London. This allows students to enjoy the best of both worlds: easy access to the cultural attractions and opportunities of London, while also benefiting from a relaxed and spacious campus.
The university boasts extensive green spaces, including lawns, ponds, and even an old orchard. Students can often be found picnicking between classes or playing football on the lawn near Whitelands College. On the main campus, walking between Froebel and Digby Stuart, you can walk by Frobel Lake and past the old orchard. This green environment provides a welcome respite from the concrete jungle of central London. As someone who grew up in the suburbs and appreciates nature, this aspect of Roehampton was particularly appealing.
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Accommodation: Creating a Home Away From Home
Finding a comfortable and convenient place to live is crucial for settling into university life. The University of Roehampton guarantees on-campus housing to all study abroad students. Students are housed in single rooms with internet connection and shared kitchen facilities and shared bathrooms. All accommodations are self-catering. The university offers a variety of accommodation options, ensuring that students can find a living space that suits their needs and preferences.
Many students live in halls of residence, which provide a supportive and social environment. These halls often have shared kitchen facilities and common areas, fostering a sense of community among residents. The university also has an Off-campus Accommodation Officer. The flat I rented was located just five minutes from campus and was a lovely little four bedroom, two bathroom, one kitchen/living room house share. As I had found a landlord through the university, everyone I was living with were students of UoR or recent graduates or UoR. My bedroom was a small single bed (meaning a twin bed) by the front door of the flat and under the stairs which I loving referred to as my “Harry Potter Room.” Upon first arriving to the flat, I remember experiencing absolute culture shock as accommodation outside the USA is very different from what many of us were used to. The room was smaller than I had originally realized, under the stairs, and had the radiator still in it for the entire flat. Across the hall, there was a bathroom the size of a closet with a toilet and a shower. It took a bit of time to get used to it all, but soon enough I found myself loving how cozy and comforting my “Harry Potter Room” was and enjoyed being the only one brave enough to use the compact shower across the hall from my room. Despite the fact the flat as a whole was much smaller than what a typical American apartment would be for four people, it did the trick.
Academic Excellence and Research Opportunities
The University of Roehampton is committed to providing high-quality education and fostering a vibrant research environment. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, sciences, and the arts.
Roehampton is recognised as the best UK modern university for research in the REF 2021. Overall 77% of the research submitted was ranked as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent', an increase of 11% since REF2014. 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 ranked highly in London in these subject areas. 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.
The university houses several research centres that focus on addressing critical societal challenges. These include:
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- Centre for Research in Psychological Wellbeing: Works to improve our understanding of factors that influence health, mental health, and wellbeing.
- Centre for Integrated Research in Life and Health Sciences: Promoting factors supporting healthy living, this centre tackles health inequalities through an interdisciplinary approach.
- Centre for Sustainability and Responsible Management: focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Student Life: A Diverse and Engaging Community
Life at the University of Roehampton extends far beyond the classroom. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and societies to cater to diverse interests. Students can join sports teams, cultural groups, academic societies, and volunteer organizations.
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 also organises events and represents students at the university level. 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. 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 now called Growhampton. Growhampton runs a cafe, the Hive, alongside a regular market day, where food produced by students and small local organisations is sold. Growhampton is a sustainability project focused on food education and urban agriculture. 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.
Opportunities for Personal and Professional Growth
Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. Immersing oneself in a new culture, navigating unfamiliar situations, and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds can broaden one's perspective and enhance adaptability.
The University of Roehampton recognizes the importance of providing students with opportunities to develop their skills and gain practical experience. The university offers a variety of work placement and internship opportunities, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Studying outside of one's home country pushes individuals outside of their comfort zones, fostering resilience and independence. It also provides a platform for developing intercultural communication skills, which are highly valued in today's globalized world.
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A Gateway to London and Beyond
One of the key advantages of studying at the University of Roehampton is its location in London. London is a global hub for culture, business, and innovation, offering a wealth of opportunities for students to explore and engage with the world.
The city boasts world-class museums, theaters, art galleries, and historical landmarks. Students can easily access these attractions and immerse themselves in London's vibrant cultural scene. If my friends and I are not at a museum, you can often find us at the theater. London is the perfect place for those who love theater and musicals. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre located in Central London performs Shakespeare’s works sometimes with a twist and is my favorite place to go see a performance. The best part is, tickets are cheap and student friendly! Groundling tickets (meaning you’re standing throughout the show) are only £5 and offer a fun and sometimes interactive experience. What I truly love about seeing a Shakespeare performance in the standing room only area is that you are watching it as Shakespeare intended!
London's extensive transportation network makes it easy to travel to other parts of the UK and Europe. With six major airports, London serves as a gateway to international destinations.
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