University of Leeds

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{{Infobox_University |name = University of Leeds |latin_name = |image = |motto = et augebitur scientia (and knowledge will be increased) |established = 1904, origins from 1831 (Leeds School of Medicine) |type = Public |staff = 7,581 <ref name="facts"> University of Leeds Facts & Figures </ref> |chancellor = Melvyn Bragg, Lord Bragg of Wigton |vice_chancellor = Professor Michael Arthur |head_label = |head = |students = 32,241 (undergraduate & postgraduate degree programmes), 32,602 (short courses) <ref name="facts" /> |city = Leeds |country = United Kingdom |free_label = Turnover |free = £345 million (GBP) <ref name="facts" /> |affiliations = WUN, Yorkshire Universities, White Rose University Consortium |website = www.leeds.ac.uk }}

Image:Leedsuniversity.JPG The University of Leeds, England, is one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom and the most popular by applicants, with 52,444 applicants in 2003 for 7,228 places (UCAS).

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Location

The main campus is located one mile (1.6 km) north of the city centre of Leeds, in the county of West Yorkshire in northern England. The campus is within easy walking distance from the city and Headingley (a popular location to live for students). The main entrance to the campus for visitors by car is on Woodhouse Lane (A660), near the Parkinson Building (also known as University tower).

In addition to the main campus, there are also satellite locations at Wakefield and Bretton Hall in West Bretton.

The surrounding countryside around Leeds includes the picturesque Yorkshire Dales and Ilkley Moor, and the historic spa towns of Harrogate, Ilkley and Knaresborough. All are within easy reach by car, train or bus.

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History

The various bodies that were to become the university were initially founded in the second half of the 19th century in response to the need to improve scientific education in the area, especially in the areas of cloth work and medicine. They also espoused a general principle found in the establishment of other academic bodies in northern cities at the time, namely to challenge the "exclusivity of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, which served only the needs of the Anglican aristocracy and gentry." (Origins). These bodies were initially to become part of the federal Victoria University, but following the enthusiasm of the other member institutions - in Manchester and Liverpool - to break away and form their own city Universities, Leeds did the same. In 1904, King Edward VII granted the University of Leeds a charter as an independent body. In August 2001, the University merged with Bretton Hall College.

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Present day

As of 2004, the University has an excellent reputation for teaching and provides a wide range of courses for students. During this academic year (2004-5) over 31,500 students are attached to 700 different first-degree programmes and 312 postgraduate degree programmes. A further 52,000 men and women are enrolled on short courses with the university. It enjoys an excellent reputation in many different subjects, with more students studying languages and physical sciences than at any other UK institution. It has also developed expertise in more distinctive and rare specialist areas such as colour chemistry, fire science and aviation technology with pilot studies.

Leeds is also a leading research institution, and a member of the Russell Group of Universities. It is committed to working with the private sector and invests heavily in realising the commercial potential of its academic developments. Leeds attracts the highest level of industrial funding of any university in the UK.

The current Chancellor is Lord Bragg of Wigton and the Vice Chancellor (as of 1 September 2004) is Professor Michael Arthur.

In December 2004, financial pressures forced the University's governing body (Council) to decide to close the Bretton campus (along with the University's other satellite site in Wakefield). Activities currently at Bretton will be moved to the main University campus in the summer of 2007 (allowing all current Bretton-based students to complete their studies there). There has been substantial opposition to the closure by the Bretton students, many of whom feel that it degrades the quality of their degree.

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Facilities

Leeds University Library is spread over six locations and holds, in total, 2.7 million books, 20,000 print and electronic journals, 600 databases and 130,000 electronic books . The main arts and social sciences library is known as the Brotherton Library, while the main science and student library is the Edward Boyle Library (both on the main campus).

There are 9,000 personal computers available across the campus along with 150 Sun computers and servers, 8 high performance Sun servers and 256 supercomputers.

The university has 496 hectares (1,230 acres) of land, with the main campus taking up 40 hectares (98 acres).

The university's student union, Leeds University Union, includes numerous shops and bars and an award-winning nightclub, and is one of the largest student union operations in the UK.

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Accommodation

For first year students, there is accommodation provided in either catered or self-catered rooms. Bodington Hall is the University's biggest hall of residence, housing around 1200 students, catered and self-catered.

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Chancellors

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Vice chancellors

  • Sir Nathan Bodington, MA, LITTD, LLD, 1904–10
  • Sir Michael Ernest Sadler, KCSI, CB, LLD, LITTD, 1911–23
  • Sir James Black Baillie, OBE, MA, DPHIL, LLD, 1924–38
  • Bernard Mouat Jones, DSO, MA, DCL, LLD, 1938–1948
  • Sir Charles Richard Morris (Baron Morris of Grasmere), KCMG, MA, LLD, DLITT, 1948–63
  • Sir Roger Bentham Stevens, GCMG, MA, LLD, 1963–70
  • The Rt Hon Lord Boyle of Handsworth, CH, MA, LLD, DLITT, HONFRCS, 1970–81
  • Professor William Walsh, MA, (Acting Vice-Chancellor), 1981–83
  • Sir Edward W. Parkes, DL, SCD, FENG, 1983–91
  • Professor Sir Alan G. Wilson, 1991-2004
  • Professor Michael Arthur, 2004-
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Noted alumni

Famous graduates include:

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Noted faculty

Famous lecturers include:

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External links

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Notes

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