Birth
of new era as two become one
The
University embarks on a new era this week, with up to
30,000 students due to register for courses at the University's
three campuses in Leeds, Wakefield and West Bretton. We
now have over 22,000 full-time students - more than any
other UK university - and are currently set to become
the country's largest higher education institution within
four years.
The
first steps – open day at Leeds
The
merger with Bretton Hall brings a fresh wave of energy
and creativity to Leeds, as the extensive range of knowledge,
skills and experience from both institutions comes together.
The University will further strengthen its central role
in the artistic and cultural life of West Yorkshire, which,
with its outstanding education and performance across
music, theatre, dance, art, literature and new medias,
is now the cultural axis of the north.
Wakefield
now has its first University centre and many have an intimate
history with the campus, formerly a maternity hospital.
Cynthia Myers from Rotherham, who is to take a graduate
diploma in counselling, was herself born there in 1941,
and gave birth to her daughter at the hospital in 1962.
She said: "Being accepted by the University is beyond
my wildest dreams, but the fact that I'll be studying
at Manygates is wonderful. It was only when I went to
the interview that I realised where the course was run,
and it felt beautiful to be back there as I've got such
lovely memories of the place."
Second
year dramaturgy student Graham Whitehead is one of the
returning students who are noticing many changes taking
place this summer at Bretton Hall: "The transition has
been really smooth, but there's a different look to campus,"
he said. "It really feels like a university now."
This
is a year for landmarks, as the first Ogden scholarship
students start their degree courses. Of the twenty-six
youngsters from the South Yorkshire coal communities who
were supported through their A levels under the scheme,
twenty have gained places at university, with three coming
to Leeds to study courses in languages, medicine and law.
The
University's relationship with the colleges of Trinity
and All Saints, and York St John was also taken to a new
level, as both became accredited institutions, allowing
them to approve and deliver courses leading to University
degrees, diplomas and certificates.
- A
regular bus service runs between Bretton Hall and
Leeds, leaving from the University at 5 and 35 minutes
past the hour, and from Bretton Hall at 17 and 47
minutes past the hour. The journey takes just over
an hour. This service is available Monday to Friday,
with a service between the city centre and Bretton
Hall on Saturdays.
