University Centre Shrewsbury counts down to welcoming undergraduates

The countdown is on to the arrival of the pioneering students on Sunday September 27, 2015.

They will be studying subjects from a choice of 13 undergraduate degree courses (12 full-time and one part-time) offered at the University Centre in 2015, including History; English; Applied Psychology; Banking and Finance; Biochemistry and Sport Management.

In one of the few partnerships of its kind, the University of Chester and Shropshire Council are establishing University Centre Shrewsbury. The institution aims to increase Higher Education prospects, giving students the employment skills they need alongside academic rigour, and to have as much of a positive impact as possible locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Part of Mardol House, in Shrewsbury town centre, is being converted into accommodation for the students. An application has been made to enable Guildhall, near Mardol House, to be converted into the main site for teaching and learning and a student accommodation strategy is being progressed for the longer term.

Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “It is a privilege for us to be part of the inception of a new University, and we are looking forward to welcoming our first undergraduate students in 200 days’ time.

“We are working with people across Shropshire, Chester and beyond to develop University Centre Shrewsbury and are catching up on what could have been, almost four centuries ago. If Shropshire university proponent Richard Baxter had been successful in creating a university in the 1640s, Shrewsbury would have been England’s third university town after Oxford and Cambridge.

“All the different aspects of the University Centre are taking shape; our first undergraduates will enjoy a rounded and vibrant experience offering unprecedented opportunities, in a beautiful setting.”

Councillor Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, added: “After much planning it’s incredibly exciting to think that we will be welcoming our first undergraduates in just 200 days’ time. In the past few months a huge amount of work has been carried out to ensure that University Centre Shrewsbury will be ready to welcome its first undergraduates this autumn and everything is coming together nicely.

“The new University will be one of the best things that has happened in Shrewsbury and in Shropshire for a long time. We estimate that it will generate around £60m for the Shropshire economy each year once it grows to 2,000 students. But, just as importantly it will improve access to Higher Education for Shropshire-based students, raise the profile of Shropshire, and help to better meet the needs of businesses across the county and beyond.”

Postgraduate students started courses at University Centre Shrewsbury in autumn 2014. A total of 20 undergraduate and postgraduate courses are being offered in 2015 and 2016, with more options being explored.