Coventry University facts for kids
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Former names
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Coventry Polytechnic (1987–1992) Lanchester Polytechnic (1970–1987) |
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| Motto | Latin: Arte et Industria |
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Motto in English
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By Art and Industry |
| Type | Public |
| Established |
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| Endowment | £1.17 million (2023) |
| Budget | £480.6 million (2022/23) |
| Chancellor | Eng Ahmed El Sewedy |
| Vice-Chancellor | John Latham |
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Academic staff
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1,890 |
| Students | (2015/16) |
| Undergraduates | (2015/16) |
| Postgraduates | (2015/16) |
| Location |
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England
52°24′29″N 1°30′22″W / 52.40805°N 1.50600°W |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colours | Coventry Blue |
| Affiliations |
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Coventry University is a public university located in Coventry, England. It is a place where students can study many different subjects and get degrees. The university started a long time ago, in 1843, as the Coventry School of Design.
Today, Coventry University is one of two universities in the city. It has campuses not only in Coventry but also in London, Scarborough, and even Wrocław in Poland. The main campus is in the center of Coventry. The university offers about 300 different courses for students. It also has 11 research centers that study many topics, from farming to the future of transport.
The university earns a lot of money each year, which helps it run its programs. It is known for its excellent teaching, having received a "Gold" rating in a special review called the Teaching Excellence Framework. Coventry University is also part of a group called the University Alliance.
Contents
History of Coventry University
The story of Coventry University began in 1843 with the Coventry School of Art and Design. Over the years, its name changed several times. It was called the Municipal Art School and later the College of Art.
In 1961, a new college opened called the Lanchester College of Technology. It was named after a famous car engineer, Frederick Lanchester. This college was built to offer advanced technical training.
In 1970, the Lanchester College of Technology joined with the College of Art and another college in Rugby. Together, they formed Lanchester Polytechnic. A polytechnic was a type of college that focused on practical and technical subjects. In 1987, its name changed again to Coventry Polytechnic. Finally, in 1992, it became a full university and was named Coventry University.
To attract students from all over the world, a campus was opened in London in 2010. In 2012, "Coventry University College" was created. It offered courses at a lower cost, making education more affordable.
Coventry University has been recognized as one of the best "modern universities" in the UK. This means it's one of the newer universities that have achieved high standards. In 2017, Margaret Casely-Hayford became the new leader, or chancellor, of the university.
The main campus in Coventry has been getting a big upgrade, with new buildings for science, health, and student homes. The university also bought a large farm called Ryton Organic Gardens in 2019. This farm is now used for studies in farming and nature.
University Campuses
Coventry Campus Facilities
The main campus of Coventry University is located in the center of Coventry. It covers about 33 acres and is close to famous landmarks like Coventry Cathedral. The campus has a mix of new buildings and older ones that have been updated.
A key building on campus is The Hub, which opened in 2011. This building is a central spot for students. It houses the Students' Union, offers student support services, and has places to eat. In 2012, a new engineering building opened. It has cool features like a real Harrier jump jet and flight simulators for students to learn from. Both The Hub and the engineering building are designed to be environmentally friendly.
The university's library opened in 2000 and has a unique look with turrets. It holds many books, magazines, and videos. The library is designed to use natural light, making it a bright place to study.
Some buildings on campus used to be something else. For example, a former car engine factory now holds the Coventry Business School. An old cinema is now home to the School of Media and Performing Arts.
Next to the main campus is the Coventry University Technology Park. This is a business park owned by the university. Small businesses work here and get support from the university. They can also use the university's library.
Many buildings on campus are named after important people or groups from the local area. These include car companies like Armstrong Siddeley and famous people like the writer George Eliot.
Campus Gallery
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The Priory Building, used for pre-courses
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The Ellen Terry building is a former 20th century cinema that was refurbished in 2000.
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The Graham Sutherland building was the main building for the Art and Design faculty. It has since been demolished and replaced with the Delia Derbyshire building.
CU Coventry Campus
CU Coventry was set up in 2012 on the main campus. It's a part of Coventry University but has its own staff and facilities. It offers full-time and part-time courses in subjects like accounting and marketing. The courses are flexible, and the fees are often lower than typical university costs. This makes it easier for students to fit studies around their lives.
CU London Campus
CU London opened in 2017 in Dagenham, East London. It offers many full-time and part-time courses. The campus focuses on education that is "high quality, low-cost, and career-focused." It helps local students by offering money to make higher education more available to them. In 2020, CU London also opened a new campus on the Greenwich Peninsula.
CU Scarborough Campus
The university opened CU Scarborough in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 2016. This new facility is part of a big development project. It offers courses in Law, Science, and Engineering. The site also has a new sports village and a college for younger students aged 14–18.
Coventry University London Campus
Coventry University's London campus started in 2010. It was created to attract more students from other countries and to build the university's international reputation. This campus is located in the City of London, about 100 miles from Coventry.
Coventry University Wrocław Campus
Coventry University Wrocław is a campus that opened in September 2020 in Poland. It offers courses taught in English, including IT, cybersecurity, and business. This is the first foreign university in Poland. Students can also take part in exchange programs with the UK campuses.
How the University is Organized
University Leadership
Coventry University is led by its Chancellor, Margaret Casely-Hayford. This role is mostly ceremonial. The daily running of the university is handled by the Vice-Chancellor, John Latham, who has been in this role since 2014.
University Colleges and Schools
The university is divided into different colleges, and each college has several schools. This helps organize the many subjects taught. In 2023, the university updated its structure.
- College of the Arts and Society
- Coventry School of Art and Design
- School of Media and Performing Arts
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities
- College of Business and Law
- Coventry Business School
- Coventry Law School
- College of Engineering, Environment and Science
- Civil Engineering, Architecture and Building
- Geography, Environment and Disaster Management
- Mathematics and Physics
- Mechanical, Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering
- Aerospace, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- School of Sciences
- School of Health and Care
- Allied Health Professionals
- Nursing, Midwifery and Health
This School of Health is now separate from the main college structure.
What Students Learn and Achieve
Coventry University offers many different degrees. There are over 130 undergraduate degrees and 100 postgraduate degrees. They also offer other qualifications like foundation degrees. The university has even introduced unique courses like disaster management and health journalism.
In recent years, the university had many students, including thousands of undergraduates and postgraduates. Most students come from state schools. The university is a big employer in Coventry, with over 1,800 teaching staff.
The cost of tuition for students can change depending on the course. The university has seen more students wanting to join, even when other universities had fewer applications.
University Research
Coventry University also does important research. In 2008, research in subjects like health, computer science, and art and design was called "world-leading." This means the research was among the best in the world.
University Rankings
| National rankings | |
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| Complete (2021) | 58= |
| Guardian (2021) | 42 |
| Global rankings | |
| ARWU (2020) | 901–1000 |
| QS (2021) |
558= |
| THE (2021) | 601–800 |
| British Government assessment | |
| Teaching Excellence Framework | Gold |
Coventry University is highly ranked in the UK. For example, The Guardian University league tables ranked it 38th in 2023. It also ranks well in international lists, being among the top universities worldwide.
Some of its strongest subjects include Food Science, Hospitality, and Drama. In 2023, The Guardian ranked its International Relations program as 7th best in the UK.
The university also cares about the environment. In 2013, it received a "First Class" rating for its environmental and ethical performance. A survey in 2013 showed that 90% of students were happy with their courses. In 2017 and 2023, the university received a Gold rating for its teaching quality.
University Awards
Coventry University has won several awards. In 2007, its Industrial Design department won the Queen's Anniversary Prize for educating future leaders in car design. In 2020, its Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering won the same award.
The university's acting degree program has won many international awards for its "Immersive Telepresence in Theatre" project. This project allows students to practice and perform together from different locations using special technology. It has won Gold awards and has been recognized as an example of innovative education.
In 2011, Coventry was named 'Entrepreneurial University of the Year'. This award recognized its focus on helping students develop new ideas and businesses. The university has also been honored with a Queen's Award for its success in international trade.
Student Life at Coventry University
Each year, the university holds a public show where final-year art and design students display their creative projects.
Student Housing
Students can live in housing provided by the university or by private companies. Coventry University owns several buildings for students, like Bishop Gate and Godiva Place. It also manages other student homes. In total, the university can house over 3,500 students.
Students' Union and Activities
The Coventry University Students' Union (CUSU) is a group that represents students. It helps students with advice and supports over 100 sports clubs and societies. CUSU also runs its own nightclub.
The university's sports teams are called Team Phoenix. They compete against other universities, including the University of Warwick. Coventry also has a team in Formula Student, where they design and race their own cars.
Students at Coventry University also have their own radio station called Source Radio.
Notable People from Coventry University
Many important people have studied or worked at Coventry University and its earlier colleges.
University Leaders (Principals and Vice-Chancellors)
- Alan Richmond (1970–1972)
- Keith Legg (1972–1975)
- Geoffrey Holroyde (1975–1987)
- Michael Goldstein (1987–2004)
- Madeleine Atkins (2004–2013)
- John Latham (2013–present)
Famous Alumni
Many former students of Coventry University have become well-known in different fields:
- Neil Carson, a top business leader.
- Nick Buckles, former CEO of a big security company.
- Sultan Al Jaber, a politician and CEO.
- Ian Callum, a famous car designer for companies like Aston Martin.
- Steve Mattin, another well-known car designer.
- David Borrow, a former politician and Member of Parliament.
- Tobi Brown (TBJZL), a popular YouTuber.
- Nira Chamberlain, a mathematician.
- Matthew Macklin, a professional boxer.
- Hannah Cockroft, a British wheelchair racer and world record holder.
- Andrea McLean, a television presenter.
- Pauline Black, a singer, actress, and author.
- John Kettley, a meteorologist (weather forecaster).
- Ralph Debbas, CEO of W Motors, who designed the Lykan HyperSport car.
- Gideon Coe, a presenter and journalist.
- Jerry Dammers, a musician.
- Spencer Kelly, a presenter for the BBC's technology program.
Images for kids
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The Priory Building, used for pre-courses
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The Ellen Terry building is a former 20th century cinema that was refurbished in 2000.
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The Graham Sutherland building was the main building for the Art and Design faculty. It has since been demolished and replaced with the Delia Derbyshire building.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Coventry para niños
