One of Britain's fastest growing universities, The University of Bolton saw an increase in student applications of 34% in 2004/5. We boast a proud tradition of teaching, learning and research, and a dynamic future lies ahead. The university is developing an exciting new strategic plan, under the direction of the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, who is seeking to realise even greater potential.

The Privy Council confirmed The University of Bolton’s choice of title on 27 January 2005. Bolton Institute officially became the UK’s newest university when our successful bid for University title was approved in April 2004.

The University’s history is rooted in the creation of the Mechanic Institutes, many of which became the first civic universities. Our lineage began with the formation of the Bolton Mechanics Institute in 1824. Today over 8,000 students study at the University of Bolton for qualifications ranging from Foundation Degrees to Masters and PhD.

International students make up 7% of our total student population and hail from more than 70 countries, and 80% of our students come from Bolton and the North West region. Almost 50% of our students are part-time, and more than 60% of first-year, full-time undergraduate students are mature students.

With over 700 staff, the university if one of Bolton’s largest employers and we are a major contributor to the town with income of around £37 million.

The focus moving forward is to enhance our reputation as a groundbreaking and distinctive university, and build on existing achievements, including an impressive ranking in the National Student Satisfaction survey.

To find out more about The University of Bolton, visit our website on www.bolton.ac.uk

Ethos

• The University of Bolton is a public resource for knowledge and learning, working with and on behalf of people and organizations to solve practical problems
• We strongly believe that learning is fundamental to the transformation of individuals and society
• We are unrelenting in our desire to stay abreast of commercial, social, cultural and economic change and incorporate its impact in our courses and in our work with partners
• We celebrate excellence in others and willingly bring their good practice back into the University and into our partnerships
• We are proud that all elements of society are fully represented among our staff, students and partner organizations
• We embrace diversity and value difference
• We show adaptability, rigour and flexibility in identifying and meeting the needs of individuals and organizations
• We respect and value the traditional role and achievements of scholars and universities, while seeking to create a model of higher education which is focused on innovation and application

Our New Vice Chancellor

Soon after his appointment as Vice Chancellor in early 2006, Dr George Holmes, said, ‘The university has made significant progress in recent years and is poised to achieve even greater success in the future. It is incumbent upon me to provide a basis for agreeing a long-term direction for the organization and to secure its future, now that we have been granted the long awaited university title.’

‘I believe that what is central to the life of a university is a recognition of the power of education and moreover the importance to the world of universities as centres for the creation of knowledge. At the very heart of what we do, and what we should continue to do, is to strive to continually improve our already high standards and to enhance the quality of teaching, learning and research activity.’

‘The academic structure and administrative arrangements I will be seeking to put in place to support the new strategic plan will reflect these principles, and resources will be focused upon activities that contribute to these areas. We will need to increase our income base, build upon our reputation for high quality and demonstrate our sustainability.’

He continued, ‘ I see it as my job to set out the issues clearly and provide a basis for addressing them in a positive manner. I see it as the job of a Vice Chancellor to set the conditions for releasing the potential of the university’s staff and students by creating a regime which fosters innovation and rewards commitment and excellence.’

For further information please visit our website - www.bolton.ac.uk