University of Glamorgan
Encyclopedia
The University of Glamorgan is a university
based in Pontypridd
, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales
with campuses in Treforest, Glyntaff
, Merthyr Tydfil
, Tyn y Wern (The Glamorgan Sport Park) and Cardiff
. The university has four faculties, and is the only university in Wales which has no current or former link with the University of Wales
.
based in Treforest, Pontypridd
, serving the large coal mining industry
in the South Wales Valleys
. The school was owned and funded by the major Welsh coal owners, through a levy of one tenth of a penny on each ton of coal produced by the companies involved. At the outset, the school had 17 mining diploma students, including three from China. The school was taken over by Glamorgan County Council during the Depression, and became Glamorgan Technical College in 1949, reflecting its expanding portfolio, and the Glamorgan College of Technology in 1958. By this time, the institution had expanded to offer a range of full-time, sandwich and part-time courses in science, technology and commerce, to which it added the first ever "Welsh
for Adults" course in 1967. In 1970, the college became a polytechnic
. Glamorgan Polytechnic merged with the Glamorgan College of Education in Barry and was re-designated as the Polytechnic of Wales in 1975, before being awarded university status as the University of Glamorgan in 1992.
Since 2003, the University has been engaged in an active "growth strategy", merging with Merthyr Tydfil College
in 2004/5 and forming a "strategic alliance" with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2006, so that the Royal College is now part of the 'Glamorgan Group' of institutions. In 2007, "ATRiuM
", a new facility for teaching and research in media, design and the arts was opened in Cardiff city centre
. A new Students' Union building at the Treforest Campus was opened in September 2010.
The University currently serves around 21,500 students, with 10,227 registered as full-time undergraduates. The university currently offers around 200 courses and in 2009 claimed to have one of the highest graduate employment rates in Wales, reporting that 94.3 per cent of 2007-08 graduates found employment within six months of graduation.
system with A-levels or equivalent qualifications and many of the University's degree courses are selective in that they require specific A-levels or above average grades for entry. According to the Times University rankings of 2011, Glamorgan is ranked 94th of the 114 British universities, maintaining its 2010 position.
There is currently building work on site for new accommodation blocks, which should be ready September 2011.
The Students Union is also on the Treforest campus. The Student Union is the home to a number of sports teams, sports clubs and societies as well as TAG, the student newspaper.
The Union has also welfare, education and equalitiy support and there is also a new democratic structure change to Student Council.
Additional educational facilities include a 24-hour PC lab, wireless internet access in specified areas, world class equipment for nursing courses (including life sized dummies that simulate human beings, from breathing to giving birth), a TV studio, an on-campus radio studio, and two theatres
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
based in Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
with campuses in Treforest, Glyntaff
Glyntaff
Glyntaff is a small village to the south-east of Pontypridd, in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales situated in the Treforest ward along with the village of Trefforest.-Education:...
, Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil is a town in Wales, with a population of about 30,000. Although once the largest town in Wales, it is now ranked as the 15th largest urban area in Wales. It also gives its name to a county borough, which has a population of around 55,000. It is located in the historic county of...
, Tyn y Wern (The Glamorgan Sport Park) and Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. The university has four faculties, and is the only university in Wales which has no current or former link with the University of Wales
University of Wales
The University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
.
History
The University of Glamorgan was founded in 1913 as a School of MinesSchool of Mines
A school of mines is a term used for many engineering schools established in the 18th and 19th centuries that originally focused on mining engineering and applied science...
based in Treforest, Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, serving the large coal mining industry
Mining in Wales
Mining in Wales provided a significant source of income to the economy of Wales throughout the nineteenth century and early twentieth century....
in the South Wales Valleys
South Wales Valleys
The South Wales Valleys are a number of industrialised valleys in South Wales, stretching from eastern Carmarthenshire in the west to western Monmouthshire in the east and from the Heads of the Valleys in the north to the lower-lying, pastoral country of the Vale of Glamorgan and the coastal plain...
. The school was owned and funded by the major Welsh coal owners, through a levy of one tenth of a penny on each ton of coal produced by the companies involved. At the outset, the school had 17 mining diploma students, including three from China. The school was taken over by Glamorgan County Council during the Depression, and became Glamorgan Technical College in 1949, reflecting its expanding portfolio, and the Glamorgan College of Technology in 1958. By this time, the institution had expanded to offer a range of full-time, sandwich and part-time courses in science, technology and commerce, to which it added the first ever "Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
for Adults" course in 1967. In 1970, the college became a polytechnic
Polytechnic (United Kingdom)
A polytechnic was a type of tertiary education teaching institution in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. After the passage of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 they became universities which meant they could award their own degrees. The comparable institutions in Scotland were...
. Glamorgan Polytechnic merged with the Glamorgan College of Education in Barry and was re-designated as the Polytechnic of Wales in 1975, before being awarded university status as the University of Glamorgan in 1992.
Since 2003, the University has been engaged in an active "growth strategy", merging with Merthyr Tydfil College
Merthyr Tydfil College
Merthyr Tydfil College is a further education college located in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Since May 2006, it is a constituent college of the University of Glamorgan....
in 2004/5 and forming a "strategic alliance" with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2006, so that the Royal College is now part of the 'Glamorgan Group' of institutions. In 2007, "ATRiuM
Atrium (Cardiff)
ATRiuM is a campus of the University of Glamorgan, in Cardiff, Wales.Opened on 29 November 2007, it is home to one of the University's five faculties, CCI...
", a new facility for teaching and research in media, design and the arts was opened in Cardiff city centre
Cardiff city centre
Cardiff city centre is the central business district of Cardiff, Wales. The area is tightly bounded by the River Taff to the west, the Civic centre to the north and railway lines and two railway stations - Central and Queen Street - to the south and east respectively...
. A new Students' Union building at the Treforest Campus was opened in September 2010.
The University currently serves around 21,500 students, with 10,227 registered as full-time undergraduates. The university currently offers around 200 courses and in 2009 claimed to have one of the highest graduate employment rates in Wales, reporting that 94.3 per cent of 2007-08 graduates found employment within six months of graduation.
Academic rankings
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good University Guide - The Times | 77th | 94th of 113 | 94th | 93th |
| Guardian University Guide | 58th of 117 | 80th of 117 | 76th of 118 | 68th of 119 |
| Sunday Times University Guide | 97th | 98th of 122 | 92nd of 121 | |
| Complete University Guide - The Independent | 76th of 113 | 54th of 113 | 46th of 115 | 83rd of 116 |
Reputation
The bulk of full-time students enter through the UCASUCAS
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is the British admission service for students applying to university and college. UCAS is primarily funded by students who pay a fee when they apply and a capitation fee from universities for each student they accept..-Location:UCAS is based near...
system with A-levels or equivalent qualifications and many of the University's degree courses are selective in that they require specific A-levels or above average grades for entry. According to the Times University rankings of 2011, Glamorgan is ranked 94th of the 114 British universities, maintaining its 2010 position.
- A Next Generation Networks, IMS Experience Lab
- One of only 20 UK business schools to get an 'excellent ratings' from the government.
- Centre of Excellence in Mobile Applications and Services (CEMAS).
- Research in biohydrogenBiohydrogenBiohydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced biologically, most commonly by algae and bacteria. Biohydrogen is a potential biofuel obtainable from both cultivation and waste organic materials.-Introduction:...
production and wastewater treatmentWastewater TreatmentWastewater treatment may refer to:* Sewage treatment* Industrial wastewater treatment...
. - The only university in Wales to be awarded the Environmental ISO 14001.
- The University of Glamorgan, with Cardiff UniversityCardiff UniversityCardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
and South Wales PoliceSouth Wales PoliceSouth Wales Police is one of the four territorial police forces in Wales. Its headquarters are based in Bridgend.Covering Wales' capital city, Cardiff, as well as Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea, and the western South Wales Valleys, it is the largest police force in Wales in terms of population,...
, forms the Universities Police Science Institute (UPSI) - a unique organisation in the UK dedicated to research and training in police related matters. Specialists in police and forensic related matters are organised within the Glamorgan Centre for Police Sciences.The University has its own Crime Scenes Investigation House. - A £Pound sterlingThe pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
35 million (€EuroThe euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
46.7 million or $68.6 million) investment in the city of Cardiff, completed in 2007, houses the AtriumAtrium (Cardiff)ATRiuM is a campus of the University of Glamorgan, in Cardiff, Wales.Opened on 29 November 2007, it is home to one of the University's five faculties, CCI...
. - The University, along with Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities is part of the St David's Group, which is dedicated to acting together drive forward the knowledge economy in Wales.
- Glamorgan, in partnership with the University of Wales Newport, is leading the development of the University of the Heads of the Valleys Initiative (UHOVI)
- Glamorgan was ranked 1st in the studentbeans.com University Sex League and 5th in the University Drinking League
Campuses
The University has several campuses:- Trefforest - the main campus plays host to the bulk of academic departments and facilities, including the indoor sports centre and students union. It is accessed via Treforest railway station from either CardiffCardiffCardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, MerthyrMerthyr LineThe Merthyr Line is a commuter railway line in South Wales from central Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare. The line is part of the Cardiff urban rail network, known as the Valley Lines...
or the RhonddaRhondda LineThe Rhondda Line is a commuter railway line in South Wales from Cardiff to Treherbert. The line follows the Merthyr Line as far as Pontypridd, where it then diverges to continue along the Rhondda Valley.The places served by the line are listed below:...
; regular bus services or the A470A470 roadThe A470 is a major long-distance connective spine road in Wales, running from Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. It covers approximately 186 miles , over a zig-zagging route through the entirety of the country's mountainous central region, including the Brecon Beacons and...
. - Glyntaff - originally established purely for law, it now hosts exclusively the Nursing Courses under the Faculty of Health, Sport and Science. All Science and Sport, including Police Sciences.
- Partner colleges - The University has specialised "partner colleges" throughout South WalesSouth WalesSouth Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
; for example, Barry CollegeBarry CollegeBarry College is a Further Education college in Barry, Wales which takes around 10000 students per year. It is partnered with the University of Glamorgan. Barry College offers many courses, including courses in: Languages; Hairdressing and Beauty; Electrical Engerneering; and Computing courses...
for aeronautical engineering. - Merthyr Tydfil - Merthyr Tydfil CollegeMerthyr Tydfil CollegeMerthyr Tydfil College is a further education college located in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Since May 2006, it is a constituent college of the University of Glamorgan....
has become part of the University of Glamorgan Group (but not part of the University), although its focus remains on delivering Further Education rather than Higher Education. - Tyn y Wern - Is home to the new Glamorgan Sport Park.
- AtriumAtrium (Cardiff)ATRiuM is a campus of the University of Glamorgan, in Cardiff, Wales.Opened on 29 November 2007, it is home to one of the University's five faculties, CCI...
- The Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries is based at a Cardiff campus located close to Cardiff Queen Street railway stationCardiff Queen Street railway stationCardiff Queen Street railway station is Wales' second busiest railway station in Cardiff, Wales. It is one of 20 stations in the city and two in the city centre, the other being Cardiff Central...
.
List of Faculties and Departments
- Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries, the AtriumAtrium (Cardiff)ATRiuM is a campus of the University of Glamorgan, in Cardiff, Wales.Opened on 29 November 2007, it is home to one of the University's five faculties, CCI...
- Animation
- Communication Design
- Drama
- Fashion and Retail Design
- Film, Photography and New Media
- Media, Culture and Journalism
- Music and Sound
- Faculty of Health, Sport & Science
- Health Sciences including Nursing and Chiropractic
- Police Sciences
- Social Work
- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences (including Chemistry, Geology and Forensic Science)
- Sport
- Geography and the Environment
- Astronomy and Science Education
- Faculty of Business and Society
- History
- English and Creative Writing
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Law and Criminology
- Psychology
- Art Practice
- Business Management
- Event Management
- Accounting
- Faculty of Advanced Technology
- Built Environment
- Computing and Mathematics
- Engineering
- Faculty of Further Education and Collaborative Activities
- Combined Studies Unit
- Glamorgan GATES
- Centre for Intergenerational Practice
- Llynfi Valley Project
- Race and Ethnicity
- First Campus
Facilities
The halls of residence are based at the Treforest campus:- Glamorgan Court - Built in 1996, with all the rooms in the hall buildings arranged into clusters of six en-suite bedrooms with a shared kitchen.
There is currently building work on site for new accommodation blocks, which should be ready September 2011.
The Students Union is also on the Treforest campus. The Student Union is the home to a number of sports teams, sports clubs and societies as well as TAG, the student newspaper.
The Union has also welfare, education and equalitiy support and there is also a new democratic structure change to Student Council.
Additional educational facilities include a 24-hour PC lab, wireless internet access in specified areas, world class equipment for nursing courses (including life sized dummies that simulate human beings, from breathing to giving birth), a TV studio, an on-campus radio studio, and two theatres
- Oriel Y Bont galleries, an art gallery that hosts a collection of Ernest ZoboleErnest ZoboleErnest Zobole was a Welsh painter and art teacher. Zobole's paintings, originally oil on canvas, later switching to oil on board, reflected the industrial setting of the Rhondda Valleys...
paintings. In 2002 the gallery achieved Museum Status.
- Learning Resource Centre: The library of the University has books and all other media facilities as well as daily newspapers from around the country and journal articles. Online research journals such as MintelMintelMintel Group Ltd is a privately owned, London-based market research firm. The corporation also maintains offices in Chicago, New York, Belfast, Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney...
and KeynotesKeynotesKeynotes was a game show created in Australia. According to the host's patter, the aim of the game was for "two teams of players, to try to put the right words in the right songs and see how well they can follow the bouncing ball to solve our puzzle song."...
are available for students to use for free.
Awards
- Glamorgan is the first university in Wales, and only the 8th in the whole of the UK, to have been awarded the nationally recognised Investor in People status, for staff training and development.
- The Business School received Chartered Institute of Purchasing and SupplyChartered Institute of Purchasing and SupplyThe Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply is a global organisation working for the purchasing and supply professions. CIPS is the world’s largest procurement and supply professional organisation. It is the worldwide centre of excellence on purchasing and supply management issues...
Centre of Excellence accreditation, being one of only 13 accredited centres in the UK.
- Glamorgan has received the first prize in the national competition for best course designs and teaching ability three times.
- Electronic Product Engineering within the School of Electronics, and Environmental Technology and Management, have been designated "Centres of Expertise" for Wales.
Notable Alumni
- Sue BaleSue BaleSue Bale, FRCN, RGN, NDN, RHV is a British nurse with a special interest in wound healing.-Education and career:She received her PhD degree from the University of Glamorgan in 2003....
- Kevin Brennan (politician)Kevin Brennan (politician)Kevin Denis Brennan is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Cardiff West since 2001, and was a Minister of State at both the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Children, Schools and Families before the 2010 general election...
- Carole BromleyCarole Bromley-Life:Carole has degrees from University of Reading, and University of York, as well as an M Phil. in Writing from the University of Glamorgan.Carole Bromley has been writing for about ten years...
- Lorna DunkleyLorna DunkleyLorna Dunkley is a British television news presenter, currently with Sky News. She presents the two-hour Weekend Lunchtime strand on Saturdays and Sundays at 12pm - 2pm, as well as presenting Afternoon Live every Monday from 2pm - 5pm & she now presents News, Sport & Weather on a Tuesday evening...
- Ben Green (comedian)Ben Green (comedian)Ben Rufus Green is a comedian from Canterbury, Kent, England who primarily creates sketch comedy videos. His work can be seen on YOBI.tv, Funny or Die, YouTube, and MySpace...
- Darren MorrisDarren MorrisDarren Morris is a Wales international rugby union player and has represented the British and Irish Lions. He plays as a loosehead prop.-Club career:...
- Dan Rhodes
- Catherine ThomasCatherine ThomasCatherine Thomas born in 1963 is a Welsh politician and former Labour Welsh Assembly Member for the constituency of Llanelli. She narrowly beat Helen Mary Jones of Plaid Cymru at the 2003 Assembly election with a majority of 21. Helen Mary Jones defeated her in the 2007 election...
- Rachel TreziseRachel TreziseRachel Trezise is a Welsh author, born in Cwmparc, Rhondda.-Background and career:Trezise studied at the University of Glamorgan in Wales and University of Limerick in Ireland. Her first novel, In and Out of the Goldfish Bowl, released in 2002 while she was still as a student, received broad...
- Camilla WayCamilla WayCamilla Way is an English author and was previously an editor at men's style magazine Arena since 2005. Her first book, The Dead of Summer, was published in 2007.Camilla Way is the daughter of poet and author Peter Way...
- Tine WittlerTine WittlerChristine "Tine" Wittler is a German writer, TV presenter and actress.After studying in Lüneburg and Glamorgan, Wittler worked as a freelance writer for NDR and presented the German television programme Bravo TV....
External links
- University of Glamorgan – official website
- University of Glamorgan Student Union – official website