Staffordshire University

HISTORY

Staffordshire University is a university in Staffordshire, England. It has one main campus based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent and three other campuses; in Stafford, Lichfield and Shrewsbury.

In 1915, a department was established for the commercial production of Seger cones used to measure and control the temperatures of ceramic furnaces, based upon research completed by the principal, Joseph Mellor. Grants from the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust in 1924 were used to develop the ceramics library and in 1926 the name of the institution was changed to North Staffordshire Technical College. By 1931 extensions to the Cadman Building ran along Station Road and housed the Mining Department.

By 1934 the college consisted of four departments: Engineering (nearly 800 students), Pottery (just over 600 students), Mining (just under 500 students), and Chemistry (under 300 students).

Various faculty movements and further building work resulted in North Staffordshire Polytechnic being formed in 1970 with the merger of Stoke-on-Trent College of Art, North Staffordshire College of Technology (both based in Stoke-on-Trent), and Staffordshire College of Technology in Stafford. In 1977, the polytechnic absorbed a teacher training facility in Madeley, Staffordshire.

The polytechnic developed traditional strengths of the component institutions, e.g. ceramics (Stoke-on-Trent), computing (Stafford) and sports education (Madeley). The mining department closed as result of the decline of coal mining in the 1980s. New subjects were developed. North Staffordshire Polytechnic was amongst only a handful of third-level institutions in the UK to offer International Relations as a dedicated degree. The 1992 UK government Research Assessment Exercise placed the International Relations Department as the highest-rated in the institution.

In 1988, the institution changed its name to Staffordshire Polytechnic. In 1992, it became Staffordshire University, one of the new universities.

COURSES

The university offers courses in:

• 3D design
• Accounting and Finance
• Animation and Comic Arts
• Arts and Design
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Business and Economics
• Computing
• Drama
• Education and Childhood Studies
• Engineering
• English and Creative Writing
• Fashion Design
• Film and Media
• Fine Art
• Forensic and Crime Sciences
• Games Design
• Geography and the Environment
• Graphics and illustration
• Health and Social Care
• History
• Journalism
• Law
• Music
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Operating Department Practice
• Paramedic Science
• Photography
• Psychology
• Product and Transport Design
• Sociology, Criminology and Terrorism
• Social Work and Social Welfare
• Sports and Exercise
• Surface Pattern
• Tourism and Events
• Visual Effectsand GCI

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The university recognises the value of a broad range of qualifications, from foundation degrees to A Levels and access courses.

For admission to their first degrees, the students will normally be expected to have passed at least one of the following options:

• two subjects at Advanced GCE (A level)
• one VCE Double Award
• two, six-unit Advanced VCEs
• one Advanced GCE (A level) and one, six-unit Advanced VCE
• a Scottish Certificate of Education with passes in five separate subjects, of which three are at the Higher grade
• two subjects at Scottish Advanced Higher
• an EDEXCEL BTEC or SCOTVEC National Certificate/Diploma at a good standard
• an access programme passed at the required QAA-recognised standard for entry to Higher Education
• an award of the European Baccalaureate Diploma, with at least 60 percent overall; English at 60 percent
• an award of the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 24 points; English at four points
• an award of the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of five Higher passes
• a Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma.

ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

Their faculties are the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technology; the Faculty of Business, Law and Education; the Faculty of Health Sciences; the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science.

Their strengths are creative industries, the professions, health, business and enterprise, applied sciences and computing and technology.

Flexibility and student-centric approach.

Commitment to excellence in everything they do.

TEACHING STANDARDS

The Staffordshire Graduate Project aims to ensure consistency across the portfolio and that all those completing their awards are work ready and employable.

Staffordshire University achieved Recognition status, a quality mark awarded by Drama UK – the organisation which champions quality drama training. Recognised courses offer students and their future employers assurance that the course delivers what it promises and provides a real benefit to the creative industries.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

The Careers Centre at Staffordshire University supports students and graduates in the development of their employability. Their dedicated team of careers professionals can offer help and advice on all career-related questions.