Arts college graduates to full university status (From Bournemouth Echo)

Arts University College gets full university status

3:00pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News By Arron Hendy

THE Arts University College Bournemouth has gained full university status.

The institution has dropped the word college after formal approval from the government and bosses at the campus in Wallisdown are celebrating gaining the prestige that comes with the title.

Professor Stuart Bartholomew, principal, said the change would help its reputation.

He said: “The title recognises the quality of provision of what is one of the foremost specialist institutions of art and design in the UK.

“And the importance of that title is not only confined to the UK.

“It’s of immense importance internationally and will enable the arts university to strengthen even further its performance in the global context of the creative industries.

“And we’re also delighted that Bournemouth and Poole will now have two universities.”

The change was made possible after the government lowered the threshold for a full university title from 4,000 to 1,000 full-time higher education students.

David Willetts, the universities and science minister, recommended to the Privy Council that 10 higher education institutions had met the criteria needed and they granted permission.

The Arts University Bournemouth is already one of the top five universities in the country for graduate employment with 97.7 per cent of its graduates from 2011 in work or further study six months after graduating.

Andy Westwood, chief executive of GuildHE, a representative body for higher education institutions, said: “Smaller and specialist institutions are long established – in most cases for longer than many UK universities – and often lead the league tables in areas such as teaching and employability.

“They also have a strong reputation and impact in their localities and sectors – contributing to economic growth and to stronger, more vibrant communities.”