Newman University, Birmingham
Newman University is a public university based in the suburb of Bartley Green in Birmingham, England. The university was founded in 1968 as Newman College of Higher Education. From 2008 to 2013 it was known as Newman University College, until gaining full university status in 2013. The University is 'student centred' and offers degrees in various subject areas from teacher training, sports science to humanities and the liberal arts.
History
The University is named after the 19th-century religious figure John Henry Newman who had strong links with the city of Birmingham as an Oratorian and a member of the Birmingham Oratory. His view of a university was of a scholarly community wherein the focus should be on training the mind to think rather than the simple diffusion of knowledge.In 1965, the Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, George Patrick Dwyer, donated land in Bartley Green that was once the site of Athol House Farm for the purposes of building a teacher training college. In 1966, while under construction, the College appointed Simon Quinlan as its first Principal and Joe Blackledge as Vice Principal. At its opening, the College was the first mixed-gender institution under lay control. The College accepted its first group of 182 students in 1968.
Initially, the College's degree qualifications were awarded by University of Birmingham. In 1983, under threat of closure, the College entered into an agreement with nearby Westhill College to share facilities. This relationship ended abruptly in 1998 when Coventry University started to award all degrees and Westhill College was absorbed into the University of Birmingham. Between 2003 and 2008, the University of Leicester validated all degrees at the College. The Privy Council gave the institution degree-awarding powers in 2007 finally marking the institution's independence.
Between the years 2000 and 2008, the College expanded rapidly. Student numbers increased 112%.
Originally called Newman College of Higher Education, the College was established as a centre for the training of teachers for local primary and secondary schools. The institution changed its name to Newman University College in January 2008 and to Newman University in 2013. Upon receiving university status, then Principal, Professor Peter Lutzeier, commented 'it has been a long road to get here but achieving full university status provides welcome recognition for the quality of Newman's courses, graduates and staff'.
Ethos
The University prides itself on its values of inclusivity. In 2005, nearly half of the institution's students were from low-participation groups and 28% from low-participation neighbourhoods. Newman has a commitment to widening participation in Higher Education and awards a number of bursaries annually to students from low income households in the West Midlands. In 2016, According to the analysis in the Sunday Times, Newman had the third highest working class intake, the second highest state school intake of all University's in the UK. The same survey showed that 1 in 3 of Newman's students is a mature student.Although established as a Catholic institution, the university welcomes students and staff of any religion or background. The University bases its employment and admissions ethos on principles of tolerance and inclusion.
The University frequently comments on its student-focused approach. Former Principal, Pamela Taylor, told The Guardian how the institution's small size allows it to get far closer to its students. 'A university should not be a foundry or a treadmill or a mint, but an alma mater knowing her children one by one.' In 2007, Taylor released a press release on the University website claiming that 'smaller institutions can provide students with more closely targeted teaching and support'. She stated that the University's learning environment was 'unique'. The University's first Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Lutzeier told interviewers that being student centred and a close community still remained at the core of the University's mission in 2013. Current Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Davidson, said at his inauguration that 'our student body is made up of many different faiths, and none, but we are an inclusive community...I am excited by the potential of work already underway at the university to develop inter-faith understanding and dialogue, which is aptly suited to both political times and the needs of our city's diverse community'.
In August 2017, The Times commended the University's student scholarship scheme as one of the ten most generous programmes of its kind in the UK. Data sampled by The Economist claimed that Newman University was one of the top-three universities in the UK for boosting the salaries of their graduates. The University was ranked top in the Midlands for the 'value added' to a student's experience.
Campus
The University campus is located in Bartley Green about south-west of the city centre. It overlooks the Bartley Reservoir.The campus is designed around a series of inner quadrangles near academic, administrative, and pastoral buildings. The buildings on campus are named after people with a local historical significance and/or an educational significance to Newman University. The quads are named after women who have made a significant contribution to Birmingham and the Halls of Residence are named after places of significance to John Henry Newman. Much of the Campus dates back to the original foundation of the College in the 1960s interspersed with more recent developments.St Mary's Chapel is located at the heart of the campus and offers chaplaincy support to those of any faith and spaces for religious exercise or relaxation. In 2016, the chapel was refurbished and a large extension added to the south side of the building to provide additional teaching spaces.
Students have a number of choices for where to eat on Campus in addition to shops and takeaway restaurants on Genners Lane. The Sanctuary acts as the main refractory where hot and cold meals are served throughout the day. The Senses Bar opens each evening and offers a range of social events into the night. The Atrium cafe serves Starbucks coffee and other snacks on the south side of Campus.In 2013, the University invested £20 million in developing parts of the campus, including a new library and entrance named the St Chad Building. These were opened by Olympic athlete Kristian Thomas and nominated for the Education category BD Architect of the Year Award, 2012.
The University's campus has been recognised for its energy efficiency. In September 2014 and 2017, the University received the Gold Award for Eco Campus.
At the north side of the Campus is the Newman Health and Wellbeing Centre. Opened in 2016, the Centre offers counselling services to students and local residents as well as a range of outreach activities. Whipper Snappers day nursery sits on the southern edge of the Campus.
The new 104-room Cofton Halls of Residence were completed at the end of 2017.
Sports Facilities
Newman's Sports Centre is situated in the Edwards Building at the northern edge of the Campus. The gymnasium is complete with a full cardio and sports performance suite with two Olympic lifting platforms. The Centre has squash and badminton court facilities. All facilities are open to the local community as well as students and staff from the University.Beyond the Centre, there is a third-generation all-weather pitch that was originally opened in 2008 and then upgraded in April 2017. The pitch was officially opened by former Aston Villa and England striker Darius Vassell and Premier League official and Newman alumna Sian Massey-Ellis. The pitch was part of a collaboration between the University and the Football Foundation to increase local participation in sports.
The sports hall plays host to the University sports teams and is sometimes used as an examination venue.
Campus Art
The Campus has a number of artworks. A piece entitled 'The Globe', designed by Planet Art in nearby West Bromwich, was installed outside of the new library building in May 2012. 'The Globe' includes quotations from John Henry Newman on faithfulness and commitment. A statue of John Henry Newman, designed and created by Tim Tolkien, is in the Ryland Quad of the campus.Campus Development
In 2016, the local council approved the first phase of the University's new Campus development plan. Phase one included a £22 million investment in a new hall of residence, teaching block, social spaces and coffee bar. The accommodation blocks are designed as a ribbon of buildings that respond to the natural sweep of the eastern boundary. Construction work on other apartment blocks is due to start in 2020. The new teaching block includes a new lecture theatre, seminar rooms and atrium.The total development, costing £70m, was the subject of an argument between local councillors. Fiona Williams criticised the generic nature of the building designs. She stated 'we seem to be having a lot of off-the-shelf design in the city. We need a little more imagination'. Her rival, Douglas Osborn defended the designs claiming 'the site has character...any extras would end up being paid for by the young people through the fees'. One council official claimed the designs were 'crisp and modern' and in keeping with surrounding buildings.
Organisation and structure
The university is governed by the University Council and the Senate, while day-to-day running is by the university leadership team. As of October 2017, the university leadership team is:- Professor J Scott Davidson M.A., LL.D, SFHEA, FRSA. Vice-Chancellor
- Andrea Bolshaw. University Secretary & Registrar
- Professor Duncan Lawson BA, DPhil, FHEA, FIMA, CMath. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Formative Education
- Professor Peter Childs BA, BA, MA, PhD, FEA. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Scholarship
- Tony Sharma BA ACMA. Director of Finance & Corporate Services
- Dr Lorraine Thomas BA, PGCE, MA, PhD, FHEA, FTLA. Executive Dean, Faculty of Education
- The Faculty of Education
- The Faculty of Arts, Society and Professional Studies
Finances
Academic profile
Newman was given taught degree awarding powers in September 2007 and full university status in 2013. In It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. In 2016/17, over three quarters of the undergraduate student population at the University was female.The University offers degrees in a wide range of subjects and continues to offer teacher training courses. Initial Teacher Education is available at both undergraduate level and through the Postgraduate Certificate in Education as well as taught and research-based postgraduate degrees.
All of the University's undergraduate programmes include a mandatory Work Placement module, allowing students to get experience in real-work settings.
Since inception in 1968 over 13,500 teacher training students have gained qualified teacher status or the equivalent.
The University awards postgraduate research degrees in affiliation with Liverpool Hope University.
In 2014, the University was awarded £1.8 million to establish the Science and Religion: Exploring the Spectrum Centre. The University secured a mother tranche of funding from HEFCE to explore innovation in the Higher Education sector.
Reputation and rankings
Newman University is the fourth ranked of the five universities in Birmingham according to the Complete University Guide, below the University of Birmingham, Aston University, and Birmingham City University.The university has a consistently high graduate employment rate of around ninety to ninety-five per cent.
Newman was one of only fifteen universities to be awarded a 'High' ranking in the first Which? University Guide. In June 2014, the university was named the safest university for students in Birmingham by the Independent's Complete University Guide. The Student Support was nominated for the 'Outstanding Student Services Team' award at the Times Higher Education Awards in 2017.
Newman University's teacher training courses received a Good in the most recent Ofsted inspection. Many of the University's courses are recognised by professional bodies such as the Chartered Management Institute, BASES and British Psychological Society.
National Student Survey (NSS)
Traditionally, Newman performs very well in the annual National Student Survey. In 2019, Newman was 1st in Birmingham and 4th in the West Midlands for overall student satisfaction. In 2015, Newman was in the top 25 institutions in the UK for overall satisfaction. In addition, Drama, English Studies and History all scored 100% for 'Overall Satisfaction' and were rated number 1 in the country in their subject areas.Teaching Excellence Framework
In the UK government's new teaching assessment exercise, released in June 2017, Newman was awarded a Silver award for its teaching standards. In a mock-TEF exercise performed by the Times Higher Education Supplement, Newman University ranked in ninety-first place and scored strongly on its overall student satisfaction scores.Research Excellence Framework
The University has a growing research profile. In 2008, Education, Sport-Related Studies and History made submissions to the Research Assessment Exercise. Most research was found to be 'recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour'. The university asserted its intention to grow its research profile prior to the next research assessment by attracting 'more staff with an established research interest and publication history and young academics with potential to evolve a significant research profile'. The University made a full submission to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.In the University's Strategic Plan document in 2014, the University committed itself to 'focus investment on securing a critical mass of academic staff who are engaged in research, practice, or other forms of advanced scholarship' and to 'expand research income streams'.
The University is home to six research centres: the Centre for Science, Knowledge, Belief and Society; the Children, Young People and Family Research Research Centre; the Humanities Research Centre; Newman Research Centre for the Bible and its Reception; Newman Institute of Leadership in Education and the Sport, Physical Activity and Health Research Centre.
Tier 4 Visa Controversy
In April 2017, Newman University's license to recruit and teach overseas students was revoked. Vice-Chancellor, Scott Davidson, commented on the government's decision in a published article Times Higher Education Supplement. Professor Davidson noted how 'As a smaller university, we issued less than 20 CASs over the last 12 months, meaning just two rejections was enough to trigger the 10% threshold. This is in contrast with larger universities, which may have several hundred CAS refusals before the 10% threshold is crossed'. The University noted its commitment to regaining Tier 4 powers as soon as possible. Industry observer, Jack Grove, commented that the revocation of the University's Tier 4 licence was a 'ridiculous decision'50th Anniversary, 2018
In 2018, the University started a year of celebrations to mark the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation. On 13 February 2018, the University Vice Chancellor, Professor Scott Davidson, opened the year of events with a drinks reception at the Bartley Green campus. Davidson told visitorsIt’s incredible to look back over our evolution since we first opened our doors in 1968 as a teacher training college. Whilst we still have a strong reputation within that field, I’m proud that we are now able to offer a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and foundation degree courses and welcome students and staff of all religions.In attendance were local business leaders, former students and the Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley. The University called on its former students to share their memories in an online campaign. As part of the celebrations, the University hosted the Cathedrals Group Choirs Festival. Rehearsals took place in the University chapel while the final performance was held in Birmingham Symphony Hall.
The University's 'big alumni reunion' was scheduled for August 2018.