History Of Regent's College
Based in the heart of Regent's Park, Regent's College has a rich
and diverse history, and a long tradition of education and
achievement.
Regent's Park
Regent's Park, as we know it today, was designed in 1811 by
John Nash, the favoured architect of the Prince Regent, later
George IV. Surrounded by classical style terraces, Regent's
Park spans over 410 acres and includes a lake, canal and a
number of villas.
The land became "royal" following Henry VIII's dissolution of
the monasteries. The royal connection is more gently remembered in
Queen Mary’s gardens, which were developed in the centre of
Regent's Park in the 1930's. More than 30,000 roses of 400
varieties can be found in these gardens. Regent's Park
is now home to London Zoo, the Royal
Botanic Society and a number of other organisations and
institutions. It is also the largest outdoor sports area
in London.
The Arrival of Higher Education
The beginnings of higher education in
London arrived in 1828, with the founding of University
College in Gower Street. This was for men only, but in 1849 a
"Ladies College" was founded by Mrs Elisabeth Reid and opened
nearby in Bedford Square. It was always short of funds, but in
1908, thanks to a generous legacy, the College was able to take a
Crown lease on South Villa in the Inner Circle, and so moved into
Regent’s Park, taking the "Bedford" name with it. Local residents
protested at the arrival of their new neighbours and questions were
asked in Parliament about the impact of a college on the amenity of
the Park. Nevertheless, academic buildings such as the present Tate
Library and science laboratories were erected in the
park. Science was at the core of the College's very first
programmes, together with the arts and humanities and teacher
training.
Bedford College
The ladies at Bedford College were accommodated in Reid Hall,
which still houses Regent's College students to this day.
Back then facilities included coal fires and washstands with an
ewer and basin.
Sport was extremely popular amongst the young ladies, and a
boating club was a natural development in the environment of the
park. The "swinging sixties" saw the admission of male
undergraduates in 1965, and the expansion of UK higher education in
the 70s eventually led to a merger with Royal Holloway College and
a move to the edge of a larger royal park, near Windsor.
The dome of the Astronomical Observatory,
opened by the Astronomer Royal, remains in place, despite extensive
damage to most buildings in the Second World War.
Regent's College
In 1984 the Crown lease was taken by Rockford
College, Illinois, which founded Regent's College primarily to
provide a "study abroad" programme, and provide courses with
a clear British focus (Churchill and King Arthur were
included). The first students arrived in 1985 and a steady flow
from the USA has continued despite the pressures of world events
(two students lost at Lockerbie are commemorated with trees in the
College gardens).
Gradually, other institutions began to take
up residence on the campus. The European Business School London
moved here in 1987, widening the international focus with its
emphasis on languages and internationalism and its programme of
student exchange. The School of Psychotherapy
and Counselling Psychology was established in 1990 maintaining
the presence of the sciences. In 1994 the College agreed with
Webster University in St Louis Missouri to provide its London
campus and deliver its degrees through the Webster Graduate School and British American College London (now Regent's
American College London). Regent's Business School
London was established in 1997. Most recently, the
London School of Film,
Media and Performance was established in 2009 as part of
the HASS faculty.
Today, Regent's College is a multi-disciplinary campus community
of six world-renowned schools. Looking
to the future, Regent's College has aspirations to operate
these schools as a single University.
Images on this page courtesy of Royal Holloway University
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Page last updated 5/5/2010