List of UK universities by date of foundation

This is a list of Universities in the United Kingdom by the date of their foundation.

In many cases the supposed date of establishment is open to debate. The date in which an institution officially achieved royal charter is therefore provided first, with any unofficial date in parenthesis.

Ancient universities

Until the nineteenth century there were only two university establishments in England and five in Scotland (including two in Aberdeen, see below).

Name	Country	Date of foundation	Motto	Notes
University of Oxford University of Oxford The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...	England	Before 1167	Dominus illuminatio mea
University of Cambridge University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...	England	1209	Hinc lucem et pocula sacra
University of St Andrews University of St Andrews The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...	Scotland	Between 1410 and 1413	ΑΙΕΝ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΥΕΙΝ
University of Glasgow University of Glasgow The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...	Scotland	1451	Via, Veritas, Vita Via, Veritas, Vita Via, Veritas, Vita is a Latin phrase meaning "The Way, The Truth, The Life" in English. It is attributed to Jesus Christ and has been used as motto by various educational institutions and governments.-History:...
University of Aberdeen University of Aberdeen The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...	Scotland	1495	Initium sapientiae timor domini	For centuries, Aberdeen had two universities. King's College (1495) and Marischal College (1593) merged to form the University of Aberdeen in 1860
University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...	Scotland	1582	Nec temere, nec timide

Nineteenth century universities

No new universities were founded in the United Kingdom after Edinburgh until the eighteenth century with the establishment of a number of the London colleges, for example St George's

St George's, University of London

St George's, University of London is a medical school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...

(1733), The London Hospital Medical College (1785) and the Royal Veterinary College

Royal Veterinary College

The Royal Veterinary College is a veterinary school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. The RVC was founded in 1791 and joined the University of London in 1949...

(1791). These later became part of the University of London

University of London

-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...

.

A number of universities lay claim to being the third oldest university in England

Third oldest university in England debate

The title of third-oldest university in England is a topic of much debate, with prime contenders for the title usually being considered to include University College London, King's College London, Durham University and the University of London, however deciding which is truly the 'oldest' depends...

, including University College London

University College London

University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...

, King's College London

King's College London

King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...

and Durham University

Durham University

The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...

Name	Date of foundation	Motto
The University of Durham	1832	Fundamenta eius super montibus sanctis
King's College London King's College London King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...	1829	Sancte et sapienter
University College London University College London University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...	1836 (1826)	Cuncti adsint meritaeque expectent praemia palmae
University of London University of London -20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...	1836
Queen's University Belfast	1845
University College Wales, now Aberystwyth University	1872	Nid Byd, Byd Heb Wybodaeth (A world without knowledge, is no world at all)
Royal Holloway	1879	Esse quam videri: To be, rather than to seem
University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, now Cardiff University Cardiff University Cardiff 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...	1884	Truth Unity and Harmony
University College of North Wales, now Bangor University Bangor University Bangor University is a university based in the city of Bangor in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales-United Kingdom.It was officially known for most of its history as the University College of North Wales...	1884	Gorau Dawn Deall (The best gift is knowledge)
Queen Mary, University of London Queen Mary, University of London Queen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...	1885, (With roots, through medical school, to 1123)	Coniunctis Viribus
London School of Economics London School of Economics The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...	1895	rerum cognoscere causas

The civic universities

These universities were distinguished by being non-collegiate institutions that admitted men without reference to religion or background and concentrated on imparting to their students "real-world" skills, often linked to engineering.

Red brick universities

The large civic 'red brick' universities all gained official university status before the First World War. The term was first coined by a professor at the University of Liverpool

University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...

to describe these universities, inspired by the university's Victoria Building

Victoria Building, University of Liverpool

The Victoria Building, University of Liverpool, is on the corner of Brownlow Hill and Ashton Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England . It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building. It was designed by Alfred Waterhouse and completed in 1892...

which is built from a distinctive red pressed brick

Brick

A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...

. All of the red brick institutions have origins dating back to older medical or engineering colleges.

Name	Date of foundation	Motto	Notes
Victoria University Victoria University (UK) Victoria University was an English federal university established by Royal Charter, 20 April 1880 at Manchester: a university for the North of England open to affiliation by colleges such as Owens College which immediately did so. University College Liverpool joined the University in 1884, followed...	1880	Arduus ad solem	Succeeded Owen's College (founded 1851), later Victoria University of Manchester Victoria University of Manchester The Victoria University of Manchester was a university in Manchester, England. On 1 October 2004 it merged with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology to form a new entity, "The University of Manchester".-1851 - 1951:The University was founded in 1851 as Owens College,...
University of Birmingham University of Birmingham The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...	1900	Per Ardua Ad Alta
University of Liverpool University of Liverpool The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...	1903	Haec otia studia fovent
University of Leeds University of Leeds The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...	1904	et augebitur scientia
University of Sheffield University of Sheffield The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...	1905	Rerum cognoscere causas
University of Bristol University of Bristol The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...	1909	Vim promovet insitam

Second wave of civic universities

Name	Date of foundation	Motto
University College of Swansea, now Swansea University Swansea University Swansea University is a university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it changed its name to the University of Wales Swansea following structural changes...	1920	Gweddw crefft heb ei dawn
University of Reading University of Reading The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...	1926
University of Nottingham University of Nottingham The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...	1948	Sapientia urbs conditur
University of Southampton University of Southampton The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...	1952	Strenuis Ardua Cedunt
University of Hull University of Hull The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...	1954	Lampada ferens
University of Exeter University of Exeter The University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....	1955	Lucem sequimur
University of Leicester University of Leicester The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....	1957	Ut Vitam Habeant

Plate glass universities

Universities founded during the 1960s are called this because of their architectural style. This was the era of the Robbins Report

Robbins Report

The Robbins Report was commissioned by the British government and published in 1963. The Committee met from 1961 to 1963...

. The number of UK universities more than doubled from 20 to 43.

Name	Date of foundation	Motto
University of Sussex University of Sussex The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....	1961	Be still and know
Keele University Keele University Keele University is a campus university near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. Founded in 1949 as an experimental college dedicated to a broad curriculum and interdisciplinary study, Keele is most notable for pioneering the dual honours degree in Britain...	1962	Thanke God for All
University of East Anglia University of East Anglia The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...	1963	Do Different
University of York University of York The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...	1963	In limine sapientiae
Newcastle University	1963
University of Strathclyde University of Strathclyde The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...	1964	The place of useful learning
Lancaster University Lancaster University Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a leading research-intensive British university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964 and initially based in St Leonard's Gate until moving to a purpose-built 300 acre campus at...	1964	Patet omnibus veritas
University of Kent University of Kent The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...	1965	Cui servire regnare est
University of Essex University of Essex The University of Essex is a British campus university whose original and largest campus is near the town of Colchester, England. Established in 1963 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1965...	1965	Thought the harder, heart the keener
University of Warwick University of Warwick The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...	1965	Mens agitat molem
Loughborough University Loughborough University Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...	1966	Veritate, Scientia, Labore
Aston University Aston University Aston University is a "plate glass" campus university situated at Gosta Green, in the city centre of Birmingham, England.Established in 1895 as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School, Aston was granted its Royal Charter as Aston University on 22 April 1966...	1966	Forward
Brunel University Brunel University Brunel University is a public research university located in Uxbridge, London, United Kingdom. The university is named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel....	1966
University of Surrey University of Surrey The University of Surrey is a university located within the county town of Guildford, Surrey in the South East of England. It received its charter on 9 September 1966, and was previously situated near Battersea Park in south-west London. The institution was known as Battersea College of Technology...	1966
University of Bath University of Bath The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....	1966	Generatim discite cultus
University of Bradford University of Bradford The University of Bradford is a British university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The University received its Royal Charter in 1966, making it the 40th University to be created in Britain, but its origins date back to the early 1800s...	1966	Make Knowledge Work
City University, London City University, London City University London , is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute and became a university in 1966, when it adopted its present name....	1966	To serve mankind
Heriot-Watt University Heriot-Watt University Heriot-Watt University is a university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The name commemorates George Heriot, the 16th century financier to King James, and James Watt, the great 18th century inventor and engineer....	1966
University of Salford University of Salford The University of Salford is a campus university based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England with approximately 20,000 registered students. The main campus is about west of Manchester city centre, on the A6, opposite the former home of the physicist, James Prescott Joule and the Working Class...	1967	Altiora Petamus
University of Dundee University of Dundee The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....	1967	Magnificat anima mea dominum
University of Stirling University of Stirling The University of Stirling is a campus university founded by Royal charter in 1967, on the Airthrey Estate in Stirling, Scotland.-History and campus development:...	1967
Royal College of Art Royal College of Art The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...	1967
Cranfield University Cranfield University Cranfield University is a British postgraduate university based on two campuses, with a research-oriented focus. The main campus is at Cranfield, Bedfordshire and the second is the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom based at Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. The main campus is unique in the United...	1969	Post Nubes Lux

Intermediate era

Only three universities were founded between 1969 and 1992 and they were all the "odd-one-out" in some way: The Open University is the UK's only distance learning university; the University of Buckingham is the only private university

Private university

Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...

; and the University of Ulster was formed from the merger of a plate glass university with a polytechnic.

Name	Date of foundation	Motto
The Open University	1969	Live and Learn
University of Buckingham University of Buckingham The University of Buckingham is an independent, non-sectarian, research and teaching university located in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Great Ouse. It was originally founded as Buckingham University College in the 1970s and received its Royal Charter from the...	1976	Flying on our own Wings
University of Ulster University of Ulster The University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...	1984

1992 universities

The passage of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992

Further and Higher Education Act 1992

The Further and Higher Education Acts 1992 made changes in the funding and administration of further education and higher education within the United Kingdom. The most visible result was to allow thirty-five polytechnics to become universities. In addition the Act created bodies to fund higher...

allowed all polytechnics

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...

to become universities. 38 took up the offer immediately, nearly doubling the number universities again from 46 to 84.

Name	University status	Motto	Notes
Napier University Napier University Edinburgh Napier is one of the largest higher education institutions in Scotland with over 17,000 students, including nearly 5,000 international students, from more than 100 nations worldwide.-History:...	June 1992	Nisi sapientia frustra	founded as Napier Technical College 1964
Anglia Ruskin University Anglia Ruskin University Anglia Ruskin University is one of the largest universities in Eastern England, United Kingdom, with a total student population of around 30,000.-History:...	1992	A Creative Constellation	founded as Cambridge School of Art 1858; polytechnic 1991
Birmingham City University Birmingham City University Birmingham City University is a British university in the city of Birmingham, England. It is the second largest of three universities in the city, the other two being the Aston University and University of Birmingham...	16 June 1992		founded as City of Birmingham Polytechnic 1971
Bournemouth University Bournemouth University Bournemouth University is a university in and around the large south coast town of Bournemouth, UK...	27 November 1992	Discere Mutari Est
University of Brighton University of Brighton The University of Brighton is an English university of the United Kingdom, with a community of over 23,000 students and 2,600 staff based on campuses in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. It has one of the best teaching quality ratings in the UK and a strong research record, factors which...	1992		founded as Brighton Polytechnic 1968
University of Central Lancashire University of Central Lancashire The University of Central Lancashire is a university based in Preston, Lancashire, England.The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. In 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council...	1992	Ex Solo ad Solem	formerly Preston Polytechnic 1973
De Montfort University De Montfort University De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...	1992		founded as Leicester Polytechnic 1969
Coventry University Coventry University Coventry University is a post-1992 university in Coventry, West Midlands, England. Under the terms of the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992, the institution's name was changed from Coventry Polytechnic to Coventry University...	1992		founded as Lanchester Polytechnic 1970
University of Derby University of Derby The University of Derby is a university in the city of Derby, England. The main site is on Kedleston Road, Allestree in the north-west of Derby close to the A38 opposite Markeaton Park...	1992	Experientia Docet	formerly Derbyshire College of Higher Education
University of East London University of East London The University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...	1992		founded as North East London Polytechnic 1970
University of Glamorgan University of Glamorgan The University of Glamorgan is a university based in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales with campuses in Treforest, Glyntaff, Merthyr Tydfil, Tyn y Wern and Cardiff...	1992	Success Through Endeavour
University of Greenwich University of Greenwich The University of Greenwich is a British university located in the London Borough of Greenwich, London, England. The main campus is located on the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, a central location within the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.-History:The history of the...	1992	To learn, to do, to achieve
University of Hertfordshire University of Hertfordshire The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...	1992	Seek Knowledge Throughout Life
University of Huddersfield University of Huddersfield The University of Huddersfield is a university located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.- History :The University traces its roots back to a Science and Mechanic Institute founded in 1825...	1992
Kingston University Kingston University Kingston University is a public research university located in Kingston upon Thames, southwest London, United Kingdom. It was originally founded in 1899 as Kingston Technical Institute, a polytechnic, and became a university in 1992....	1992
Leeds Metropolitan University Leeds Metropolitan University Leeds Metropolitan University is a British University with three campuses. Two are situated in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England while the third is situated in Bhopal, India...	1992
University of Lincoln University of Lincoln The University of Lincoln is an English university founded in 1992, with origins tracing back to the foundation and association with the Hull School of Art 1861....	1992	Excellence through study	formerly Humberside Polytechnic (located in Kingston upon Hull); moved to Lincoln in 2001
Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool John Moores University is a British 'modern' university located in the city of Liverpool, England. The university is named after John Moores and was previously called Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts and later Liverpool Polytechnic before gaining university status in 1992, thus...	1992	Audentes Fortuna Juvat	Founded as Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts in 1823; became Liverpool Polytechnic
London South Bank University London South Bank University London South Bank University is a university in south London. With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff, it is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name...	1992	With Thy Might (Borough Polytechnic)	founded as the Borough Polytechnic Institute in 1892
Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester Metropolitan University is a university in North West England. Its headquarters and central campus is in the city of Manchester, but there are outlying facilities in the county of Cheshire. It is the third largest university in the United Kingdom in terms of student numbers, behind the...	1992	Many Arts, Many Skills
Middlesex University Middlesex University Middlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...	1992
Northumbria University Northumbria University Northumbria University is an academic institution located in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England. It is a member of the University Alliance.- History :...	1992
Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Trent University is a public teaching and research university in Nottingham, United Kingdom. It was founded as a new university in 1992 from the existing Trent Polytechnic , however it can trace its roots back to 1843 with the establishment of the Nottingham Government School of Design...	1992	Shaping futures	Founded as the Nottingham Government School of Design in 1843. The institution became Trent Polytechnic in 1970.
Oxford Brookes University Oxford Brookes University Oxford Brookes University is a new university in Oxford, England. It was named to honour the school's founding principal, John Brookes. It has been ranked as the best new university by the Sunday Times University Guide 10 years in a row...	1992	Excellence in diversity	Founded as the Oxford School of Art in 1865; became Oxford Polytechnic in 1970.
University of the West of Scotland	1992
University of Plymouth University of Plymouth Plymouth University is the largest university in the South West of England, with over 30,000 students and is 9th largest in the United Kingdom by total number of students . It has almost 3,000 staff...	1992	Indagate Fingite Invenite
University of Portsmouth University of Portsmouth The University of Portsmouth is a university in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The University was ranked 60th out of 122 in The Sunday Times University Guide...	1992	Lucem Sequamur
Robert Gordon University Robert Gordon University Robert Gordon University is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Building on over 250 years involvement in education, it was granted university status in 1992. Robert Gordon University currently has approximately 16,407 students at its two campuses at Garthdee and the City Centre, studying on over 145...	1992	Omni Nunc Arte Magistra
Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...	1992	Learn and Serve
Staffordshire University Staffordshire University Staffordshire University is a university with its main campus based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and with other campuses in Stafford, Lichfield and Shrewsbury.- History :...	1992	Create the difference
University of Sunderland University of Sunderland The University of Sunderland is located in Sunderland, north east England. The university has more than 17,500 students, including 7,000-plus international students from some 70 countries....	1992	Scientiam Dulce Hauriens
University of Teesside University of Teesside Teesside University is a university in Middlesbrough, England. It has a student body of 29,285 students as of the 2009/10 academic year. It recorded rises in applications of 25.1 per cent and 23.5 per cent for degree courses beginning in 2010, the highest such percentage increases of the five...	1992	Facta Non Verba	founded as Constantine Technical College 1930; polytechnic 1970
Thames Valley University Thames Valley University The University of West London is a public university based in London, United Kingdom, with campuses in Ealing and Brentford, London, and Reading, Berkshire....	1992
University of Westminster University of Westminster The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...	1992	Educating for professional life	The first polytechnic university - founded as the Royal Polytechnic Institution 1838
University of the West of England University of the West of England The University of the West of England is a university based in the English city of Bristol. Its main campus is at Frenchay, about five miles north of the city centre...	1992	Light Liberty Learning
University of Wolverhampton University of Wolverhampton The University of Wolverhampton is a British university located on four campuses across the West Midlands and Shropshire. The city campus is located in Wolverhampton city centre with a second campus at Compton Park, Wolverhampton; a third in Walsall and a fourth in Telford...	1992	Innovation and Opportunity
Glasgow Caledonian University Glasgow Caledonian University Glasgow Caledonian University is a public university in Glasgow, Scotland.The university was constituted by an Act of Parliament on 1 April 1993 as a result of a merger between Glasgow Polytechnic and The Queen's College, Glasgow....	1 April 1993	For the common weal
University of Abertay Dundee University of Abertay Dundee The University of Abertay Dundee, usually known simply as Abertay University, is a modern university in Dundee, Scotland.- History :The University of Abertay Dundee was created in 1994, under government legislation granting the title University to the Dundee Institute of Technology...	1994

Second wave of new universities

After a seven-year hiatus, a great number of polytechnics, university colleges and higher education institutes began to apply for university status. This was also the era of the break-up of the federal 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...

and the accreditation of its constituent college

College

A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...

s as individual universities. So far, 31 new universities have been created bringing the total number to 115.

Name	University status	Motto	Notes
University of Gloucestershire University of Gloucestershire The University of Gloucestershire is a university primarily based in Gloucestershire, England, spread over four campuses, three in Cheltenham and one in Gloucester...	2001	In animo et veritate
University of Wales, Newport University of Wales, Newport The University of Wales, Newport is a university based in Newport, South Wales. The university has two campuses; Caerleon on the northern outskirts of the city and a £35 million campus on the banks of the River Usk in Newport city centre opened in 2011...	2002
London Metropolitan University London Metropolitan University London Metropolitan University , located in London, England, was formed on 1 August 2002 by the amalgamation of the University of North London and the London Guildhall University . The University has campuses in the City of London and in the London Borough of Islington.The University operates its...	August 2002		Merger of London Guildhall University London Guildhall University London Guildhall University was a university in the United Kingdom from 1992 to 2002. On 1 August 2002, it merged with the University of North London to form London Metropolitan University... (est.1848) and the University of North London University of North London The University of North London was a university in the United Kingdom from 1992 to 2002. On 1 August 2002, it merged with London Guildhall University to form London Metropolitan University. The former University of North London premises now form the new university's north campus, situated on... (est.1896).
University of Bolton University of Bolton The University of Bolton is a university in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It has around 14,000 students across all sites and courses, with 700 academic and professional staff. Around 70% of its students come from Bolton and the North West region...	April 2004
University of the Arts London University of the Arts London The University of the Arts London, formerly known as the London Institute, is a collegiate university comprising six internationally recognised art, design, fashion and media colleges in London, England...	2004		The collegiate body was first introduced as the London Institute in 1986, and acquired university status in 2004 as the University of the Arts London. The six colleges of art, design, fashion and media have origins dating back to the mid 19th Century.
Cardiff University Cardiff University Cardiff 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...	1 August 2004	Gwirionedd Undod A Chytgord	Established 1883 as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire before becoming University of Wales, Cardiff and breaking from the University of Wales federation in 2004.
Roehampton University Roehampton University The University of Roehampton is a campus university in the United Kingdom, situated on three major sites in Roehampton, south-west London.-History:...	1 August 2004		Earliest constituent college (Whitelands College) founded in 1841.
University of Manchester University of Manchester The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...	1 October 2004	Cognitio, sapientia, humanitas	formed in 2004 by the dissolution of the Victoria University of Manchester (which was commonly known as the University of Manchester) and UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology) and the immediate formation of a single institution (inaugurated on 1 October)
Bath Spa University Bath Spa University Bath Spa University is a university based in, and around, Bath, England. The institution was previously known as Bath College of Higher Education, and later Bath Spa University College...	August 2005		founded as Bath College of Higher Education 1975; university college 1992
Canterbury Christ Church University Canterbury Christ Church University Canterbury Christ Church University is a university in Canterbury, Kent, England. Founded as a Church of England college for teaching training it has grown to full university status and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012. The focus of its work is in the education of people going into...	2005	Veritas liberabit vos
University of Chester University of Chester The University of Chester is a public research university located in Chester, United Kingdom. The University, based on a main campus in Chester and a smaller campus in Warrington, offers a range of foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as undertaking academic research.Chester...	2005	Qui docet in doctrina	founded as Chester Diocesan Training College in 1839; degrees awarded by University of Liverpool 1910; university college 2003
University of Chichester University of Chichester The University of Chichester is a university based in West Sussex, England. Campuses are based in the city of Chichester and the nearby coastal resort of Bognor Regis...	2005	Docendo discimus Docendo discimus Docendo discimus, . Seneca the Younger says in his letters to Lucilius Junior that we are learning if we teach...	founded as West Sussex Institute of Higher Education 1977; university college 1999; established as a provider of higher education in 1839
University of Winchester University of Winchester The University of Winchester is a British public university primarily based in Winchester, Hampshire, England. Winchester is a historic cathedral city and the ancient capital of Wessex and the Kingdom of England.-History:...	June 2005	Wisdom ond lar (from old English) Modern English translation: Wisdom and Knowledge	founded in 1840 as Winchester Diocesan Training School. In 1847 it became Winchester Training College and was renamed King Alfred's College in 1928; degree awarding powers in 2003 and became University College Winchester in 2004. In 2008 Winchester University was awarded Research awarding powers.
Liverpool Hope University Liverpool Hope University Liverpool Hope University is a university in Liverpool, England. Two of its three founding colleges were established in 1844 and 1856, the third opening in the 1960s. It is the only ecumenical university in Europe. Based on two campuses, the main campus is located in Childwall and the second...	July 2005	In Faith, Hope and Love	Originally three teacher training institutions, Christs College, Notre Dame and St Catherines which merged in the late 1970s to become Trinity College and then later Hope University
Southampton Solent University Southampton Solent University Southampton Solent University is a university of 17,000 students based in Southampton, United Kingdom. Its main campus is located on East Park Terrace near the city centre....	July 2005
University of Worcester University of Worcester The University of Worcester is a British university, based in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. It was granted university status in September 2005.-History:...	September 2005	Ad Inspirandum Aspiramus	founded as a teacher training college in 1946, absorbing the Herefordshire and Worcester College of Midwife training. Gained full university status in 2005 and became the University of Worcester University of Worcester The University of Worcester is a British university, based in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. It was granted university status in September 2005.-History:...
University of Northampton University of Northampton The University of Northampton is a university in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England.-History:In 1924, Northampton Technical College was opened at St George's Avenue, site of the current Avenue Campus. A new building for the college was formally opened by the then Duke and Duchess of York in 1932...	2005	Transforming lives, inspiring change
University of Bedfordshire University of Bedfordshire The University of Bedfordshire is based in Luton and Bedford, the two largest towns in the English county of Bedfordshire. The university was created by the merger of the University of Luton and the Bedford campus of De Montfort University on 1 August 2006 following approval by the Privy Council...	2006
Edge Hill University Edge Hill University Edge Hill University is situated in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England. It has three faculties: Education, Health and Social Care, and Arts and Sciences.- History :...	18 May 2006	In Scientia Opportunitas
York St John University York St John University York St John University York St John University York St John University (formerly known variously as York St John University College (2004), York St John College (2001), Ripon and York St John: a College of the University of Leeds (c. 1996), University College of Ripon and York St John...	10 July 2006
Queen Margaret University	January 2007
Buckinghamshire New University	2007	Arte et Industria	formerly Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education until 1995, then Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
Imperial College London Imperial College London Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...	8 July 2007	Scientia imperii decus et tutamen	founded 1907 as constituent college of University of London University of London -20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
University Campus Suffolk University Campus Suffolk University Campus Suffolk ' is an educational institution located in the county of Suffolk, United Kingdom that welcomed its first students in September 2007. Until then Suffolk was one of only three counties in England which did not have a University campus...	1 August 2007
University of Cumbria University of Cumbria The University of Cumbria is a university in Cumbria, England. Its headquarters are in Carlisle. and other major campuses are at Lancaster, Ambleside and Penrith. It was established in 2007, with roots extending back to the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts established in 1822 and...	1 August 2007		merger of St Martin's College St Martin's College St Martin's College was a British Higher Education College with campuses in Lancaster, Ambleside and Carlisle, as well as sites in Whitehaven, Barrow and London. It provided undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts, humanities, business studies, teacher training, health and social care... , Cumbria Institute of the Arts Cumbria Institute of the Arts The Cumbria Institute of the Arts was a further and higher education institution in Carlisle, Cumbria, England.-History:Founded as the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts in 1822, it proceeded as the Carlisle College of Art, from 1950, and switched to Cumbria Institute of the Arts from... and part of University of Central Lancashire University of Central Lancashire The University of Central Lancashire is a university based in Preston, Lancashire, England.The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. In 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council...
Aberystwyth University	1 September 2007	Nid Byd, Byd Heb Wybodaeth	founded as University College Wales 1872; founder member of 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... 1893
Bangor University Bangor University Bangor University is a university based in the city of Bangor in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales-United Kingdom.It was officially known for most of its history as the University College of North Wales...	1 September 2007	Gorau Dawn Deall	founded as University College of North Wales 1884; founder member of 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... 1893
University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge...	1 September 2007	Gair Duw Goreu Dysg	founded as St David's College 1828; merged with 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... 1971
Swansea University Swansea University Swansea University is a university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it changed its name to the University of Wales Swansea following structural changes...	1 September 2007	Gweddw crefft heb ei dawn	Broke away from 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... , which it joined as a constituent college in 1920, to begin awarding own degrees.
Trinity University College	1 September 2007		founded as Trinity College, Carmarthen 1848
Cardiff Metropolitan University	1 September 2007	The most valuable possession is knowledge	Named University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) until October 2011
Swansea Metropolitan University	January 2008		founded as Swansea Institute of Higher Education 1992
Glyndŵr University	July 2008		founded as Wrexham School of Science and Art 1887
University of Wales, Trinity Saint David	2010		Merger between University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge... (1828) and Trinity University College
University of the Highlands and Islands	2011		The "UHI Millenium institute", a collegiate partnership of 13 colleges and research institutions scattered throughout the highlands and islands, Moray, and Perthshire and providing in excess of 50 additional learning centres in the same areas gained full university status as The University of the Highlands and Islands (Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean) in 2011; it had been a Higher Education Institute since 2001, and acquired the power to grant its own degrees from 2008, prior to which its degrees were authenticated by Open University Validation Service, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Aberdeen

Former universities

This table contains universities that were given a Royal Charter and awarded degrees but were dissolved either by merging, splitting or just closing down.

Name	University status	Motto	Dissolved	Reason
Victoria University Victoria University (UK) Victoria University was an English federal university established by Royal Charter, 20 April 1880 at Manchester: a university for the North of England open to affiliation by colleges such as Owens College which immediately did so. University College Liverpool joined the University in 1884, followed...	20 April 1880		1 October 1904	Leeds and Liverpool left; surviving college became Victoria University of Manchester Victoria University of Manchester The Victoria University of Manchester was a university in Manchester, England. On 1 October 2004 it merged with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology to form a new entity, "The University of Manchester".-1851 - 1951:The University was founded in 1851 as Owens College,...
Victoria University of Manchester Victoria University of Manchester The Victoria University of Manchester was a university in Manchester, England. On 1 October 2004 it merged with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology to form a new entity, "The University of Manchester".-1851 - 1951:The University was founded in 1851 as Owens College,...	1 October 1904	Arduus Ad Solem	1 October 2004	merged with UMIST UMIST The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology was a university based in the centre of the city of Manchester in England. It specialised in technical and scientific subjects and was a major centre for research... to form the University of Manchester University of Manchester The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
New University of Ulster	1968		1984	merged with Ulster Polytechnic to form University of Ulster University of Ulster The University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...
St Martin's College St Martin's College St Martin's College was a British Higher Education College with campuses in Lancaster, Ambleside and Carlisle, as well as sites in Whitehaven, Barrow and London. It provided undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts, humanities, business studies, teacher training, health and social care...	2006		1 August 2007	merged with Cumbria Institute of the Arts and part of University of Central Lancashire to form University of Cumbria University of Cumbria The University of Cumbria is a university in Cumbria, England. Its headquarters are in Carlisle. and other major campuses are at Lancaster, Ambleside and Penrith. It was established in 2007, with roots extending back to the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts established in 1822 and...
University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge...	1828	Gair Duw Goreu Dysg	2010	merged with Trinity University College to form University of Wales, Trinity Saint David
Trinity University College	1 September 2007		2010	merged with University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge... to form University of Wales, Trinity Saint David