University of Huddersfield

Summary

History

TThe University of Huddersfield traces its roots back to the Young Men’s Mental Improvement Society, founded in 1841, (which later developed into a Mechanics’ Institute and a Technical College) with some 19th century students earning qualifications as external students of the University of London. In 1970 the College and the Oastler College amalgamated to become Huddersfield Polytechnic, which in turn became the University of Huddersfield in 1992.

The University is continually investing in their campus. The latest development, the £28 million Oastler Building which was opened in April 2017 is the home for Media, Humanities and Music.

University Environment

The University of Huddersfield is situated in Yorkshire, Northern England. The campus, Queensgate, situated in Huddersfield town centre, is well-connected in terms of transport links and has a great close knit atmosphere.

On campus, you’ll find all academic schools, the library, quiet study spaces and research facilities alongside green spaces, places to eat and a gym. The University has invested nearly £156 million in campus development, and has fantastic facilities including specialist laboratories, studios and performance spaces. There's also a working canal that runs through the heart of the campus with a tree-lined towpath, perfect for those downtime moments.

Academics

Academic Schools & Departments

• School of Applied Sciences

  • Department of Biological & Geographical Sciences
  • Department of Chemical Sciences
  • Department of Pharmacy

• School of Art, Design & Architecture

  • Department of Architecture & 3D Design
  • Department of Arts & Communication
  • Department of Fashion & Textile

• Business School

  • Department of Accountancy, Finance & Economics
  • Law School
  • Department of Logistics, Marketing, Hospitality & Analytics
  • Department of Management

• School of Computing & Engineering

  • Department of Computer Science
  • Department Engineering & Technology

• School of Education & Professional Development

  • Department of Education & Community Studies
  • Department of Initial Teacher Training

• School of Human & Health Sciences

  • Department of Allied Health Professions, Sport & Exercise
  • Department of Behavioural & Social Sciences
  • Department of Nursing & Midwifery
  • Department of Psychology

• School of Music, Humanities & Media

  • Department of English, Linguistics & History
  • Department of Media, Journalism & Film
  • Department Music & Drama

Research

The University of Huddersfield is on target to achieve its goal of becoming an internationally recognised innovation and research-led institution.

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) the overall percentage of world-leading and internationally excellent research submitted by Huddersfield increased from 33% in the 2008 RAE to 58%. More University of Huddersfield staff than ever before were entered for the REF 2014.

The University is now in the top half of the UK Research Power league table. Research power is the number of researchers submitted to the REF multiplied by their combined ‘grade point average’ – the average score of all research submitted on a scale of 0-4 – and demonstrates the broad strength of research at an institution. Here, the University has made a significant increase in its performance, rising from 97th in 2008 to 68th in the UK from 154 HEIs - the third strongest performance in the UK.

International & Industrial Opportunities

The University offers a range of exciting opportunities to study and work abroad. Within Europe, the University is part of Erasmus+, the European Commission's exchange programme that enables students in 31 European countries to study, work or teach for part of their degree.

Opportunities are also available for Huddersfield students wanting to participate in exchanges outside the European Union. Huddersfield has formal exchange agreements with several international partners including universities in South Korea, Hong Kong and USA.

Most of the courses at Huddersfield include the opportunity to gain industry experience. A work placement can last for 1 to 48 weeks. If you have a burning desire to work overseas, the University will work with you to try and ensure you secure an international placement. If you think you’ve got what it takes, you could choose to set up and run your own business during an Enterprise Placement Year – instead of taking a conventional work placement with an employer.

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

The University of Huddersfield scholarship of £1,000 is available to eligible students in their first year of study. Please read the University of Huddersfield Scholarship Programme principles and rules for full details.

Facilities

Learning Facilities 

The Library, at the heart of campus is open seven days a week during term time and round the clock for most of the year . With over 1,000 study spaces, 500 ultra modern PCs and Macs plus over 330,000 books, journals and specialist support librarians, you won't struggle for inspiration.

The University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Brightspace provides essential information for students’ courses. The IT Training Team and HudStudy offer a range of development opportunities to help students to improve their IT skills, and gain confidence with the software provided by the University.

The Modern Languages Centre offers a range of languages, including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. To help with language learning there are PCs equipped with Sanako language-learning software as well as digital satellite TV with access to stations from all over the world. The self-access Studio is equipped with dictionaries, magazines and newspapers, reference books and audio-visual aids in a multitude of languages.

Sports Facilities 

The University has invested a great deal in order to provide students and staff with a great recreational experience. The Sports Facilities are located in the Student Central building on campus. There is a Sports Hall on campus where most of the Sport and Fitness activities take place as well as a Fitness Suite with a variety of Techno Gym equipment, and state of the art squash courts.

The Students’ Union also runs a number of sports societies for students to get involved in.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

The Huddersfield Students’ Union offers more than 30 sports teams and more than 40 societies for you to get involved in. There is a bar where music concerts and comedy nights take place, as well as a café and shop within the Union. The radio (RADIOHUD) and magazine (T’HUD) are also great to get involved in, especially for media and journalism students.

The Students’ Union also provides advice on academic, financial, employment and housing issues. H.A.V.E.N. (Huddersfield Abuse and Violence Education Network) is part of a project by the Students’ Union to improve understanding of sexual and domestic abuse, in order to create a safer environment for students on campus.

The Union encourages students to volunteer and works with ‘Volunteering Kirklees’ the ‘Do-it Trust’ and more than 15 Community Partners, to spread the volunteering opportunities across not only Huddersfield, but all surrounding areas. So wherever you live and whatever your commute, there's something that will work for you! Volunteering opportunities are also posted in the University Job Shop.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

The University has a team of Faith Advisers and Chaplains based in the Faith Centre on campus. The Faith Centre is a space for people of all faiths or none. The centre is open throughout the year from 6:00 am- 10:00pm for students and staff to pray, relax, meet friends or complete work.

The Faith Centre is split into various rooms, including a community lounge, Christian prayer room, Muslim prayer room, multifaith prayer room and a meeting room.

The community lounge is the perfect place to unwind on campus. With free tea and coffee facilities, plus a Wii and board games, the centre provides a relaxed, respectful atmosphere to meet friends or catch up on assignments.

Health & Wellbeing

At Huddersfield there is a University Health Centre located on the edge of the campus. The practice area covers the halls of residences and addresses up to three miles away.

The Wellbeing Services help students get the most out of their time at University. They offer confidential one-to-one appointments, counselling services, workshops and group support for a wide range of personal and emotional concerns, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or eating disorders.

Big White Wall, a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online support network that you can access at home or on campus. Big White Wall offers confidential advice, peer support, online support programmes and a place to express yourself.

The University’s Disability Service works with staff and policy makers to ensure students reach their potential at university. Every student registered with the service is allocated a dedicated Disability Advisor who will support you from day one to graduation. The advisor can arrange dyslexia screenings, advise on disability specific issues such as campus accessibility and facilities or assistive software. It can also help with organising support workers such as dyslexia tutors and note-takers.

There is also an online Support Directory that covers a wide variety of topics and gives you recommendation of where to go when you are in need.

Career Facilities

The University of Huddersfield has an award-winning Careers and Employability Service, which provides career guides, career mentoring networks, one-to-one appointments, interviewing and training techniques, help with writing personal statements and CV checking. There is a Careers Information Library containing all the information, reference materials and interactive tools you need to help support you in your career planning. The University also holds careers fairs throughout the year, as well as career development workshops which include input from employers.

There is an Enterprise Team to help current students and graduates of up to 5 years develop freelance opportunities through self-employment, or start-up their own business. It provides a professional environment and a range of free services including one-to-one mentoring from an experienced business mentor; office and meeting facilities; research sources, including useful business templates; and a weekly event programme throughout the year, providing formal presentations on business-related issues, inspirational entrepreneurial speakers and “Ask the Expert” seminars. The 3M Buckley Innovation Centre is for science and technology companies to engage students in collaborative and applied research, and development projects. Space is available on a commercial basis for entrepreneurial students with business ideas who will benefit from a real commercial environment.

The JobShop Service helps you find part-time work while you are studying with new vacancies uploaded every day, information on areas accessible for work, advice on where to look for part time work, advice on what employers look for, and help enhancing your applications and CVs.

Accommodation

Accommodation at the University is run privately by DIGS Student. You can live in these for your first year or throughout your stay at university. Students can choose from Storthes Hall Park Student Village or the quieter Ashenhurst Student Houses. All are self-catered. Storthes Hall is a 15 minute bus ride from the University. It has an on-site entertainment venue for residents to enjoy socialising with their fellow students during term time. There is also an on-site mini-market, a launderette and a gym. Ashenhurst is located just a 15 minute walk from Huddersfield University and is set in beautiful surroundings. There is a launderette, TV lounge and reception on site. There are also outside picnic areas that are always enjoyed in the summer term, as well as free broadband included in the rent.

In addition to the University preferred and approved accommodation provider, there are a number of student accommodation options by HudLet.

International

English Language Requirements

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent will be considered acceptable.

If you don’t yet meet these requirements, don’t worry as there is an extensive Pre-Sessional English Programme (PSP) on campus for you.

International Scholarships

All self-funding international applicants for eligible programmes are automatically considered for an international scholarship of £2,000 for every year of study, except for the placement year.

International Support 

There is a University approved taxi service that can meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation in Huddersfield. This service is open to all international students arriving into the UK, but you have to book in advance.

There is an International Office at Huddersfield for all international students, that can help with issues and enquiries, thus allowing the students to settle quickly into their new environment. There are also a number of international societies which provide a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and meet new friends. One of the highlights is the International Food and Culture Festival.

Media