Coventry University

Coventry gained its second university in 1992 when the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992 paved the way for Polytechnic Colleges and other further education institutions to become universities. Prior to 1992 the only university in Coventry was the University of Warwick.

The name of Coventry's first university causes much confusion to this day so before we cover the main subject of this article i.e. Coventry University; we must deal with the confusion of Coventry's first university not bearing the city's name.

As Coventry started to recover from the ravages of World War 2, it was seen as essential by Coventry Corporation and Warwickshire County to have a university in the county and a site within the city boundary was identified. After much discussion and some argument, it was agreed that Coventry's first university would be called the University of Warwick to reflect the County and not just the City of Coventry. This has led to much confusion over the years with people being puzzled to find that the campus is in Coventry and not Warwick. The national and international press invariably caption any reports from the campus as being from Warwick and not Coventry. Many people in Coventry therefore feel the city has not gained the level of prestige that it should do from being the home to one of the world's finest universities.

So the University of Warwick was the only university in Coventry until 1992. When the former Lanchester Polytechnic wanted to adopt the name of University of Coventry, the University of Warwick objected on the grounds that it was not THE University of Coventry; there were now two universities in Coventry. So the name selected was Coventry University.

The City of Coventry has a long and rich history in design, creativity and innovation. In 1835 the Mechanics Institute merged with the Religious and Useful Knowledge Society and then became the Coventry Institute in 1855. A further merger took place with the Technical Institute in 1902. Then in 1961 the Lanchester College of Technology was created and the Technical Institute transformed into the new college. This was named after F.W. Lanchester, a car manufacturer in Coventry which later merged with Daimler.

Another important element of the roots of Coventry University is the Coventry College of Design. This became the Coventry School of Art in 1852 and then in 1888 all science learning was moved to the Technical Institute. Then in 1902 a further change saw the school become the Municipal School of Art and then another change in 1954 saw the formation of the College of Art.

In 1970 the Lanchester College of Technology, Rugby College of Engineering Technology, and the College of Art formed into the Lanchester Polytechnic; in 1987 this was renamed the Coventry Polytechnic and became Coventry University in 1992.

Just to emphasise the tradition of creating confusion regarding the identity of higher education establishments in Coventry, the name Lanchester led to some people thinking the institute was in Manchester, Lancaster and even Lanchester in county Durham!

One cannot help think that it could have saved a lot of wasted time, confusion and corrective actions if the higher education establishments in Coventry had actually been named after the city in which they reside.

Coventry University's logo is the Phoenix and this symbolises how the City of Coventry rose from the ashes of devastation following the dreadful bombing raids on the city by Nazi Germany.

The city centre campus
The Coventry University campus in the centre of Coventry has expanded since 1992 and continues to do so. The buildings are a mix of existing, new and re-used buildings that have been given a new lease of life.

The William Morris Building in Gosford Street was formerly a car engine factory and has been skilfully re-worked to keep the original architecture with modern enhancements such as energy efficient fittings, modern windows and careful additions.

Behind the Morris building is the modern and striking Coventry University library building. This building is called the Fredrick Lanchester Building after the Coventry based designer of the first British petrol-driven car.

Walking in the direction of Coventry city centre from the Morris building pass under the Coventry ring road and then arrive at the junction of Gosford Street/Whitefriars Street/Jordan Well/Cox Street. Glance to the right and see the Graham Sutherland Building. This was named after the painter and print maker who created the world-famous tapestry which hangs in Coventry Cathedral. The building is the School of Art and Design.

Opposite the Graham Sutherland Building in Cox Street is the James Starley Building. Starley was the inventor of the Coventry tricycle and father of the bicycle industry. It was his family business that eventually formed the Rover Car Company in Coventry.

Going back to the junction and standing outside the former Sir Colin Campbell pub, now called the Phoenix, walk towards Coventry city centre and just inside Jordan well you will be at the Ellen Terry Building. Ellen was a famous Coventry born Shakespearian actress in the 19th century. This building is also part of the School of Art and Design and is used by students of the performing arts, music and media production. This is also a regular venue for the popular free event Coventry Conversations.

Back track slightly now from the Ellen Terry Building and walk up Whitefriars Street. On the right hand side you will come to the Whitefriars Building. This is used by the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. A bit further along Whitefriars Street is the Sports Centre.

By tracking back towards Jordan Well pass the Ellen Terry Building and arrive at the Richard Crossman Building. Crossman was a famous political journalist and Labour Party MP. He represented Coventry East constituency from 1945 to 1974. This building is the main site for the Faculty of Health and Life Science.

Further up Jordan Well and opposite the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is Much Park Street. Walk down the street and pass the side of the Richard Crossman Building and there is the Sir John Laing Building, named after the civil engineer.

Back towards the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and across Jordan Well walk along Priory Street towards Coventry Cathedral. Opposite the Cathedral we will see a number of Coventry University buildings.
The main reception of Coventry University is in the Alan Berry Building, named after a former Chief Executive of the West Midlands Engineering Employers' Association.

In between this building and the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is the latest addition to the campus - The Hub.

Facts about The Hub:

• The Hub is the greenest building on campus and sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.

• Its ‘green credentials' include ground source cooling; natural ventilation; solar water heating; grey water harvesting, with rain water used in toilets; a green roof.

• BREEAM status is widely used to measure a building's environment performance, and The Hub has achieved a BREEAM status of Excellent.

• The £32m Hub is part of the £150m redevelopment programme at the city centre campus. Through the day it provides an ideal environment to relax with friends or study informally, with facilities including a doctors' surgery, hairdressers, food court and students' union. In the evening it becomes a vibrant venue with bars, a 700-capacity club, a cinema and performing arts space.

To the right of this building is the former Students Union and this is a building with a rich music history.
Many famous bands and musicians have performed in the Coventry University Students Union, also known as the "Lanch".
Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart with their band the Tourists, T-Rex, Cream, U2, The Clash, The Sex Pistols and of course Coventry's own 2-tone bands the Selector and the Specials.
 

Behind the students union is the Charles Ward Building. Mr Ward was a Governor from 1973 - 1988 and vice chair of Governors 1982-1988. This building is used by the Faculty of Business, Environment and Society. It is also used by the Faculty of Health and Life Science.

Next to the Charles Ward Building there is the George Eliot Building. This building is named after the Novelist and poet who was in fact a lady called Mary Ann Evans. She was born in Arbury near Nuneaton one of Coventry's neighbouring towns in 1819. She used the pseudonym George Eliot because it was the best way to get her work published in Victorian England. This building is used by the same Faculties as the Charles Ward Building.

To the right there is the Hillman/Humber Lecture Theatres. This complex is named after a couple of famous Coventry car manufacturers.

Return to Cox Street and walk down the hill and cross the road where there is another Students Union Building. Going back up the hill there is the Maurice Foss Building. Mr Foss was the former Deputy Director of Coventry Polytechnic. This building is used by the Faculty of Engineering and Computing.

Continuing to walk up Cox Street we come to the Bugatti Building, so called because it is sponsored by the Bugatti Trust.

Now back to the top of Cox Street and passed the Graham Sutherland Building. We then turn left into Gosford Street and back down towards and under the Coventry ring road flyover.

On the left is the Jaguar Building which is sponsored by the world famous Jaguar Car Company which has been such an important part of the City of Coventry since the 1920's. In this building you will find the home of the School of Life Long Learning and the Centre for the Study of Higher Education.

Behind the Jaguar Building you will find the Armstrong Siddeley Building. This is named after a Coventry company which designed and built cars, aircraft engines and aircraft. This company was absorbed into Rolls-Royce in 1966 and this company still has a large factory in Ansty on the outskirts of Coventry.
The Armstrong Siddeley is used by the Engineering Faculty and the Computing Faculty.

In between the Jaguar Building and the Armstrong Siddeley Building towards Sky Blue Way is the Sir William Lyons Building named after one of the founding fathers of Jaguar Cars.

In addition to the city centre campus there are various halls of residence around Coventry and there is also the Coventry University Business Park on the former Rolls-Royce factory site in Phoenix Way, Cheylesmore, CV1 2TT.
Here you will find The TechnoCentre, The Enterprise Centre, Design Hub and Institute for Creative Enterprise (ICE).

You can find hotels near Coventry University and accommodation near Coventry University on Activ Coventry a comprehensive guide to Coventry.

Find Coventry University

Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry
CV1 5FB
United Kingdom

Phone : +44 (0)24 7688 7688

E-mail: studentenquiries@coventry.ac.uk
E-mail: gradadmissions.uni@coventry.ac.uk

Overseas enquiries contact:

Phone: +44 2476 152 152
E-mail: enquiries.io@coventry.ac.uk

Coventry University London Campus

Coventry University opened its London Campus in 2010 in the heart of the City of London. It is just a short walk from Liverpool Street Train Station.
Coventry University London Campus,
East India House,
109-117 Middlesex Street,
London,
E1 7JF

Coventry University tuition fees for 2012

Coventry has set six fee levels for 2012 following the changes made to university funding by the con/dem coalition government.

Part-time courses on employer premises - up to £4,600 pa.

Foundation level and most part-time courses - up to £4,800 pa.

The classroom-based degrees, such as Business Studies, English and Psychology - £7,500 pa.

The studio and activity-based degrees, such as Fine Art, Geography and Music - £7,900 pa.

The laboratory-based degrees, such as Media Production, Computing and Biological Sciences - £8,300 pa.

Specialist degree courses, such as Automotive and Transport Design, Engineering, and Fashion - which compete directly with top-ranking universities both in the UK and overseas and are the most expensive courses to study at £9,000 pa.

Students who decide to study at Coventry University will have the cost of core textbooks, starter packs, printing credits and mandatory field trips or day visits in the UK included in the tuition fees. Coventry University will also use scholarship money to support students from low income backgrounds with cash and fee waivers, as well as grants for internships and overseas study or work experience.

For more information on Coventry University