Shrewsbury university planning year of expansion in 2016
The new year will be bringing further expansion to University Centre Shrewsbury.
Boasting more than 80 students, applications for the 2016 intake are "substantially" up on this year.
And a packed programme of public events will continue to develop strong bonds between the university and the community.
Provost of University Centre Shrewsbury, Anna Sutton, is delighted with how the first term has gone and how the university has been welcomed by the town.
"The first term has gone really well and we have not only forged strong links with the local community and businesses but also created a very friendly environment for students to study in," she said.
"This first term has been about welcoming under graduates and post-graduates and now we have about 90 students in total. Student retention has been great and we have not lost one student. In fact, we have had a number of students join us mid-term from other universities where they found the courses did not fit them. The great thing about University Centre Shrewsbury is that we are a very friendly place where students and staff know each other very well.
Engage
"We offer small tutorial groups similar to those on the Oxbridge basis which allow staff to engage directly with the students.
"If you consider all that has been done to get University Centre Shrewsbury up and running in just two years, it is a phenomenal achievement. The Guildhall was transformed into a teaching establishment in just 10 weeks. It has been done to a very high specification and it was only when we were in the building that we knew whether it was going to work or not. And I have to say it has been a great success. I am very pleased with the environment we have here."
She added that the launch of the public events programme will further foster links with the community.
"The events programme will open the University Centre Shrewsbury up to the local community. This is their university and that is why we are trying different events that will appeal to a broad spectrum of the population."
Included in the programme is a talk by TV star and Heritage Alliance chairman Loyd Grossman.
Flight Lieutenant James Penny (retired) will be talking about his experiences as a pilot of Lancaster bombers in World War Two. There will also be talks on Darwin's childhood garden, the Roundheads in Shropshire and the evolution of the musical brain.
For more information contact (01743) 297185.
