History

The University of Bath was granted university status in 1966 by Royal Charter, however our roots can be traced back to the Bristol Trade School - a technical school established in 1856.

In 1885 the school was renamed the Merchant Venturers' Technical College and in 1929 the Bath School of Pharmacy became part of the college.

By 1960 the college had become the Bristol College of Science and Technology and, following the Robbins Report of 1963, which recommended immediate expansion of universities, began to look at gaining university status.

With the college rapidly expanding and no suitable site available in Bristol, a chance conversation between the college principal and the Director of Education in Bath led to an agreement to provide the college with a new home in Claverton Down, Bath.

The first building on campus was completed in 1965 (becoming the building now known as 4 South), just a year before the Royal Charter was granted.

Our values

We have established ourselves as a top ten UK university with a reputation for research and teaching excellence. Our community is characterised by its culture of high achievement, enterprise and creativity.

Our values are evidenced in our commitment to:

• o    quality and excellence
• o    the highest standards of scientific and professional integrity
• o    freedom to challenge received wisdom
• o    encouraging high aspirations
• o    equality and diversity
• o    working responsibly and with respect for others
• o    best environmental practice

Prized attributes

The attributes that our community prizes are:

The determination to excel: proactive in positioning ourselves for future excellence and success, ambitious in our goals, and united in our drive to achieve greater international prominence and higher standards.

An enterprising approach: encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship across the community, researching new ways to meet global challenges, developing problem-solving and enterprise skills, and introducing more effective business processes.

An international perspective: attracting the best staff and students from around the world, placing research and teaching in an international context and forming strategic alliances with leading international partners.

A supportive culture: creating a welcoming, inclusive campus community that values the individual and supports the realisation of their potential.

A collaborative style of working: pursuing research and teaching in partnership with business, the professions, the public sector, the voluntary sector and other partners.