University of Roehampton, London

The University of Roehampton, London, is a public university situated in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It traces its origins to four teacher training colleges founded in the 19th century: Whitelands College, Southlands College, Digby Stuart College, and Froebel College. These colleges now form the university’s collegiate system, offering a supportive structure for students.

From 2000 to 2004, Roehampton was part of the Federal University of Surrey before becoming an independent institution in 2004. It adopted the name University of Roehampton in 2011 and is a member of the European University Association and Universities UK.

The university comprises several academic faculties and schools, including Business and Law, Arts, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life and Health Sciences, and Psychology. In 2020, it partnered with Croydon College to expand academic delivery. Roehampton received a Silver rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 77% of Roehampton’s research was rated as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'. The university has nine research centres, with themes ranging from sustainability and psychological wellbeing to creative arts and social justice. Roehampton has strong links with local organisations and runs various cultural and educational partnerships.

Facilities include a modern library, e-sports arena, biomechanics laboratory, and the Mary Seacole Health Innovation Centre. The campus offers various student accommodation options across its four colleges. The Roehampton Students’ Union organises major student events, sustainability projects like Growhampton, and supports student-led initiatives such as the Third Row Dance Company.

The University of Roehampton, London, has a history that spans over 180 years, rooted in four distinct educational institutions established during the 19th century. Each of these colleges was originally founded to address the educational needs of society, particularly in the field of teacher training, and they eventually came together to form the modern university.

Whitelands College was established in 1841 by the Church of England, making it one of the oldest higher education institutions in the United Kingdom dedicated to the training of women teachers. Located in Chelsea before moving to Roehampton, it was the first college in the UK to offer higher education to women. Its current campus overlooks Richmond Park.

Southlands College was founded by the Methodist Church in 1872. Originally based in Battersea, it served as a teacher training college for women. In 1965, it became co-educational. Today, it houses the university's Business School and continues to maintain its Methodist foundation.

Digby Stuart College was founded in 1874 by the Society of the Sacred Heart, a Roman Catholic religious order. It focused on educating women, particularly in the field of teaching. The order still supports the college and contributes to its Catholic ethos.

Froebel College was established in 1892, inspired by the educational principles of Friedrich Fröbel, the German pedagogue known for promoting early childhood education. Unlike the other colleges, Froebel was secular and focused on holistic child development.

In 1976, these four colleges came together to form the Roehampton Institute of Higher Education. The merger allowed for a broader academic portfolio and the consolidation of administrative functions, while still preserving the unique identities of the constituent colleges. The Institute offered undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and began to expand its academic disciplines beyond teacher training.

Kevin Keohane, a former Professor of Science Education, became the Institute's first Rector and played a significant role in shaping its academic vision.

Between 2000 and 2004, the Roehampton Institute entered a federal partnership with the University of Surrey and was known as the Federal University of Surrey, Roehampton. During this time, it awarded degrees validated by the University of Surrey, but retained a distinct academic identity.

In 2004, Roehampton achieved independent university status and was granted the power to award its own degrees. Initially known as Roehampton University, it adopted the title University of Roehampton in 2011, though its legal name remains unchanged.

In 2012, the final legal merger of Whitelands College into the University of Roehampton was completed, bringing all four colleges into a unified management structure. Despite this consolidation, the university continues to operate a collegiate system, with each college offering its own community, facilities, and identity.

Since gaining university status, Roehampton has made significant progress in academic research and higher education provision. It has expanded its faculties to include disciplines such as business, law, arts, humanities, health sciences, and psychology. The university also developed several research centres addressing contemporary social, scientific, and cultural issues.

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Roehampton was recognised as the most research-intensive post-1992 university in the UK. Dance and education emerged as key strengths, with high rankings for research quality.

In REF 2021, 77% of the university’s submitted research was rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Roehampton has nine active research centres, focusing on themes such as sustainability, faith in society, psychological wellbeing, and arts-based social inquiry.

The University of Roehampton has formed strong links with local authorities, cultural organisations, charities, and educational institutions. These partnerships support community engagement, student placements, and collaborative research. Notable collaborators include Crystal Palace Football Club, Wandsworth Council, Kew Gardens, and local health trusts.

Significant infrastructure developments have taken place, including the construction of a new library in 2017, a biomechanics laboratory, and the Mary Seacole Health Innovation Centre in 2023. The university was also the first in the UK to introduce scholarships in e-sports, highlighting a focus on contemporary educational interests.

The university campus comprises various accommodation options and historic buildings, such as Grove House and Parkstead House, both of which reflect the institution’s long-standing presence in southwest London.

The University of Roehampton offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various academic disciplines, reflecting its commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education. Courses are delivered through several academic faculties and schools, each with a strong focus on teaching, research, and professional development.

Undergraduate programmes at Roehampton cover a broad spectrum of subject areas. The Faculty of Business and Law offers courses such as Business Management, Accounting, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Law. These courses are designed to prepare students for the workplace by combining theoretical learning with practical case studies and placements.

The School of Education, historically one of Roehampton’s strongest departments, provides degrees in Primary Education, Early Childhood Studies, and Special Educational Needs. It is recognised as one of the leading providers of teacher training in the UK.

Students interested in the arts and humanities can pursue degrees in English Literature, History, Creative Writing, Media and Communications, and Film through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The School of Arts also offers courses in Performing Arts, Dance, and Music, supported by specialist facilities and studios.

The School of Life and Health Sciences provides programmes in Biomedical Science, Nutrition and Health, Nursing, and Sport and Exercise Science, supported by laboratories and health training centres. The School of Psychology delivers accredited psychology degrees with pathways in counselling, mental health, and forensic psychology.

Roehampton has also introduced courses in Sustainable Engineering and Technology, reflecting the growing importance of environmental education and innovation in engineering practice.

At the postgraduate level, Roehampton offers Master’s degrees, PGCE teacher training programmes, and research degrees (MPhil/PhD) across its disciplines. Courses include MBA, MA in Human Rights and International Relations, MSc in Global Marketing, MA in Creative Writing, and MSc in Clinical Neuroscience. Teacher education at postgraduate level is offered through PGCEs in both primary and secondary education, which are rated highly by Ofsted.

Flexible study options, including part-time and distance learning, are available for many courses, providing accessibility for working professionals and international students.

The University of Roehampton, London, holds a modest but growing position in global university rankings, reflecting its development as a post-1992 institution. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2018), Roehampton was placed in the 251–300 band, acknowledging its strength in specific academic disciplines.

In the QS Sustainability Rankings, which assess institutions on environmental and social impact, Roehampton is ranked 1501+, indicating the need for further progress in sustainability initiatives on a global scale.

Within Europe, the university appears in the QS Europe University Rankings, where it is ranked =424 overall. In the Northern Europe category, Roehampton is placed 140th, reflecting its regional relevance in teaching and research.

Additionally, in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Roehampton is placed in the 801–1000 band globally. This ranking is based on teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income.

The University of Roehampton, London, demonstrates a strong job integration rate, supporting graduates in entering skilled employment across a range of sectors. According to the latest Graduate Outcomes report, the university has improved by six places in comparison to the wider higher education sector in terms of the proportion of students securing highly skilled employment.

The university offers a structured placement year for undergraduate students, typically undertaken between the second and final years of study. These placements, lasting 11 to 13 months, provide practical experience and are formally recognised on the academic transcript. This opportunity helps students develop transferable skills, apply academic learning in real work environments, and enhance employability.

Roehampton graduates benefit from a reported employment rate of 93%, with many entering professional roles in major global companies. Leading employers include Amazon, Apple, and Intel. Graduates at the Master’s level earn an average salary of around $62,000, depending on the sector and role.

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