Regent's University London is a non-profitprivate university located in London, United Kingdom. It was established in 1984 as Regent's College. In 1985 it acquired the former South Villa Estate campus of the University of London's Bedford College in Regent's Park. Regent's University London received taught degree awarding powers in 2012 and became a university in 2013. It is one of five private universities in the UK. The university has its campus in Regent's Park, Central London.
History
In 1985 it acquired the former South Villa Estate campus of the University of London's Bedford College in Regent's Park. The site was leased by Bedford College in 1908, and a new set of buildings designed by the architect Basil Champneys was opened by Queen Mary in 1913. The buildings were modified and added to over the years, especially after bomb damage during the Second World War. Bedford College merged with Royal Holloway College in 1985 and moved to Royal Holloway's campus at Egham in Surrey, vacating the premises in Regent's Park. Regent's College gradually expanded and the European Business School London moved to the College campus in 1987. In July 2012 it was announced that Regent's College had been awarded taught degree-awarding powers from 1 September 2012. Institutions that have degree-awarding powers in the UK are known as "recognized bodies" of which there are over 150. In February 2013 Regent's College agreed to acquire American InterContinental University London from Career Education Corporation. In March 2013 the UK's Department for Business Innovation and Skills announced that Regent's College had met the criteria to become a university. Validation of research degrees was transferred from the University of Wales to the University of Northampton for students starting from September 2016. This followed the decision of the University of Wales to withdraw from validating other institutions as part of its merger with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. The university's taught degree awarding powers were renewed for a further six-year term in 2018, after which it will be eligible for permanent degree awarding powers.
Administration
Regent's University London is a company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital. It is a registered charity, registered at the Charity Commission under charity number 291583. The company's directors are also the Trustees and members of the charity. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the stewardship of the charity's assets, strategic decision-making and ensuring compliance with charitable objectives. The newly appointed chair is Diana Walford, formerly Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford. Day-to-day operational management is delegated to the Vice-Chancellor and other senior management employees. Regent's University London is a member of the Independent Universities Group.
Finances
In the financial year ended 31 July 2014, Regent's University London had a total income of £53.17 million and total expenditure of £55.659 million. 85% of the total income generated was from tuition fees, and 50% and 45% of total expenditure were for operational costs and staff costs respectively. At year end Regent's University London had total net assets of £21.115 million. Cash surplus for the period was £17.776 million vs. £20.189 million in the previous year. The university offers means-tested bursaries, merit awards and scholarships. In 2014/15 417 scholarships were granted to individuals. Scholarship awards at Regent's University London are based on merit, for which anyone can apply. The accounts ending show of 31 July 2015 that £1.83 million were paid out versus £1.459 million the previous year.
Academics
Regent's University London offers a wide range of courses in business, arts and humanities. Undergraduate fees as of 2013 were about £14,000 per annum. The University has a student-faculty ratio of 14 to 1. The University offers PhD research degrees that are validated by the University of Northampton and a Doctor of Psychology programme validated by the Open University. Regent's University London had an average of 538 full-time equivalent staff during the year ended 31 July 2015, of whom 253 were academic staff and 285 were management and administration staff.
Student body
Regent's University London currently has around 3,600 full-time students. The University has an international student body with students coming from 130 countries overall. Fifteen per cent of Regent's students are from Britain. Another forty per cent come from elsewhere within the European Union. Fifteen per cent of the students come from the US. The Regent's University Student Union organises a range of clubs and societies, including Film Production, Finance and Investment, Model United Nations and Scandinavian. The Union also organises the Students in Free Enterprise initiative.
