Edge Hill University

{{Infobox University Advantage in knowledge
 * name           = Edge Hill University
 * image_name     = Edge Hill University logo.png
 * image_size     = 140px
 * motto          = In Scientia Opportunitas
 * established    = 1885
 * type           = Public

Pro-Vice chancellor = Mr Steve Igoe
}}
 * vice_chancellor = Dr John Cater
 * students       = 15,645
 * undergrad      = 10,860
 * postgrad       = 4,785
 * city           = Ormskirk, Lancashire
 * country        = England
 * affiliations   = Universities UK
 * website        = http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/

Edge Hill University is situated in Ormskirk in Lancashire, England. It has three faculties, Education, Health (based at Aintree, Liverpool) and Arts and Sciences.

In November 2006, Edge Hill University won the Times Higher Award for 'Outstanding Student Financial Support Package'. And in late 2007 it was confirmed that Edge Hill University had made the shortlist for 'University of the Year' in the Times Higher Education Awards 2007. Dr John Cater, Vice Chancellor at Edge Hill University said,” It is a real feather in our cap to be selected for such a coveted award. It would be a real accolade for the region to be home to the University of the Year.’

History
Edge Hill College was opened on 24 January 1885 on Durning Road, Edge Hill, Liverpool, named after the district in which it was sited. It was the first non-denominational teacher training college for women in England. By 1892, Edge Hill was one of only two colleges in England combining teacher training and degree course study.

As student numbers increased, Edge Hill quickly outgrew its surroundings. The institution was handed over to the Lancashire Education Committee, with the foundation stone for the present Ormskirk campus laid on 26 October 1931. Between 1939 and 1946, the college was evacuated to Bingley, in Yorkshire, and the Ormskirk site was requisitioned for use as a military hospital.

Edge Hill became a mixed college, admitting its first male students in October 1959, when it had about 500 students in total. The institution has since expanded rapidly; with further developments at Ormskirk and the absorption of the former Sefton School of Health Studies, it has over 14,000 students in 2006.

In 2005, Edge Hill was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers by the Privy Council. On 18 May 2006 the institution became Edge Hill University.

Courses
15,000 students are currently studying at Edge Hill University and applications have risen 58% in the last two years. Edge Hill scored strongly in the 2005 and 2006 National Student Surveys and has been commended for teaching and learning in all recent QAA reviews.

Edge Hill University's undergraduate courses include Foundation degrees, BA/BSc degrees, Health pre-registration qualifications and Teacher training degrees.

Postgraduate provision includes PGCEs, Graduate Diplomas, MA/MSc higher degrees and MPhil/PhD research degrees.

There is also an extensive programme of professional development courses, including HLTA training, pathways to Early Years Professional Status, Children's Workforce programmes, CPD for people working in health, social care and teaching and subject specialist training for teaching assistants.

Campus
Ormskirk Campus

Edge Hill has its main 75 acre campus in the outskirts of Ormskirk. The campus combines original buildings from the 1930s with landscaped grounds and state-of-the-art facilities. Recent developments include a Sports Therapy clinic, £5m Centre for Performing Arts and £9m Faculty of Education. On-campus amenities include restaurants and cafes, a bar and nightclub, two theatres, general shop, halls of residence and a large library with Internet access.

The University has a policy of offering free parking to all staff and students. However, parking space is insufficient to meet demand at busy periods, especially the start of the Autumn Term.

Other Sites


 * The Aintree campus is based in the grounds of University Hospital Aintree. This is the base for many of the Faculty of Health's courses and allows students to see at first-hand how a busy hospital runs.  Gateway House in Manchester also provides teaching and learning facilities to students on selected programmes offered by the Faculty of Health.

The Woodlands campus is based in Chorley, Lancashire and offers continuing professional development programmes and part-time study.

Wirral Education Centre offers HLTA training and foundation degrees in Supporting Teaching and Learning. Woodford Lodge in Cheshire is the base for education-related foundation degrees and HLTA training in Cheshire. HLTA training and education-related foundation degrees can also be studied at the Training and Development Centre in Shrewsbury.

A part-time Information Systems degree is delivered at Silkhouse Court in Liverpool city centre.

Edge Hill University also has a network of partner colleges teaching and delivering some of its Foundation degrees. Partners include: Alder Grange High School, Blackburne House, Holy Cross College, Hugh Baird College, Knowsley Community College, Lancashire Police Headquarters, Liverpool Community College, Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute, North Trafford College, Respiratory Education UK, Riverside College Halton, Southport College, Wirral Metropolitan College.

Widening participation
Edge Hill has a strong reputation for recruiting students from under-represented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds. The University is the lead institution for Aimhigher Northwest, Action on Access and the Greater Merseyside and West Lancashire Lifelong Learning Network. It is also a member of the Aimhigher partnerships for Lancashire and for Greater Merseyside.

Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning
In 2005, Edge Hill was awarded the status of Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to develop a supported online and blended learning initiative, SOLSTICE.

As one of the 74 national Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, SOLSTICE aims to enhance the student experience via the adoption of flexible online learning approaches and innovations in learning technologies.

Notable alumni

 * Kaleigh Grainger (World champion of unicycling in 2000)
 * Jonathan Pryce (Actor)
 * Freda Lightfoot (Author)
 * Stuart Maconie (Author, BBC DJ & TV Presenter)
 * Steve Sinnott (General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers [])
 * Tim Webster (Media personality)