Skip to content

Our heritage

Teaching has been our business for more than 175 years.

With a tradition of education stretching back to 1847, teaching has been our business for more than 175 years. Prior to achieving university status in 2001 we have had an interesting and mixed history as an educational institute.

Originally founded by Reverend Francis Close, we began life as the Cheltenham Training College at the site that has since become our Francis Close Hall campus (FCH). Since then we have evolved through a number of phases, from becoming the St Paul’s and St Mary’s Colleges in 1921, to becoming the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education in 1990.

Today the university warmly welcomes staff and students of all faiths and none, while still maintaining a close affiliation with our Christian heritage. You’ll find a Faith Space at each of our primary campuses, including the chapel at FCH, all of which operate an ‘open to all’ policy.

We now offer a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees, along with professional programmes and short courses. Search our courses to see what’s on offer.

Our values

Integrity

As individuals and a community we act honestly and openly, upholding fundamental academic and ethical values, promoting the standards of public service, and working towards the good of others.

Nurture

We act with compassion. We are inclusive and treat everyone equally and with respect. We recognise the unique value and worth of every individual, and their contribution to our community. We cultivate an environment where everyone can thrive, feel they belong, and do their best work.

Ambition

We encourage and inspire ourselves and every individual in our community to be the best they can be. We aim for excellence in everything we do. We nurture aspirations, and pursue opportunities to transform and influence society for the better.

Curiosity

We encourage questioning, open debate, and freedom of speech and inquiry. We embrace creativity, enterprise and innovation to bring about positive change. We want our students, our staff, and everyone with whom we engage to be passionate and enthusiastic about creating, gaining, sharing and applying new knowledge, insight and experience, enriching their own understanding and benefiting others.

Sustainability

We are committed to reducing our own environmental footprint and to protecting the wellbeing and viability of our community and the wider world by promoting the knowledge, skills, behaviours and commitments that will safeguard our collective future.

Strategic priorities

Further information on the University of Gloucestershire’s strategic priorities can be found in our Strategic Plan