University Centre Shrewsbury prepares for start of new academic year

News from our partners, University Centre Shrewsbury

University Centre Shrewsbury’s (UCS) newest undergraduates will be welcomed to the town next month.

Preparations are underway for the arrival of the institution’s second intake of undergraduates on Sunday September 25, 2016, including final touches being made to the Welcome Week programme. The week’s activities include a Civic Reception to introduce students to community members and vice-versa.

At this stage, a total of just over 80 new undergraduate students have successfully applied and are due to embark on courses at UCS in the 2016/17 academic year; more than double the number enrolled at the same time last year. Undergraduate applications continue to be received through the Clearing process up until the start of term and therefore the final figure could be higher than this.

In addition to these undergraduate places, postgraduate applications are being made to UCS through the usual admissions process throughout the year.

Combining both undergraduate and postgraduate students already studying at UCS, and a third cohort of postgraduates starting courses later this year and early next year, it is anticipated, once all the courses have started, that potentially this will bring the institution’s total student community to nearing 200.

Professor Anna Sutton, Provost of UCS said:

“We are looking forward to welcoming our new undergraduates and postgraduates, and welcoming back our current students after the summer break.

“The 2015/16 academic year has been a momentous 12 months with the arrival of our first undergraduates, who received a fantastic reception, and we’re excited about this next step.

“It is a privilege to introduce our new intake to Shrewsbury, their new home, and have this opportunity to develop a University from its very beginnings in such a beautiful town and county.

“Our new students will join our current undergraduates and postgraduates in enjoying an excellent and bespoke student experience. All our students benefit from learning on a personal scale with experienced and highly-qualified academics as well as extra-curricular options to suit a range of interests and develop the skills they need for when they graduate.”

Prof Sutton said that activities extended beyond the preparations for the start of the academic year to ongoing work to look at ways UCS can contribute to the wider community.

“Those joining us in 2016 and 2017 will be supported, as our current students have and continue to be, in joining sports and arts clubs, working and volunteering at organisations in the town, representing UCS at civic events, and running events for charity.

“We continue to be busy in developing links with organisations and groups across the county and beyond, seeing where our facilities and research can be of benefit – from Energize – the county sports partnership, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Shropshire Youth Support Trust and Shropshire Disability Network to Shrewsbury Business Improvement District, Team Shrewsbury and the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.

“Also, after launching a varied series of public events which has proved popular, we’re planning next year’s programme, again open to everyone, and free wherever possible.”

Prof Sutton added a ‘thank you’ to everyone who has played a part in the creation and development of UCS.

“Working with the community, we are establishing an institution of a character and scale fitting to Shrewsbury, with the long term aspiration to grow steadily over the next decade to the point where it can become an independent University.

“We cannot express how much we appreciate the contribution of councillors, businesses, residents and others to creating the best possible institution for Shrewsbury and Shropshire.

“We are grateful to everyone for all their time and input in working with us to make UCS a reality, make our students and staff part of this vibrant community and looking with us at how the county can benefit from the range of educational, social, cultural and economic opportunities available.”

Established by the University of Chester and Shropshire Council, UCS offers a wide choice of courses and facilities across the main learning and research site at Guildhall in Frankwell Quay, the historic Rowley’s House, and the student accommodation at nearby Mardol House.

For further information, go to www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk, call 01743 297185 or email enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk.

For Clearing enquiries please call 0808 1642710 or email clearing@chester.ac.uk.

Notes to editors

The 2015/16 intake of students at UCS was made up of about 40 undergraduates and about 40 postgraduates. The final 2016/17 undergraduate figure will be available in late September and final postgraduate numbers in early 2017.

Rooms at Mardol House in the town centre are currently being offered to both first year and second year undergraduates for the forthcoming academic year, with the building expected to provide for all student accommodation requests. It is not common for postgraduates to apply for places in student accommodation due to factors such as living locally.

For follow up questions and interview requests please contact the University of Chester Corporate Communications Team on 01244 511344.