The University of Greater Manchester based in Bolton

The University of Greater Manchester (formerly known as the University of Bolton from 2005 to 2024) is a public university based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England.

University of Greater Manchester, from 2024

It is a “post-92” institution that officially rebranded in late 2024 to reflect its regional focus and, according to its vice-chancellor, to overcome employer prejudice against the smaller town name of Bolton.

LinkedIn Group: 

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/51224

The university dates its roots back to 1824 and focuses on applied research, practical skills, and teaching, with a strong regional reputation for student satisfaction. 

🏛️ Comprehensive Insight: University of Greater Manchester 

  • Location: Main campus on Deane Road and Derby Street in Bolton town centre, with a new city-centre partner campus (“UoB Manchester”) opened in 2023.
  • Origins: Founded as Bolton Mechanics’ Institute in 1824–1825.
  • Status: Granted taught degree-awarding powers in 1990/1992 and full university status in 2004/2005.
  • Key Focus: Teaching-intensive with a focus on employability, particularly in Nursing, Engineering, Business, and Creative Arts.
  • Size: Approximately 11,000–12,500 students, including international partnerships (e.g., Ras Al Khaimah, Colombo).
  • Rebrand: The University of Bolton rebranded to the University of Greater Manchester on December 20, 2024. 

📜 Detailed Historic Timeline (1824–2025)

Era 1: Foundations (1824–1900)

  • 1824/1825: Establishment of the Bolton Mechanics’ Institute to provide technical education to the working population.
  • Late 19th Century: The Institute becomes a vital hub for adult education in industrial Bolton. 

Era 2: The Technical Institution (1900–1980)

  • Early 20th Century: The institution becomes known as Bolton Technical College, expanding technical and scientific skills.
  • 1950s–1960s: Expansion of teacher training and higher-level technical qualifications.
  • 1964: A 50-ton steam hammer is used at Thomas Walmsley’s Atlas Forge, which later becomes a heritage exhibit on the university’s Deane Campus. 

Era 3: Formation of Higher Education (1980–2003)

  • 1982: Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) is formed by merging the technical and education colleges.
BIHE – Bolton Institute of Higher Education
  • 1990s: Gained taught degree-awarding powers (1990/1992) and research degree powers (1996).
  • 1998: Mollie Temple becomes principal, leading a successful drive for full university status. 
BIHE, view from front left side

Era 4: The University of Bolton (2004–2024)

  • 2004–2005: Formally inaugurated as the University of Bolton following Privy Council approval.
University of Bolton, 2004 – 2024 – UoB
  • 2012: Opened the £31 million “Bolton One” health and research facility in partnership with local NHS and council.
  • 2019/2020: Responded to “The Cube” fire incident and launched initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2023: Opened a new partner campus in Manchester city centre (“UoB Manchester”) and initiated the name change process. 

Era 5: The University of Greater Manchester (2024–Present) 

  • Dec 20, 2024: Officially rebranded to the University of Greater Manchester.
University of Greater Manchester (front) from Dec 20, 2024
  • 2025: Facing internal investigations regarding governance and financial management, while focusing on expanding health and engineering sectors. 

The University of Greater Manchester based in Bolton

Website Author, Higher National Diploma – HND in Computer Studies in 1990 at BIHE
BIHE, view from left side
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Author: Mark Whitfield

Welcome to my site! After graduating in Computing in 1990, I accepted a position as a programmer at a Runcorn based software house specialising in electronic banking software, namely sp/ARCHITECT-BANK on Tandem Computers (now HPE NonStop). This was before the internet became more prevalent and so the notion of enabling desktop access to company accounts for inter-account transfers and book keeping was still quite a cutting edge idea (and smartphones only ever hinted at in Space 1999). The company was called The Software Partnership (which was taken over by Deluxe Data in 1994). I spent 5 years in Runcorn developing code for SP/ARCHITECT for various banks like TSB, Bank of Scotland, Rabobank and Girofon (Denmark) to name but a few. I then moved onto a software house in Salford Quays for further bank facing projects. After a further 23 years in the IT industry and now a Senior IT Project Manager (both Agile and Waterfall delivery), I thought I would echo out my Career Profile in this corner of the internet for quick and easy access.

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