The institution now known as the University of Greater Manchester (formerly the University of Bolton) has a history spanning over 200 years. Below is the timeline of its evolution from a local mechanics’ institute to a modern university. 

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Origins and Early Development (1824–1963)

• 1824–1825: The Bolton Mechanics’ Institute is founded to provide education for working people.
• 1857: The School of Art is established.
• 1892: The new Bolton Technical School opens to accommodate growing student numbers.
• 1926: The Technical School is expanded and renamed Bolton Technical College.
• 1952: A major new building for the Technical College opens on Manchester Road. 

The “Bolton Institute” Era (1964–2003)

• 1964: The technical college separates to establish the Bolton Institute of Technology (BIT).
• 1970: New facilities on Deane Road are inaugurated by Princess Margaret.
• 1982: A merger with the Bolton College of Education (Technical) creates the Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE).
• 1991–1995: The institute expands its capabilities, gaining the authority to confer both taught and research degrees. 

University Status and Recent History (2004–Present)

• 2004: BIHE achieves university status, becoming the University of Bolton.
• 2005–2010: Significant leadership changes occur, including the appointment of Professor George E. Holmes as Vice-Chancellor and Baroness Morris of Bolton as the first Chancellor.
• 2018: The institution merges with Bolton College.
• 2024: The institution undergoes a rebrand to the University of Greater Manchester.

I attended Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) in the late eighties.

1988 to 1990 : University of Bolton (previously Bolton Institute of Higher Education – BIHE) 
Deane Road, Bolton, Lancashire, UK. BL3 5AB

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Studies –
DISTINCTION – overall first over the 2 years

The HND course I attended at BIHE was a 2-year, full-time course made up of the following modules: 

• Computer Systems Architecture
• Programming Methodology Theory / Practice (final year project)
• Data Processing
• Business Studies
• Quantitative Techniques
• System Analysis
• Business Information Systems Theory / Practice

My final year project consisted of an ORACLE SQL-forms designed GUI interface running under an MS-DOS operating system. The GUI interface provided insert, update, delete and transaction rollback facilities for recording information about students attending courses at BIHE, along with their module assignment and exam result details. The student data was held in an ORACLE SQL database set-up on a PC local to the application.