Tag: bihe

Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE), 1982 to 2004

The Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE), which officially existed between 1982 and 2004, is the direct predecessor to the current University of Bolton (now rebranded as the University of Greater Manchester). Its roots extend back to the early 19th century, evolving from a Technical School into a major centre for higher education. 

Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) before the rebuild to the university.

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Overview of Bolton Institute of Higher Education

  • Formation: Established in 1982 through the merger of Bolton Institute of Technology and Bolton College of Education (Technical).
  • Status: A “post-92” institution that developed from a vocational technical college to a degree-awarding Higher Education body.
  • Key Powers: Gained taught-degree awarding powers in 1992 and research degree awarding powers in 1995/1996.
  • Key Locations: Based at the Deane Campus (Deane Tower completed 1970) and Chadwick Campus.
  • Final Evolution: Achieved university status in 2004/2005. 

Detailed Historic Timeline (1824–2024) 

Era 1: Foundations (Mechanics’ Institute to Technical College)

  • 1824-1825: Bolton Mechanics’ Institute is established, marking the educational origins of the institution.
  • 1887: A new Technical School is created with student numbers rising above 1,500.
  • 1926: Bolton Technical School is renamed Bolton Technical College.
  • 1941: A new building is opened for technical and engineering education.
  • 1946: Bolton Training College is approved by the Ministry of Education.
  • 1959: Bolton Training College settles at Chadwick Street. 

Era 2: The Technical and Institute Era (1960s–1981) 

  • 1960s: Development of Bolton College of Education at Chadwick Street.
  • 1964: Bolton Technical College and Bolton Institute of Technology (BIT) are divided into separate organisations. A.J. Jenkinson serves as principal for both in succession.
  • 1970: Deane Tower (Deane Campus) is completed.
  • 1971: A technology block and sports hall (later the Excel Centre) are added. 

Era 3: Formation of BIHE (1982–2004) 

  • 1982: Bolton Institute of Technology and Bolton College of Education merge to form Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE). John McKenzie is the first principal.
  • 1990: The Institute gains its own taught-degree awarding powers.
  • 1991: An £8.3 million extension project begins, including the purchase of the former Eagle Factory.
  • 1992: Reorganisation following the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.
  • 1995/1996: Awarded research degree awarding powers.
  • 1998: Mollie Temple becomes the third principal, leading the drive for university status.
  • 2004: BIHE is granted university status.
  • 2005: The institution is officially named the University of Bolton. 

Era 4: Modern Era (University of Bolton to University of Greater Manchester) 

  • 2009-2010: Rebranding and opening of the new Deane Road campus building.
  • 2018: Bolton College merges with the University of Bolton.
  • 2023: Application made to change the name to the University of Greater Manchester.
  • 2024: The university begins operating as the University of Greater Manchester. 

Key Historical Links & Resources

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Studies, Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE)—now the University of Greater Manchester

The Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Studies at the Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE)—now the University of Greater Manchester—is a two-year, Level 5 vocational qualification designed to provide practical, industry-specific skills. 

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BIHE / University of Greater Manchester Evolution

The institution has undergone several name changes and status upgrades that affected the delivery of the HND: 

  • 1982: BIHE was formed through the merger of Bolton Institute of Technology and Bolton College of Education (Technical).
  • 1992: The Institute was granted the power to award taught degrees.
  • 2004/2005: BIHE achieved full university status, becoming the University of Bolton.
  • 2024: The university rebranded as the University of Greater Manchester. 

HND Computer Studies: Detailed Timeline

The course traditionally follows a two-year full-time or three-year part-time structure. 

Year 1: Foundations (HE4 Level)

The first year focuses on establishing core technical and business knowledge. In many versions of the Bolton curriculum, Year 1 is common across several computing programmes to allow for flexible progression. 

  • Core Modules:
    • Introduction to Programming: Developing fundamental coding logic.
    • Computer Platforms & Systems Architecture: Understanding the hardware and software environments.
    • Information Systems & Databases: The basics of data management.
    • Website Production & Networking Fundamentals: Introduction to web technologies and connectivity.
    • Quantitative Techniques & Business Studies: Integrating mathematical and commercial contexts. 

Year 2: Specialisation (HE5 Level)

The second year shifts toward advanced application, systems analysis, and professional practice. 

  • Advanced Modules:
    • Systems Analysis & Design: Producing system requirements and user interface specifications.
    • Programming Methodology: Moving into more complex application development.
    • Business Information Systems: Exploring how IT supports organizational requirements.
    • Database Design: Implementing industry-standard database packages.
  • Final Year Project: A major 20-credit core project where students investigate a specific field and apply their cumulative skills to a real-world scenario. 

Progression and Modern Standards

  • Academic Standing: Completion of the HND is equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree (Level 5).
  • Degree Top-Up: Successful HND graduates can typically proceed directly into the final year (Level 6) of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science or BSc (Hons) Computing at Bolton.
  • Modern HTQs: Current versions of the course, such as the HND Computing for England (HTQ), now integrate modern fields like Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and VR technologies.
1988 to 1990 : University of Greater Manchester (previously Bolton Institute of Higher Education – BIHE)
Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Studies, Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE)—now the University of Greater Manchester

University of Greater Manchester Bolton formerly Bolton Institute BIHE LinkedIn

University of Greater Manchester Bolton formerly Bolton Institute BIHE LinkedIn

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University of Greater Manchester formerly the University of Bolton from BIHE – Timeline

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. 
Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) before the rebuild to the university building below.

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.
University of Bolton
University of Greater Manchester 2024 (formerly the University of Bolton, from BIHE)

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

mark whitfield mark_whitfield_bihe_university_of_bolton

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.

1988 to 1990 : University of Bolton (previously Bolton Institute of Higher Education – BIHE) – now University of Greater Manchester since 2024

1988 to 1990 : University of Bolton (previously Bolton Institute of Higher Education – BIHE) – now University of Greater Manchester since 2024

Bolton Institute of Higher Education, BIHE in 1988

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Attended BIHE 1988 – 1990, Bolton Institute of Higher Education (University of Bolton – 2004)

BIHE, Bolton Institute of Higher Education (University of Bolton – 2004)

(University status attained in April 2004)

Website:    http://www.bolton.ac.uk

Year:         1988 – 1990

Course:     BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computer Studies

Awarded:   DISTINCTION  (overall first over the 2 years)

Operating SystemLanguages / Other

VAX / VMS OPERATING SYSTEM

PASCAL, DBASE3, MS-DOS, SQL, COBOL74, ORACLE, FMS

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
bihesideaspectview
The old Bolton Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) building

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. The tables were designed in accordance with Third Normal form (TNF) design methodology in order to cancel out repeating student data. The resulting application catered for both snapshot and historical reports. System analysis work was carried out using SSADM (Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology).

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