Tag:  University of Bolton

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

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. 

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

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.