The history of BNU
The history of BNU
1891: The Institute of Science and Arts opens
The original name was the Institute of Science and Arts and it played an important role in providing classes for those people in High Wycombe and the surrounding area. Classes were funded in part from an unpopular tax in the 19th Century.
After the First World Way, the school started to run courses for ex-servicemen to allow them to get a career by training them in traditional skills like carving and polishing which was needed for the factories in the local area.
One of the first questions I get asked when showing students around our High Wycombe campus is, “what’s the history of the uni?” Well, its over 125 years old. The name has changed a lot over the years as the community around it has developed, but the aim of helping the community has always been the same. You can find a historic timeline in our reception which shows the different names we’ve had throughout our history since establishment in 1891. The work the uni has done over the years shows how much it values its students and local community.
1920’s: We become Wycombe Technical Institute
After the First World War, the school was the first in the country to teach classes in metalwork and woodwork which led to it changing its name officially to the Wycombe Technical Institute with close links to the local crafts.
1963: High Wycombe College of Arts and Technology is founded
After the Second World War, there was a need for more technical skills for those returning from the war, so the school’s facilities were expanded in 1963. One of the main skills being taught was furniture making and chair manufacturing. At the time, 80% of wooden chairs made in Britain were made in High Wycombe. It was then that the college changed its name to High Wycombe College of Arts & Technology.
1975: We merge with a local teaching college
In 1975, the college merged with Newland Park College which was a former teacher training college. The college changed its name to Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education, and it was during this time that Brook Street Halls were built. It had over 300 rooms and was the first accommodation to be built by the establishment.
1999: We receive University status
It wasn’t until 1999 that the college was awarded university status from the government and changed its name again to Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College.
2007 - 2009: We become Buckinghamshire New University
In 2007, the university changed its name again and to this day is known more informally as ‘Bucks’. During this time there were plans to move the whole campus to Hughenden, but they fell through. Instead, Hughenden Halls accommodation was built to accommodate more students and parts of the original campus were closed in 2008. Another campus opened in Uxbridge in 2009 which is where the majority of Nursing courses take place.
Around this time the Gateway building was built which has specialist facilities including a state-of-the-art flight simulator, three professional music studios, two green-screen TV studios and a multipurpose hall. The university has always looked for new ways to support its students, it welcomes new and exciting ideas that can help students succeed, for example Bucks T.V. a platform to showcase students’ work online. It’s the first platform like it.
2020 - Present Day
Throughout the history of Bucks its focus has been on training students. Offering a variety of hands-on courses with links to industry so they can get a job in their chosen area, find out more about our courses at an open day. I’m sure that Bucks will keep on developing to ensure students get the skills they require to get into their desired industry.
As a student myself who has access to resources the university offers to graduating students, I’ve been able to ensure that I’m prepared for job interviews and applications by using MyBucksCareer. The service helps students improve their CV, take mock interviews as well as improve how you look to prospective employers. Even though I’ve now graduated, I’ve found that my lecturers are happy to keep in contact with me to see how I am getting on with my Masters.
As a graduate student, you still have free access to the events the Students' Union puts on so you can come back and reminisce about your university days. Students who have previously studied at the university are able to get discounted access to continue their study here as well as access to the university facilities.