Our History
Southampton Solent University became a university in July 2005 and adopted its current name on 15 August.
The University's vocational and professional strength is rooted deep within its history and the legacy from the art, technology and nautical studies colleges it evolved from.
Although incorporated as an independent higher education institution as recently as 1989, the University's origins can be traced back to a private School of Art founded in 1856 which eventually became Southampton College of Art. Mergers with the Southampton College of Technology and, later, the College of Nautical Studies at Warsash saw the establishment of Southampton Institute in 1984.
These beginnings can be seen in the University today, within the subject areas of art and design, technology and maritime and throughout the University in its emphasis on preparing students for modern professional practice.
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Year
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Event
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1855
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The founding of a private School of Art based in the Victoria Rooms in Portland Terrace. The school moved to various premises around the City over the next 80+ years
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1932
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A public School of Navigation was established as part of Southampton University College (later the University of Southampton)
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1941
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The School of Art evacuated to Winchester
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1945
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The School of Art returned to the City to a prolonged period of temporary accommodation at the Deanery School in Marsh Lane.
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1946
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The School of Navigation moved to Warsash
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1964
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The first stage of the East Park Terrace campus was built as the Southampton College of Technology and incorporated the Technical College. This building was renamed the R J Mitchell building in 1992
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1969
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The Technical College (now the Southampton City College) separated from the College of Technology.
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1971
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The School of Navigation transferred to the local Education Authority
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1973
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A new art and design building was opened for use on East Park Terrace next to the College of Technology, the new premises for the School of Art, known as the College of Art. The building was renamed the John Everett Millais building in 1996.
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1978
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The two Colleges (Art and Technology) merged to form the Southampton College of Higher Education.
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1984
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The School of Navigation at Warsash became part of the College of Higher Education and together they were renamed the Southampton Institute of Higher Education.
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1989
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Southampton Institute was established as an independent Higher Education Corporation.
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1993
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Opening of the Kimber Hall of Residence in St Mary's Place with 274 rooms and in 1996 the David Moxon Annex was added to provide an additional 117 rooms
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1994
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Opening of the Hamwic Hall of Residence in Cook Street with 228 single rooms
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1994
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Opening of the new Mountbatten Library on East Park Terrace
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1994
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Opening of the Sir James Matthews Building on Above Bar as teaching and conference facilities
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1994
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Opening of the Emily Davis Hall of Residence in Western Esplanade with 192 single and 48 twin rooms
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1994
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Opening of Chantry Hall of Residence in Marsh Lane with 208 rooms
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1995
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Opening of the Lucia Foster Welch Hall of Residence in Royal Crescent Road with 805 single rooms
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1996
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Opening of the Deanery Hall of Residence in Marsh Lane with 422 single rooms
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1998
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The Opening, by HRH The Princess Royal, of the Michael Andrews Building on East Park Terrace as a new Reception, IT and administrative centre.
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2005
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Southampton Institute became Southampton Solent University.
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2006
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Installation of the University's first Chancellor, Sir Alan West GCB DSC
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