The University and its Estate

The University was established as the University College of Hull in 1928 following an endowment from T R Ferens.  At first, student numbers were modest but, after the Second World War, the University College grew quickly, so that by the early 1950's there were around 900 students. The Charter was granted in 1954, and over the next 25 years the University experiences a period of sustained growth.  Numbers grew steadily to around 5,900 FTE students in 1981, and the size of the estate grew proportionately.

After 1981, however, following the programme of cuts in the funding of HE, student numbers at Hull fell to around 4,900 FTE.  Through the 1980's, the University gradually recovered its student numbers until further large-scale expansion resumed again in 1987.  Between then and 1994, student numbers grew to almost 9,000 FTE, representing a growth of 75% over the period, whilst at the same time the gross area of buildings was reduced by disposing of 21 properties, totalling 4,000m², and 8 hectares of land.

The University's total number of students for the academic year 2005/06 was 18,986.  This number is a head count and comprises of undergraduates, postgraduates, exchange students and those students registered on short courses with the Centre for Lifelong Learning, many of the latter being taught off campus.  It excludes referred and retained postgraduate students, those taught overseas and those pursuing validated programmes at partner institutions.

Academic accommodation is provided on two sites - the main campus on Cottingham Road in Hull and the Scarborough campus.  The Scarborough campus was acquired following the merger of the University with the University College in August 2000.

The operational estate comprises some 108.5 hectares and 263 buildings and houses, the areas and ages of which are summarised below.

Size of operational estate

The University owns two areas of agricultural land, which are currently let to a tenant.  They lie in the 'strategic green wedge' between Hull and Cottingham and, as such, only have existing use, rather than development, value.

With the exception of the area of land on which the boathouse stands, which is leased, the University owns the freehold of all it's property in Hull , Cottingham and Scarborough .  The boathouse land is owned by Kingston upon Hull City Council, but maintenance of the building is the University's responsibility.

The Humberside College of Health integrated with the University on April 1996, and, in parallel with a programme of academic reorganisation, physical changes were implemented which resulted in the East Riding Campus being completely vacated by March 2003.

The decision of the University of Lincoln to relocate many of its activities to Lincoln resulted in its Cottingham Road campus becoming available which was acquired by the University some four years ago.

Inoverall terms, the University enjoys a relatively good estate which, generally speaking, provides satisfactory and, in some cases, good facilities for its high quality teaching, research and knowledge transfer activities.  buildings are in reasonable condition, or better, and the cost of running the estate is lower than average for the sector as a whole.  It is nevertheless acknowledged that there is scope for improvement on a number of fronts.