History of The University
The establishment of The University of Warwick was given approval by the government in 1961 and received its Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1965.
The idea for a university in Coventry was mooted shortly after the conclusion of the Second World War but it was a bold and imaginative partnership of the City and the County which brought the University into being on a 400-acre site jointly granted by the two authorities. Since then, the University has incorporated the former Coventry College of Education and has extended its land holdings by the purchase of adjoining farmland.
The University initially admitted a small intake of graduate students in 1964 and took its first 450 undergraduates in October 1965. By the end of 2023, the student population was over 28,000 of which over 9,000 are postgraduates. Around a third of the student body comes from overseas and around 250 countries are represented on the campus.
1960's
The main campus of the University is situated on land granted by Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council in the early 1960s. The first buildings were completed in 1965 (and now house Biological Sciences); by 1970 the Library, Science and Arts Buildings and Rootes Residences had been built on central campus.
Chancellors
1963 - 1977
Lord Radcliffe
The University's first Chancellor was Lord Radcliffe, who continued in office until his death in April 1977
1977 - 1989
Lord Scarman
He was succeeded by Lord Scarman, who retired from office in 1989
1989 - 2002
Sir Shridath Ramphal
Warwick's third Chancellor was Sir Shridath Ramphal, who presided over the University from 1989 - 2002.
Vice-Chancellors
1963 – 1985, Lord Butterworth
The University's founding Vice-Chancellor was Mr J.B. Butterworth (Lord Butterworth), who guided the University through its formative years and provided much of the vision for the University's future growth and success. His achievement was to establish Warwick firmly on the national stage, to set a basic strategy and culture for the University which still obtains today and to oversee the building of a university on what was a greenfield site.
1985 – 1992, Dr C.L. Brundin
He was succeeded in September 1985 by Dr C.L. Brundin. As Vice-Chancellor from 1985 until 1992, Dr. Brundin presided over a period of expansion and success: student numbers doubled, postgraduates increased by >250% and Warwick established itself firmly in the top tier of UK research universities.
University art collection
Learn about art on campus, from how our collection started, up to how it is currently managed.
What was here before campus?
Find out more about the local area and some of the architectural discoveries that have been made on and around campus.
Leamington Spa - University Town
Discover how The University of Warwick has had an impact on the town of Leamington Spa in this short film made by Leamington History Group.