60th Anniversary
Our history
The University was one of a group of new universities which were founded on the greenfield sites in the period of 1959-1963 to cater for the anticipated expansion of student numbers in British higher education.
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 University initially admitted a small intake of graduate students in 1964 and took its first 450 undergraduates in October 1965.
From a few hundred in 1965 to almost 300,000 strong, our diverse alumni community includes a Nobel Prize winner, recipients of the Turing Award, Richard W. Hamming Medal, and Emmy Awards, world leaders, government officials, Olympians, Paralympians, and household names.
Did you know?
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Pink Floyd, Cream, and The Killers have all played at the Students’ Union.
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In December 2000, Bill Clinton made his final UK speech as US President in Butterworth Hall. For the duration of the visit, the Arts Centre was temporarily deemed to be United States territory.
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In November 1967, the University’s first computer, an Elliott 4130 Computing System, was installed in the Engineering Department.
Events
We’re planning special events to mark the occasion.
Your memories
Help us gather the history of Warwick through your eyes.
Give back
Make an impact on the future of Warwick through supporting research and students.