Annual Report July 2003 - August 2004

Low vision version of page

Our teaching and learning

The Higher Education environment is rapidly changing for staff and students alike. The University of Bradford will rise to this challenge. We have set out our position on fees for 2006 entry; the University will charge £3,000p.a. for full-time undergraduate programmes. Our consolidated School structure ensures that we continue to provide courses that are relevant to the needs of our learning community, but also attract the best staff.

The Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching went to Dr Anne White, Director of Postgraduate Courses in Media and Cultural Studies in July 2003 and to Dr Darwin Liang, Lecturer in Engineering in July 2004. The award is in recognition of staff commitment to the student learning experience.

In 2004 the Bradford School of Management celebrated its 40th anniversary, proud of its achievement and the contribution its graduates have made to the UK and global economy. The Department of Peace Studies won a government contract to provide British soldiers with training in areas such as conflict resolution, peacekeeping in complex political emergencies, and European security.

The University has continued to receive recognition of the high standard we set ourselves. In 2004, Institutional Audit conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAAHE) concluded that ‘broad confidence’ (highest) can be placed in the quality of academic programmes and in the standards of its awards. The University was also ranked seventh out of 99 in the country and number one in the North of England for graduate employment, by the Times Good University Guide.

We continue to be at the leading edge of widening participation to Higher Education with one of the most socially inclusive student populations in the United Kingdom. We were ranked third in the UK in the Times Higher Education Supplement’s ‘Working Class Hero’ tables this year for attracting students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

The University launched a number of new degree programmes for 2005 entry; these include Psychology, Media Studies, and Law. This provision will significantly contribute to our exciting growth targets for the next five years.