The academic heritage of the University of Salford is founded in the great industrial revolution which originated in the North of England and transformed the world during the Nineteenth Century. Salford contributed to this extraordinary transformation through its internationally renowned engineering and engineers, science and scientists, technologies and technologists.
The university was founded in 1896 as the Royal Technical Institute, Salford following a merger of the Salford Working Men's College founded in 1858 and Pendleton Mechanics Institute founded in 1850. The Institute received royal letters, allowing the word 'Royal' to be appended, with the then Duke and Duchess of York (later to become King George V and Queen Mary) officiating at the opening ceremony.
The Statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, situated on the lawn in front of the Art Gallery, commemorate their royal visit to Salford in 1851. Joule House in Acton Square was the home of James Prescott Joule who gave his name to the electrical unit of work.
In 1921, the Institute was renamed the Royal Technical College, Salford, but in 1958 the institution split into two separate organisations. The break away college became the Peel Park Technical College but changed its name first to Salford Technical Institute in 1961, then to Salford College of Technology in 1970, and finally to University College Salford in 1992.
The Royal College of Advanced Technology, went on to become the University of Salford on 10 February 1967 when Her Majesty The Queen handed over the Royal Charter. In 1996, the break-away University College Salford (est.1958) and the University of Salford (est.1967) were formally merged into the single institution that makes the university what it is today.
The first Vice-Chancellor was Clifford Whitworth, after whom the university's main library is named. The first chancellor was HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who remained as the university's chancellor until 1991. Prince Philip took a "keen interest" in the university whilst in office which has continued since then, with him making a visit in 2008 to see the university's award winning acoustics laboratories.
Today, the University has established a successful global presence with a 2006/7 turnover of some £156m, four faculties, 12 schools, nearly 21,000 students, and 2,500 staff - serving the needs of industry and commerce.
Currently undergoing a transformational change affecting every area of university life, Salford is positioning itself at the leading edge of higher education institutions in this country.