The present University of Huddersfield can trace its history back through several predecessor institutions.
An early false start (1825) In 1825 there was an attempt to set up a Scientific and Mechanics Institution in the town. Supported by a group of donors, its patron was leading Whig and large local landowner
Sir John Ramsden. Its aims were to instruct local mechanics and tradesmen in scientific principles relating to their work, through lectures and a circulation library, which by 1827 contained over 700 volumes. The financial crisis of 1825–1826 led to the failure of the institution’s bankers, and it faltered and later became part of the Huddersfield Philosophical Society, an organisation with which its rules now more closely aligned. Some 19th-century students earned qualifications as external students of the
University of London.
Young Men's Mental Improvement Society (1841–1843) The history of the university is usually traced to 1841. It was in that year that five young men who were employed by local industrialist Frederic Schwann, who had been born in Frankfurt, approached their employer for support in establishing a new subscription library and some elementary educational classes, ‘to supply in some cases the deficiency of early instruction, and to procure for others the means of further improvement’. They first met in the Temperance Hotel, Cross Church Street,
Huddersfield in May 1841. Classes began for the first 40 or so pupils in the room of the British School at Outcote Bank, and were taught by experienced staff from the local Collegiate Schools and businessmen like Schwann. A subscription library was founded, and classes were delivered in Reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, design and French.
Huddersfield Mechanics' Institution (1844–1883) The increase in student numbers prompted a move to Nelson's Buildings in New Street, and the renaming of the institution to more closely reflect its remit. The first Secretary, Robert Neil, was appointed in 1844, and acted not just as a Secretary but as a teacher-supervisor, influencing the formative development of the organisation. In March 1844 he organised a Soiree (tea party) for 700 at the town's Philosophical Hall, and in May a Rural Gala for 500 at Fixby Pastures. Negotiations with the local railway company led to reduced fares into York for 300 membership to enjoy the cultural opportunities of the city. In 1846, Neil was succeeded by George Searle Phillips, who was described by historian John O'Connell as 'philosopher, propagandist and missionary' during its first year of operation. Based on the Scottish system of encouraging working people to make small, regular saving deposits, it was a forerunner of the
Post Office Savings Bank, founded in 1861. In 1854, after Phillips resignation, Frank Curzon took over as Secretary and remained in post until 1883. During his tenure a prize giving and distribution ceremony was introduced to reward attendance and good conduct. He not only oversaw a recruitment drive, but also the move to the first purpose built home of the institution, on Northumberland Street. The institution took possession in 1861, as student numbers passed 800 annually. The continued prosperity of the institution during the 1860s has been attributed to two main developments – the demand for more technical and scientific education, and the introduction of an examination system by the newly formed national
Department of Science and Art. The institution managed an examinations system and gave grants to science schools (often based in Mechanics' Institutions) on a 'payment by results' basis. In 1857 the Society of Arts held its first examinations outside London at Huddersfield.
Technical School and Mechanics' Institute (1883–1896) A merger took place with the town’s Female Educational Institute in 1883, and the institution become the Technical School and
Mechanics' Institute. A new building was constructed on what it today the ring road called Queensgate that cost £20,000, and was funded by the subscriptions of members and philanthropic supporters. Called the Ramsden Building, after the Ramsden family who owned the land upon which the building stood, the building is still in use by the Health and Human Sciences Department of the university today. Before the building opened to students in 1884, it was used for a five-month Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition. These kinds of exhibitions, inspired by the Great Exhibition, showcased the latest in textile technology alongside copies of great masters paintings or more contemporary works.
Technical College and College of Technology (1896–1970) In 1896, the Technical School and Mechanics' Institute became the Technical College, which changed its name in 1958 to become the College of Technology.
World War I was a time of growth for the College. A Coal Tar Chemistry Department was created, funded by the government and by donations which were also used to provide research scholarships in Chemistry. More than 100 chemists worked at the College as research staff as products were created for British Dyes Ltd. Composer
Harold Truscott was there at much the same time. One notable visitor to the college in 1964 was
Dusty Springfield, who appeared at 'Sound Sixty-Four', an event organised by the
Huddersfield Tech students as part of Rag Week. Teacher training remained on the Holly Bank site until the land was sold by the university in 2001. The campus precinct was redeveloped by the firm Wilson and Womersley. Awarding
J. L. Womersley a Fellowship for the design, the Deputy Rector commented on the courage and vision of the plan, with the Central Services building in particular being a monument to that vision. The large brown Central Services Building, now known as the Schwann Building, a prominent feature not just of the campus but also the town of
Huddersfield itself, was completed in January 1977. The brown colour was chosen so it would better fit in with the local sandstone. The building was officially opened by
the Duchess of Kent.
University of Huddersfield (since 1992) The Polytechnic became the University of Huddersfield in 1992. Professor Ken Durrands was Vice-Chancellor at the time the institution achieved university status. He was later credited with having "transformed" it into "a thriving university". However, in 1994 he was forced to leave his post before the end of his contract, following a row over the removal of independently-elected representatives from the university's governing body. delivers the Harold Wilson memorial lecture at the University of Huddersfield in 2018. The next Vice-Chancellor was John Tarrant, appointed in October 1995. He served in the role until 2006, and was later Secretary General of the
Association of Commonwealth Universities until his retirement in 2010. took over the job in January 2007. At the time, he was the youngest Vice-Chancellor in the UK. His strategy for the university during this time has been to lead an "inspiring, innovative University of international renown". An engineer by background, Professor Cryan became the President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in 2023. The following year, the building was officially opened by
the Duke of Kent. The university is closely associated with annual events, including the
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and
Huddersfield Literature Festival, both of which are partly hosted at university venues. In 2013, the University of Huddersfield was named
University of the Year at the
Times Higher Education Awards. Accepting the award, Professor Cryan said: "It is a tribute to all the staff who have worked so hard to get us where we are today. We are now well established as one of the country’s innovative universities – and the best is yet to come." The university attracts students from more than 130 countries. With an annual turnover of approximately £150 million each year, it estimates it is worth £300 million annually to the local economy. In 2021, the university's chancellor
George W. Buckley, lent his name to a new Leadership Centre at the university, aimed at supporting future managers and leaders. == Campuses ==