In 1959, Westminster College moved into a set of purpose-built facilities on
Harcourt Hill,
Oxford, with buildings designed by
Seely & Paget which were noted for their fusion of Oxford
quads with a "
New England" style of architecture, evident particularly in the large and distinctive chapel. Following the move, the college's qualifications were validated by the
University of Oxford through its Institute of Education and, later, its Department of Education. The qualifications included a
Certificate in Education, the
Bachelor of Education degree, a postgraduate certificate in education, and some supplementary certificates. Oxford University ended this arrangement in 1981. The college's qualifications were then validated by the
Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) until 1992, when the CNAA ceased to exist. The college then entered into a new arrangement with Oxford University from 1993. Oxford University validated a number of qualifications at the college from this date, including degrees in education and theology. Westminster College was an "approved society" of the University of Oxford. Those who read for its degrees were entitled to become members of
Oxford University Student Union and life members of the
Oxford Union, and to attend all lectures at the university. Students received notification of their degree results from the university, not the college, and all examination papers and dissertations were marked by the university. Degree certificates were those of the University of Oxford
in toto, and included the
coats of arms of both Westminster College and the University of Oxford. Graduation ceremonies were presided over by the vice-chancellor in the
Sheldonian Theatre according to the usual form, with slight modifications to allow for the fact that students had not matriculated. (To matriculate is to go through the matriculation ceremony which makes one a member of the university, so students at Westminster College did not have this status in Oxford). Thus, they are nonetheless Oxford graduates, though not Oxford BAs. In 2000, financial pressures prompted the Methodist Church to cease operating Westminster College, although its students were permitted to continue studying for their degrees through the University of Oxford. An agreement was reached to
lease the Harcourt Hill site to
Oxford Brookes University and the college buildings became the Westminster Institute of Education, a school of Oxford Brookes University, thus continuing the use of the Westminster name. In addition to housing the Westminster Institute of Education, other subjects such as theology, philosophy, and
media and communication are also taught at what is now Oxford Brookes University's Harcourt Hill campus. Courses begun before 2000 continued to be validated by Oxford University, including classes taken by international students, during the transition period until students who had begun at Westminster College, rather than Brookes, had graduated. Westminster Institute was eventually absorbed into Oxford Brookes University. == Staff ==