Ravensbourne becomes 'Ravensbourne University London' after being awarded university status

Ravensbourne has been awarded university status by the Privy Council and from now on will be called 'Ravensbourne University London'.

Previously located on Bromley Common and then Chislehurst, Ravensbourne moved to the new purpose-built campus on the Greenwich Peninsula in September 2010.

The institution has offered degree level courses for many years which have been validated by University of Arts London. In August of last year Ravensbourne gained Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP) and now has the power to award its own degrees.

Awarded a 'Silver' in the government’s Teaching and Excellence Framework in 2017, Ravensbourne was commended for its commitment to widening participation and recruiting students from a diverse range of backgrounds, high levels of practice-based approaches to learning such as industry projects, and providing excellent digital resources. It is also ranked in the UK’s top 10 institutions for art and design*.

Director, Professor Linda Drew said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the honour of university status by the Privy Council and are very proud to now be Ravensbourne University London, a specialist creative institution designed for industry.

“The awarding of university status acknowledges Ravensbourne’s academic integrity as a higher education institution with rigorous standards and academic governance. It’s a further endorsement of the quality (and breadth) of learning offered here.

“This is the next step in Ravensbourne’s journey. We’ll be driving forward our new academic plan, the Mindsets and Skillsets Manifesto, a promise to nurture and inspire people who are valuable to and valued by the world beyond university.”

Jonathan Drori CBE, Chairman of the Board of Governors said: “This is great news and a just reward for the drive and ambition of the whole institution.

“In a landscape of hectic change, Ravensbourne is well positioned for the future. We already have tight relationships with industry and our new university status will help us to become even more intimate with the creative sector that is so important to London and the wider economy.”

Ravensbourne boasts impressive alumni including fashion designers Stella McCartney and Bruce Oldfield, Kevin Carrigan (senior vice president and creative director, Ralph Lauren), literary scholar Robert Hewison, handbag designer Emma Hill, sculptor Alison Wilding and co-designer of the Olympic 2012 torch Jay Osgerby.

*from QS World University Rankings 2018