The University of Roehampton, London, is a public university located on a parkland campus in southwest London. It traces its history back to the 19th century through four founding colleges: Digby Stuart College, Froebel College, Southlands College, and Whitelands College, which still form the basis of its collegiate system and student accommodation. Roehampton gained independent university status in 2004 and was previously part of the University of Surrey.
Key aspects of Roehampton University include:
Parkland Campus: Situated on a 54-acre green campus in Roehampton, near Richmond Park, offering a blend of traditional and modern buildings.
Collegiate System: Students become members of one of the four historic colleges, fostering smaller communities within the larger university.
Diverse Academic Schools: The university encompasses several academic schools and faculties, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across areas like arts, humanities, business, law, education, life and health sciences, psychology, and more recently, sustainable engineering and technology.
Strong History in Education: With roots in teacher training colleges, Roehampton has a long-standing reputation in education.
Research-Informed Teaching: The university is active in research across various themes, aiming to inform policy and improve lives.
International Community: Roehampton welcomes a diverse student body from over 140 countries.
Focus on Student Support: The university emphasizes providing a supportive environment for students' academic, personal, and career development.
Location in London: While offering a campus feel, Roehampton benefits from its proximity to central London (around 30 minutes away), providing access to the city's cultural and professional opportunities.
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The University of Roehampton, London, is a public university located on a parkland campus in southwest London. It traces its history back to the 19th century through four founding colleges: Digby Stuart College, Froebel College, Southlands College, and Whitelands College, which still form the basis of its collegiate system and student accommodation. Roehampton gained independent university status in 2004 and was previously part of the University of Surrey.
Key aspects of Roehampton University include:
Parkland Campus: Situated on a 54-acre green campus in Roehampton, near Richmond Park, offering a blend of traditional and modern buildings.
Collegiate System: Students become members of one of the four historic colleges, fostering smaller communities within the larger university.
Diverse Academic Schools: The university encompasses several academic schools and faculties, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across areas like arts, humanities, business, law, education, life and health sciences, psychology, and more recently, sustainable engineering and technology.
Strong History in Education: With roots in teacher training colleges, Roehampton has a long-standing reputation in education.
Research-Informed Teaching: The university is active in research across various themes, aiming to inform policy and improve lives.
International Community: Roehampton welcomes a diverse student body from over 140 countries.
Focus on Student Support: The university emphasizes providing a supportive environment for students' academic, personal, and career development.
Location in London: While offering a campus feel, Roehampton benefits from its proximity to central London (around 30 minutes away), providing access to the city's cultural and professional opportunities.
Collegiate Community: Being part of one of the four colleges provides a smaller, close-knit community within the university. Each college has its own history, personality, social events, and even sports teams for the College Cup.
Campus Environment: The parkland campus offers a green and safe environment with woodland walks, a lake, and open spaces, creating a more relaxed atmosphere compared to a purely city-based university.
Accommodation: A significant portion of students, especially in their first year, live in on-campus accommodation within their college. This fosters a strong sense of community and provides convenience with everything within walking distance. Accommodation includes private rooms, shared kitchens, and often all-inclusive fees covering utilities, Wi-Fi, and even laundry for new and returning students from September 2025.
Students' Union: The Roehampton Students' Union is active in representing students, supporting societies, and organizing events, from Freshers' Week to summer celebrations.
Clubs and Societies: There are a diverse range of student-led clubs and societies catering to various interests, including academic groups, cultural societies, sports teams, arts and creative clubs, and more.
Sports and Activities: Roehampton offers a wide range of sporting opportunities, from competitive teams (Sport Roehampton) to social activities (Active Roehampton). Facilities include a gym run by Nuffield Health and various sports pitches. There's also a growing esports society.
Social Scene: Beyond the colleges and Students' Union, there are cafes, bars, and social spaces on campus. Central London's nightlife and cultural attractions are also easily accessible via public transport. The Union Bar on campus hosts regular events like karaoke and club nights.
Events and Traditions: Roehampton has various annual events, including welcome dinners, Re-Freshers' Fair, sports competitions (Varsity), and the summer RoeFest.
Support Services: The university provides comprehensive student support, including academic guidance, careers advice, wellbeing services (mental health, health services), financial support, disability and dyslexia support, and support for international and commuting students. Support is often available 24/7.
Location Benefits: Students get the "best of both worlds" - a campus feel with a strong sense of communitywhile being just a short distance from the opportunities and excitement of London.
Growhampton: A unique award-winning initiative focused on sustainability and bringing nature to the campus community.
Music Scene: An active musical scene with opportunities to participate in various styles and performances.
Roehampton Village and immediate surrounding areas:
Putney:
Barnes:
Kingston upon Thames:
Wimbledon:
Southfields:
Richmond Park: A vast Royal Park, the largest in London, famous for its deer herds, ancient trees, and stunning views. It's directly adjacent to the Roehampton University campus, offering fantastic opportunities for walking, cycling, and wildlife spotting.
Wimbledon Common: Another large green space close to the University, known for its open heathland, woodland, and the Wimbledon Windmill Museum.
Putney: A vibrant riverside town centre with a lively high street, shops, restaurants, pubs, and boat clubs along the River Thames. It's easily accessible by bus from the University.
Barnes: A charming village with a picturesque pond, independent shops, antique stores, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Accessible by bus.
Kew Gardens: The Royal Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site with diverse plant collections and beautiful landscapes. Easily reachable by bus.
Richmond: A historic town with Richmond Park, Richmond Hill offering panoramic views of the Thames, Richmond Theatre, and a bustling town centre. Accessible by bus.
Kingston upon Thames: A larger town centre with extensive shopping facilities, a historic marketplace, and riverside walks. Accessible by bus.
Wimbledon: Famous for the Wimbledon Championships (tennis), but also offering a pleasant town centre with shops, theatres, and parks. Accessible by bus.
Roehampton Village: The immediate local area around the University has some local shops and amenities.
Central London's iconic landmarks and attractions are also easily accessible via train or Tube from nearby stations like Putney, Barnes, or Southfields.
London Underground (Tube): While not directly adjacent, the District Line (Putney Bridge, East Putney stations) and the Northern Line (Southfields station) are accessible by bus from the Roehampton University campuses. These lines provide connections to central London and other parts of the city.
Overground: The South Western Railway operates services from stations like Barnes, Putney, and Barnes Bridge, which are a short bus ride from the University. These offer connections to Waterloo and other destinations.
Buses: A very extensive bus network serves the Roehampton area. Several routes directly serve the University campuses, connecting them to nearby train and Tube stations, as well as surrounding residential areas and town centres like Putney, Barnes, and Kingston.
Tramlink: Operates in South London but doesn't directly serve the Roehampton area.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR): Serves East London and Docklands, requiring connections via the Tube or Overground.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing Services: Widely available.
Cycling: While southwest London has some green spaces, cycling infrastructure directly to the University might be limited in some areas. However, many students cycle locally.
Walking: The Roehampton campus is spread across a parkland setting, making walking between buildings pleasant. Walking to nearby residential areas is also feasible for some.