The University of Surrey was preceded by the Battersea Polytechnic Institute which was founded in 1891 and admitted its first students in 1894. Its aims were to provide greater access to further and higher education for some of the “poorer inhabitants” of London.
In 1901, evening classes consisted of some of the following; Mechanical Engineering and Building, Electrical Engineering, Chemical and other Trades, Physics and Natural Science, Maths, Languages, and Commercial subjects, Music. Special classes for Women in Domestic Economy subjects. Day Classes in Art, Science, Women’s subjects and Gymnastics. Classes in preparation for University and Professional Examinations. Also. Science day School for Boys and Girls, Commercial School for Girls, Training School for Domestic Economy and Training for Teachers.
The Institute focused on science and technology subjects, and from about 1920 taught some classes for University of London students.
The Institute awarded University of London external degrees.
Faculties:
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Facilities:
- Mechanical Testing Facility
- Microstructural Studies Unit
- Surface Analysis Laboratory
- Ion Beam Centre
- Centre for Vision Speech Signal Processing
- Music studios and suites
- Business Insights Lab
- Surrey Clinical Research Centre