Edge Hill University is a campus-based university situated in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England. Founded in 1885, its motto is In knowledge there is opportunity. Edge Hill has been shortlisted three times for the Times Higher Education University of the Year award, most recently in 2011. It has three faculties: Arts and Sciences, Education, and Health and Social Care.
Edge Hill College was opened on 24 January 1885 on Durning Road, Edge Hill, Liverpool, named after the district in which it was sited. It was the first non-denominational teacher training college for women in England. By 1892, Edge Hill was one of only two colleges in England combining teacher training and degree course study.
As student numbers increased, Edge Hill quickly outgrew its surroundings. The institution was handed over to the Lancashire Education Committee, with the foundation stone for the present Ormskirk campus laid on 26 October 1931. Between 1939 and 1946, the college was evacuated to Bingley, in Yorkshire, and the Ormskirk site was requisitioned for use as a military hospital.
Edge Hill became a mixed college, admitting its first male students in October 1959, when it had about 500 students in total. The institution has since expanded rapidly; with further developments at Ormskirk and the absorption of the former Sefton School of Health Studies, in 2011 there are over 25,000 students including over 9,000 studying full-time.
In 2005, Edge Hill was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers by the Privy Council. On 18 May 2006 the institution became Edge Hill University.
A history of the University, A Vision of Learning: Edge Hill University 1885-2010 by Mark Flinn and Fiona Montgomery, was published in 2010 (Third Millennium Publishing Ltd ISBN 978-1-906507-48-0). This follows earlier historical surveys written by Fiona Montgomery.
Edge Hill has its main 160-acre (650,000 m2) campus in Ormskirk in West Lancashire. Liverpool is the nearest city. A number of new buildings have been erected in recent years, the latest being additional Halls of Residence finished in September 2012. A focus on sustainability has resulted in environmental awards such as a commendation in the 2011 Green Gown Awards made by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges. Amenities include restaurants and cafes, a bar and nightclub named The Venue, two theatres, a general shop, a large library and IT suites with 24hr Internet access. The sports complex was included in the Pre-Olympic Games Training Guide and was used by the teams from American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau has their training camp in preparation for London 2012.
The Woodlands campus is based in Chorley, Lancashire and offers continuing professional development programmes and part-time study.
Wirral Education Centre offers HLTA training and foundation degrees in Supporting Teaching and Learning. Woodford Lodge in Cheshire is the base for education-related foundation degrees and HLTA training in Cheshire. Part-time Primary QTS programmes, HLTA training and education-related foundation degrees can also be studied at the Training and Development Centre in Shrewsbury.
It is one of only two universities that have won a Green Flag Award for maintaining an attractive, safe and welcoming campus.
