Staffordshire University Library building

Our heritage

Our University is famous for its forward-thinking approach, and has become a figurehead for its vocational and academic teaching, innovative grasp of industry, and student employability.

We are proud of our heritage in the great city of Stoke-on-Trent. Steeped in the history of ceramic manufacture and production, industry in Stoke-on-Trent has been fuelled by Staffordshire University for over 100 years.

Since our beginnings, we have expanded our campuses to include the Centre for Health Innovation in Stafford, and Staffordshire University London, a campus dedicated to our digital courses.

We are committed to strengthening our close ties with employment, culture and industry in Stoke-on-Trent, and beyond.

Our history

1914

Established as the Central School of ​ Science and Technology to support mining and pottery industries​.

1971

Formation of the North Staffordshire Polytechnic – merging existing colleges in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford​

1992

Staffordshire Polytechnic gains University status to become Staffordshire University

cadman-archive

Stoke-on-Trent campus

In 1914, the Cadman building opened as the Central School of Science and Technology to support mining and pottery industries. To further support our connection with local industry, the College of   Ceramics was opened in the Mellor building in 1957. The Cadman and Mellor buildings continue to facilitate our creative and engineering courses to this day.

Since then, the Stoke-on-Trent campus has gone from strength to strength. We've invested over £80m in our campus since 2012, including a dedicated Science Centre, pioneering Games Hub, a sustainable Nursery and Forest School. Our flagship Catalyst building further revolutionised our campus in 2021, creating new flexible teaching and events spaces in a   technology-rich environment.

chi-exterior-400x400

Stafford campus

The Staffordshire College of Technology was established in 1959, before merging with the North Staffordshire Technical College in Stoke-on-Trent to form the North Staffordshire Polytechnic.

In 1995, we developed the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Blackheath Lane, alongside existing engineering and computing departments. 

Since then, computing and engineering courses are taught at Stoke-on-Trent, allowing us to focus on our healthcare provision at Stafford. The Centre for Health Innovation -  a £5.8 million, state-of-the-art centre incorporating sector-leading clinical simulation and immersion suites - opened in 2022, bringing together Stafford's heritage of digital innovation with healthcare science.

The Digital Loft at Staffordshire University London complete with dual monitor machines

London campus

Staffordshire University London opened at Here East, on former Olympic Park in 2019. We launched a unique offer of courses aligned to the fast emerging computer science and games industry​ in a custom built-space. An expansion project began in 2021, developing the space to support learners and provide a richer campus experience.

Our coat of arms

The Staffordshire University coat of arms reflects our distinguished heritage, our successful present and our prosperous future.

Each element of the coat of arms has a specific meaning relating to Staffordshire’s heritage, the University’s history, and our vision and values.

The Staffordshire University coat of arms

Our coat of arms explained

The owl of the Staffordshire University coat of arms

The crest

  • The owl perching on the pillar represents Athena, Goddess of Wisdom.
  • The Stafford knot carved into the pillar is the traditional symbol of our home county: Staffordshire.

 

The helmet of the Staffordshire University coat of arms

Helmet and mantling

  • The colours of red and white are derived from the Stoke-on-Trent Coat of Arms.

 

The shield and supporters of the Staffordshire University coat of arms

The shield

  • The inverted ‘Y’ shape is a symbol of the historic institutions that have formed together to create Staffordshire University
  • The open book represents knowledge, learning and education.
  • The Stafford knot on the shield is the traditional symbol of our home county: Staffordshire.
  • The swallows on either side of the shield represents the knowledge and students that Staffordshire University welcomes from all over the world.
The motto of the Staffordshire University coat of arms

The motto

  • Sapere Aude literally translates as ‘dare to know’, representing our University value of being curious and daring.
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021