The Polytechnic, Wolverhampton, is a large institution in the West Midlands and provides Higher Education for thousands of students from the United Kingdom and beyond. There are only thirty polytechnics altogether in England and Wales and Wolverhampton was one of the first to be designated. The Polytechnic was originally created in 1969 by uniting the College of Art with the College of Technology. In September 1977 the Dudley College of Education, the Wolverhampton Teachers’ College for Day Students and the Wolverhampton Technical Teachers’ College merged to form a Faculty of Education within the Polytechnic.
The Polytechnic thus is made up of six faculties: Art and Design, Engineering, Humanities, Science, Social Science and Education. Five of these faculties are located on the main campus in the centre of Wolverhampton; the sixth, the faculty of Education, is located at Dudley.
A wide range of degree, postgraduate, diploma and professional courses are offered at all six faculties. All faculties undertake research and all are served by the Polytechnical library. Nearly 4,000 students are on courses for three or four years, ranging from engineering and computer studies to social work courses. These courses are full-time, part-time and sandwich.
The teaching on the courses is partly by lectures but much of time is spent in smaller group work, in seminars and tutorials.
In addition to the higher degrees of MPhil (Master of Philosophy), PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and MSc(Master of Science) the courses lead to a wide range of first degrees and diplomas.
A high proportion of students live away from home; over 1,300 being accommodated in Polytechnic residential units. The main campus has hostel places for 600 students.
The Polytechnic Students’ Union represents students on various Polytechnic Committees. It operates a number of national services for local students (such as accommodation, medical, financial, legal and other problems).The Students’ Union organizes and supports a wide range of social, recreational and cultural activities. A large number of clubs and societies are organized by it, which arrange entertainment. There are film, music, drama, poetry, blues and folk societies; rugby, judo, crosscountry running, badminton and horse riding clubs. In addition, there are academic, political and other societies at the Polytechnic.