Regent's University London was established in 1984 as Regent's College. It received taught degree awarding powers in 2012 and became a university in 2013.[4][5] It is one of six private universities in the UK. The university has its campus in Regent's Park, Central London.
In 1984 Rockford College, Illinois (now Rockford University) acquired the former South Villa Estate campus of the University of London's Bedford College in Regent's Park and named the new institution Regent's College. The site was originally leased by Bedford College in 1908, and a new set of buildings designed by the architect Basil Champneys was opened by Queen Mary in 1913. The buildings were modified and added to over the years, especially after bomb damage during the Second World War. Bedford College merged with Royal Holloway College (another college of the University of London) in 1985 and moved to Royal Holloway's campus at Egham in Surrey, vacating the premises in Regent's Park. Regent's College gradually expanded, and the European Business School London moved to the College campus in 1987.[6]
In July 2012 it was announced that Regent's College had been awarded taught degree-awarding powers (TDAP) from 1 September 2012.[7] Institutions that have degree-awarding powers in the UK are known as "recognized bodies" of which there are over 150. In February 2013 Regent's College agreed to acquire American InterContinental University London from Career Education Corporation.[8] In March 2013 the UK's Department for Business Innovation and Skills announced that Regent's College had met the criteria to become a university. Regent's was awarded silver by TEF in the 2021 ranking.[9]
The university's taught degree awarding powers were renewed for a further six-year term in 2018, after which it is eligible for permanent degree awarding powers.[11]
In September 2020, Regent’s University London was acquired by Galileo Global Education, joining Galileo’s network of 80 campuses and 42 institutions across 13 countries around the world.[12] The network includes the Paris School of Business in France, Instituto de Estudios Universitarios in Mexico, Macromedia University in Germany, and Istituto Marangoni in both Italy and the United Kingdom.
Regent's University London is a company limited by share capital.
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the strategy and goals of the University. The chair of the board is Nick Whitaker.[13] Day-to-day operational management is delegated to the executive team, headed by the Vice-Chancellor and CEO.[14]
In the financial year ended 30 June 2023, Regent's University London had a total income of £47.0 million and total expenditure of £42.4 million. Tuition fees were responsible for £39.2 million of the income (83%), while staff costs and other operational costs were responsible for £24.7 million (44%) and £18.7 million (58%) of the expenditure respectively.[a] Regent's University London had total net assets of £28.1 million and cash at bank and in hand of £25.7 million.[1]
Regent's University London offers a wide range of courses in business, liberal arts and fashion design and marketing. As of February 2022, Undergraduate course fees range from about £18,500 to £21,000 per annum. Regent's University London had an average of 339 full-time equivalent staff during the year ended 30 June 2021, of whom 150 were academic staff and 189 were management and administration staff.
As of 2022,[update] Regent's University London had 1,865 students.[2] The student body is international, with 420 (23%) of students coming from Britain, 350 (19%) from the European Union and 1,095 (59%) from the rest of the world.[2]
The Regent's University Student Union organises a range of clubs and societies, including (as of 2012[update]) Polo Club, Finance and Investment Society and Model United Nations.[15] The union also organises the Students in Free Enterprise initiative.[15]
