Royal Holloway, University of London

Infobox University
name = Royal Holloway, University of London
established = 1849 (Bedford College)
1879 (Royal Holloway College)
1985 (merger)


motto = "Esse quam videri"
mottoeng = To be, rather than to seem
type = Public
students = 8,335cite web|url= http://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/dataTables/studentsAndQualifiers/download/institution0607.xls|title= Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07|accessdate= 2008-09-01|format= Microsoft Excel spreadsheet|publisher= Higher Education Statistics Agency]
undergrad = 5,960
postgrad = 2,375
staff =
endowment = £57 million [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Finance/Docs/Financial%20State%2005.pdf Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2005] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.]
principal = Professor Stephen Hill
campus = Suburban
city = Egham
state = Surrey
country = England
affiliations = 1994 Group University of London ACU AMBA
colours =

scarf start
website = http://www.rhul.ac.uk/

Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL) is a constituent college of the University of London. The college has around 7,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 120 different countries. The college's campus is located in Egham, Surrey, within the boundary of the Greater London Urban Area, although some 20 miles from the geographic centre of London.

The campus was founded in 1879 by the Victorian entrepreneur, Thomas Holloway. Royal Holloway College was a women-only institution, and was officially opened in 1886 by Queen Victoria. Royal Holloway College became a member of the University of London 1900. In 1945, the College began admitting male postgraduate students, and in 1965, male undergraduates. In 1985, Royal Holloway College merged with Bedford College (another formerly all-women's college in London which was founded in 1849 and, like Royal Holloway College, joined the University of London in 1900 and became fully co-educational in 1965). The merged college was named Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (RHBNC), this remaining the official registered name of the College.

The campus is dominated by its original building, known as the Founder's Building, which is modelled on Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, France. The building has occasionally been used as a filming location. From 2002 to 2008, Royal Holloway underwent a £100 million investment programme and a re-development of its campus. The college is currently made up of 3 faculties and 18 academic departments. The Students' Union employs 250 student staff and also publishes "The Orbital" magazine and broadcasts Insanity radio. The College's independent student newspaper is entitled "The Founder".

History

Royal Holloway College

Royal Holloway College, a women-only college, was founded by the Victorian entrepreneur, Thomas Holloway, in 1879. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/About/profile.html Profile of Royal Holloway] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.] The founding of the College was brought about after Holloway, seeking to fulfil a philanthropic gesture, [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Visitors-Guide/picture-gallery.html The Royal Holloway Collection] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.] began a public debate through "The Builder" regarding "How best to spend a quarter of a million or more", at which point his wife proposed to build a college especially for women. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/About/history.html Brief History] . Royal Holloway, Univesity of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.] Holloway later increased his original sum of money to half a million, and today, the campus is still dominated by its original 600-bed building, known as the Founder's Building, designed by William Henry Crossland and inspired by the Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, France. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/sunday_times_university_guide/article2496167.ece Royal Holloway] . "The Sunday Times University Guide", 2007-09-23. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.] Sir Nikolaus Pevsner called the original College building "the most ebullient Victorian building in the Home Counties", and noted that together with its sister building the Holloway Sanatorium, it represents "the summit of High Victorian design". The Founder's Building, which is now Grade I listed, [http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/royal-holloway-university-of-london-459040.html Royal Holloway, University of London] . "The Independent", 2007-07-27. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] was officially opened in 1886 by Queen Victoria, who allowed the use of "Royal" in the college's name. [http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/undergraduate/holloway/history/academic.shtml Academic leadership] . London External. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/college-profile/royal/timeline01.html College Royal Connections] . Royal Holloway, Univesity of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] Founder's has been described by "The Times" as "one of Britain’s most remarkable university buildings", largely due to its elaborate architecture, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2166701.ece The Times Good University Guide profile: Royal Holloway, University of London] . "The Times", 2008-06-19. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.] and according to "The Sunday Times" it "makes the college instantly recognisable". The college also has a Chapel, completed in 1886 as one of the last parts of the University to be finished. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/FOI/RH-KeyFacts-2007.pdf Royal Holloway, University of London - Key Facts] . Royal Holloway, University of London, March 2007. Retrieved on 2008-08-30.] October 1887 saw the arrival of the first 28 students at Royal Holloway College. It later became a constituent of the University of London in 1900, as did Bedford College with which Royal Holloway College would eventually merge.

Mergers

Bedford College was founded by Elizabeth Jesser Reid in 1849 as a higher education college for the education of women. Reid leased a house at 47 Bedford Square in the Bloomsbury area of London, and opened the Ladies College in Bedford Square. The intention was to provide a liberal and non-sectarian education for women, something no other institution in the United Kingdom provided at the time. The college moved to 8 and 9 York Place (off Baker Street) in 1874, and the to Regent's Park in 1908. In 1900, the college became a constituent school of the University of London. Like Royal Holloway College, following its membership of the University of London, in 1965, it allowed male undergraduates to study on its premises for the first time.

Royal Holloway College and Bedford College merged in 1985. The merge between the two establishments was forced to take place due to a lack of government funding for higher education, and the college was named Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (RHBNC), with an inauguration being held at the College Chapel in 1986 by Queen Elizabeth II. The newest title remains the official registered name of the college, though this was changed for day-to-day use to "Royal Holloway, University of London" by the College Council in 1992.

It was announced in October 2008, that Royal Holloway is set to merge with the prestigous medical institute, St George's, University of London to form a single educational and research institution within the University of London. [cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/oct/01/universitymergers.highereducation| title=London universities merge| publisher=The Guardian | date =2008-10-01]

Picture Gallery

Royal Holloway is well-known for its Picture Gallery, located within the Founder's Building. Between 1881 and 1883, Thomas Holloway paid the equivalent of £6 million for a collection of 77 Victorian era paintings which now form the Royal Holloway Collection. The majority of the collection was acquired from Christie's sales' catalogues, except for five, and it is thought that Holloway was only ever outbid once. The Royal Holloway Collection is due to be exhibited in a 2-year tour of the United States, making this its debut in an exhibition overseas.Pate, Amy. [http://egham.stainesnews.co.uk/2008/08/university-art-to-tour-usa.html University art to tour USA] . Staines News, 2008-08-28. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] On 12 October 2008 the paintings will be displayed at the Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma, moving on to other art museums in America until 2010. In order to fund the maintenance of Founder's, 3 paintings were sold for £21 million between 1993 and 1995, and the remaining paintings at Royal Holloway have a current value of £16.6 million.

Campus

Location and governance

Royal Holloway's campus in Egham is set in 135 acres of woodland, resting between Windsor and Heathrow. Around 200 species of shrubs and 150 different types of tree can be found in Royal Holloway's boundaries. By rail, the campus is 35 minutes from the centre of London, 19 miles away in total, and Windsor is also short journey away. The campus is also minutes from the M25 and M3, M4 and M40 as well as London's Heathrow Airport. While Royal Holloway's worst feature is considered to be that "Egham is not known for its social scene", it has been noted that the campus's environment "offers the best of both worlds - friendly and relaxed on the one hand, dynamic and busy on the other." The current principal, Professor Stephen Hill, also commends its "superb campus environment and the close-knit nature of our community". [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/About/welcome.html Welcome from the Principal] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.] "The Independent" stated that the University is "Renowned for its friendly and supportive environment".

The Founder's Building has been the centre of media attention and occasionally employed as a filming loaction. The 2006 film "" starring Sharon Stone was partly filmed at the South Quad of the Founder's Building during the summer of 2005, becoming the only location to be used outside London. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/messages/press/message.asp?ref_no=217 Media & Events] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] Some areas of the building were also made to look like a psychiatric institute for the film. Similarly, the Academy Award-winning movie "Howards End" had some scenes shot inside one of the Founder's courtyards with the statue of Queen Victoria visible. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/For-Staff/on-campus/media/oct2001.html Founder's is TV star] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.] The BBC's "Antiques Roadshow" has used the North Quad of the Founder's Building as a location for one of its antique filming days, and in 2002, an episode of "Midsomer Murders", ("Murder on St. Malley's Day"), was partly shot inside the South Quad of the Founder's building. The character Sophie Neveu in the best-selling book "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown is mentioned as having studied cryptography at the Information Security Group at Royal Holloway.MacLeod, Donald. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2003/aug/07/highereducation.uk Write-up boost for Royal Holloway] . "The Guardian", 2003-08-07. Retrieved on 2008-08-30.] Royal Holloway's Information Security Group is amongst the biggest academic security groups in the world, and in 1998, it was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of its work. [ [http://www.isg.rhul.ac.uk/node/21The Queens Anniversary Prize] . isg.rhul.ac.uk. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.]

The College Council stands as the governing body of Royal Holloway, taking responsibility for the College's "financial probity and for setting its overall strategic direction." [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/contact-us/Council.html The College Council] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] There are 25 members of the council, many of which are lay members from outside of Royal Holloway, and every member is appointed for a fixed term. A total of 16 lay members are appointed; 2 from local authorities; 1 selected by the Privy Council; another by the University of London; 2 more are appointed as alumni from Royal Holloway, Bedford College or Royal Holloway College; and the rest are chosen to offer a range of skills and experience. The Council's Chairman, who is appointed for 5 years, is also a lay member. One of The Chairman's duties is to chair a number of committees including the Remuneration Committee, which handles the pay and benefits of the senior staff. Royal Holloway's current principal is Professor Stephen Hill, who was elected by The College Council. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/contact-us/structure.html Management Structure] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] Hill, a social scientist, is a former Deputy Director at the LSE whose published research brought about the Government report on Corporate Social Responsibility. The 3 Vice-Principals include Professor Rob Kemp, Mr David Sweeney and Professor Geoff Ward, who are each responsible for one of the following - academic affairs communications; enterprise and research; and planning and resources. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/contact-us/structure.html Management Structure] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.]

Halls of residence

The halls of residence at Royal Holloway, the most of which are situated around the campus, are initially allocated to the first year to students who firmly accept a conditional or unconditional offer. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2155451.ece Royal Holloway University of London] . "The Times Good University Guide", 2008-06-19. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.] Accommodation prices at the University can vary, ranging from £67 per week to £112 per week. As well as self-catered housing being made available, catered-pay-as-you-go accommodation is also on offer. At present, 2,900 students reside in halls of residence.

Founder's, the main Royal Holloway building, houses 479 students, for whom meals are catered. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Registry/sac/sh/halls.html Halls of Residence] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-28.] Also on the campus, Gowar and Wedderburn, a construction of 564 study bedrooms in two new blocks, was opened in September 2004. These halls will also be used as accommodation for rowers at the 2012 Olympic Games. [ [http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_946.pdf Report for the IOC Evaluation Commisssion for the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012 (see page 18)] . multimedia.olympic.org. Retrieved on 2008-08-28.] Similar accommodation blocks, named Butler, Tuke and Williamson, were completed in September 2007 to replace the ageing Athlone, Cameron and Williamson Halls. Of the waste created by the demolition of Athlone, Cameron and Williamson, 98 per cent was recycled. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Facilities-Management/2007/Environment-and-Sustainability/Go%20Green.pdf Sustainability at Royal Holloway 2008] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-28.] All five of these new halls were named after former principals and have been designed to be environmentally friendly, accomplished by sedum-planted roofs that change colour by season, as well as being designed to improve insulation. In an assessment used to distinguish the environmental performance of buildings, BREEMAN rated the Butler, Tuke and Williamson halls as "very good", as their construction was designed to reduce heat loss. Most of the halls of residence are situated on the campus, with the exception of the Kingswood I and II accommodation which is 1 mile away. These halls hold over 400 students, and a free bus service operates to the campus. Other accommodation includes Highfield Court (125 students), Penrose Court (200 students), Reid Hall (287 students), Runnymede Hall (441 students) which was opened by Anne, Princess Royal in 1992 and Victorian Houses (25 postgraduate students).

Re-development

Between 2002 to 2008, the college underwent a £100 million investment programme and a re-development of its campus, as a result of the merge with Bedford College and the sale of Bedford's site in Regent's Park. A number of recent projects undertaken by Royal Holloway have included an extension to the School of Management, the library (which holds half a million books), and the academic staff, as well as an improvement to student services. The biological science laboratories have also been renovated and the Windsor Building has been used to create seminar rooms and a 400-seat auditorium. As an extension to the drama department, the on-site Victorian boilerhouse has been converted into a performance space. The International Building, opened in 2000 by Anne, Princess Royal, houses the Language Centre along with the English, European Studies, French, German, Italian and Hispanic Studies Departments. [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/visitors-guide/Virtual-Tours/scenes/international-building.html International Building] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] The new developments have also been followed by the establishment of formal links with institutions in New York, Sydney and Yale, and connections with the Royal College of Music means that music students at Royal Holloway have the opportunity to take lessons there.

The size of the campus has allowed the college to develop some of the best sports facilities of any university institution in the London area, and helped build the college's reputation as a sporting institutions of excellence. An aerobics studio, fitness suite, sports Hall, sports fields and tennis courts account for some of the sporting facilities that Royal Holloway offers. [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/sports/docs/sportsfacilities/indoor_facilities.html Indoor Sport Facilities] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29; [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/sports/docs/sportsfacilities/outdoor_facilities.html Outdoor Sport Facilities] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] Situated on the campus are restaurants, college shops, a bank, a health centre, a Chapel, a careers centre, as well as a new sports complex. As a result of an evaluation by People & Planet in 2007, Royal Holloway was ranked a disappointing 60th out of 120 universities for environmental performance. The University has put into place initiatives to enhance environmental performance, such as the improvement of woodland management to develop nature conservation and more recycling banks are being introduced to halls of residence.

Academic structure

The University is made up of a number of schools and departments organised into three faculties, [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Departments/ Departments] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.] and 18 academic departments. One Dean heads each faculty, and are supported by Deputy Deans. The Principal takes the role of appointing The Heads of Department, who in turn report to their faculty's Dean. The faculties are as follows:

Faculty of Arts

*Classics
*Drama & Theatre
*English
*European Studies
*Media Arts
*Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures (French, German, Hispanic Studies & Italian)
*Music

Faculty of History and Social Sciences

*Economics
*European Studies
*Health & Social Care
*History
*Management
*Politics and International Relations

Faculty of Sciences

*Biological Sciences
*Computer Science
*Earth Sciences
*Geography
*Mathematics
*Physics
*Psychology
*Chemical and Bioanalytical Sciences
*Electron Microscopy Unit
*Information Security Group
*Science Communication

Courses

Royal Holloway runs a variety of academic degree programmes, including Single Honours and Joint Honours, with fees of £3,145 for full-time undergraduate students. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/may/01/universityguide.highereducation18 Royal Holloway, University of London] . "The Guardian", 2008-05-01. Retrieved on 2008-08-30.] The study of an undergraduate programme leads to one of five University of London degrees, which include Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Economics), Bachelor of Music and Master in Science. [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/registry/academic_regulations/Undergraduate_Regulations.html Undergraduate Regulations] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] Lowered fees, or even free places are allocated to students who stay on to complete a postgraduate degree. The University also runs e-degrees in classics, history and business management. New degrees planned for 2008 include maths and finance, criminology and sociology, computer science and finance, and geography and international relations. For students who obtain results of ABB or more at A-Level, standard bursaries of £500 are automatically doubled. On a competitive basis, Founder's Scholarships worth £3,500 a year are given to 20 students who achieve AAA, and for those who do not have a maintenance grant, 60 Bedford Scholarships are made available worth £1000.

Royal Holloway is particularly strong in the arts and humanities; "cultural and artistic opportunities are hard to rival with excellent theatres, high-profile student media outlets and a strong musical tradition", wrote "The Sunday Times". In the most recent research reviews, French, German, geography and music were judged to be of an international standard, with 5* ratings. "The Guardian UK University Guide" in 2005 ranked the Language Department 9th in Britain. [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/modern-languages/admissions/ml-info.html Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.]

In biological sciences and psychology, teaching assessments awarded top scores to the departments, in addition to all of the sciences being rated "nationally outstanding" for research in 2001, managing to obtain the highest 5 or 5* awards. In the National Student Survey, physics at Royal Holloway achieved the best results. Royal Holloway also makes a science foundation year available at further education colleges within the region.

The School of Management has all three of its MBA programmes accredited by AMBA, and obtained management school status in 1993. [http://www.independent.co.uk/student/postgraduate/business-schools/royal-holloway-school-of-management-772145.html Royal Holloway School of Management] . "The Independent", 2008-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.] At present, the school has 1000 undergraduate students, in addition to 300 postgraduates. The History Department also fares well in research and teaching reviews, and remains the University of London's biggest History Department.

An Advanced Skills Programme is also run at the University, featuring information technology, communication skills and foreign languages. "The 2007 Sunday Times University Guide" lists all of the following subjects taught at Royal Holloway as excellent: classics and ancient history; drama, dance and cinematics; economics; geology; history; maths, statistics and operational research; organismal biosciences; physics and astronomy; and psychology.

The number of students from working-class homes has seen an increase at Royal Holloway, though undergraduates from independent school count for a quarter of the University's undergraduate students, and it is listed as having one of the lowest state school intakes. ["The Sunday Times Good University Guide", 2007-09-23, p. 17.] Student applications for 2007 courses, 11,931 in total, increased by more than 14 per cent, while there were only 2,153 places available. The rise was attributed to the high student satisfaction being shown by two national surveys, the most recent of which proved Royal Holloway's geography students to be the most satisfied in the country. It is estimated that 20 per cent of undergraduates are from overseas. 67.3 per cent of students achieve a First or 2:1 degree. Royal Holloway employs 1388 members of staff, including 534 academic staff and 132 research staff. The total number of undergraduate and postgraduate students is around 7,700 from 120 countries.

tudy Abroad Programme

RHUL has developed a variety of study abroad programmes, allowing its students to spend a year in institutions including Boston College, the University of California (UC Berkeley, UCLA and the other campuses), and New York University in the United States; the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, and the University of Toronto in Canada; Korea University in Republic of Korea; the University of Sydney in Australia; and the National University of Singapore. [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/For-Students/studyabroad9.html Partner Institutions] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.]

Royal Holloway collaborates with Queen Mary, University of London to help run programmes at a college of the University of London in Paris, France, known as the University of London Institute in Paris (ULIP). [http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/london-institute-in-paris-university-of-459101.html London Institute in Paris, University of London] . "The Independent", 2007-07-27. Retrieved on 2008-08-28.] This offers undergraduate and graduate students the chance to study University of London ratified French Studies degrees in France. Students who take a degree in French, German, Italian or Hispanic Studies will all take a year abroad as an integral part of the course. [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/modern-languages/admissions/year-abroad.html What do I do in my year abroad?] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.]

Academic reputation

Infobox UK university rankings
The_Times = 30th
Sunday_Times = 28th
The_Guardian = 35th
The_Telegraph = 13th
The_Independent = 22ndRoyal Holloway has been recognised for maintaining a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. The University's graduate unemployment rate has been judged to be "consistently among the very lowest", with only 3.2 per cent of graduates unemployed. Furthermore, according to the latest official statistics for 2006, Royal Holloway is second out of 90 universities in England and Wales for the amount of its students who go into graduate employment. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/For-Alumni/Alumni-Relations-Updates/Jan2007/2.html Graduate Employment Figures] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-27. ] Royal Holloway also came 5th in a league table of UK universities in the 2005 National Survey of Student Satisfaction, placing it alongside universities such as University College London and Exeter. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4265894.stm Students rate university courses] . BBC News, 2005-09-21. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.]

"The Times Good University Guide" for 2009 ranked the University at 30th in the United Kingdom, with a total score of 626 points out of a possible 1000. [ [http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php Good University Guide 2009] . "The Times". Retrieved on 2008-08-02.] "The Sunday Times University Guide" for 2008 listed Royal Holloway as the 28th best University in Britain out of 120, [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2155451.ece Royal Holloway University of London] . "The Sunday Times Good University Guide", 2008-09-21. Retrieved on 2008-09-27.] with a 74.9 per cent student satisfaction. [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/sunday_times_university_guide/article4774000.ece Profile: Royal Holloway] . "The Sunday Times", 2008-09-21. Retrieved on 2008-09-27.] In The Good University Guide, Royal Holloway is ranked number 22 in Britain, [ [http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=6524 The Good University Guide] . thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.] while "The Guardian" placed it at 35, [ [http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Education/documents/2008/05/08/rankingsrevised.xls Guardian University Guide] . "The Guardian". Retrieved on 2008-08-26.] "The Independent" at 22, [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/the-main-league-table-2009-813839.html The main league table 2009] . "The Independent", 2008-04-24. Retrieved on 2008-09-02.] and "The Telegraph" at 13. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1558897/University-league-table.html University league table] . "The Daily Telegraph", 2007-07-30. Retrieved on 2008-09-02.]

Following Imperial College's recent withdrawal, Royal Holloway is now placed third amongst the colleges of the University of London federation, behind LSE and University College London. [ [http://www.thegooduniversityguide.com/nuke_beta/league_static.php?auth=1&order_by=rank&startNum=1&endNum=12&search_ins_old= The Good University Guide League Table] . The Good University Guide. Retrieved on 2007-09-18.] The University is also listed as the 6th best university in London out of 20. ["The Sunday Times Good University Guide", 2007-09-23, p. 25.]

The results of the most recent Research Assessment Exercise placed Royal Holloway at 9th among ten university institutions whose departments all earned the top ratings for research, whether they achieved 4, 5 or 5* ratings. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Research/rae.html HEFCE Research Assessment Exercise Results] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.] Additionally, Royal Holloway was listed as the 12th best University for research in Britain by "The Sunday Times". ["The Sunday Times Good University Guide", 2007-09-23, p. 20.]

tudents' Union

With little nearby off-campus activity, there is a great emphasis placed on The Royal Holloway Students' Union (SURHUL), which "has a reputation as one of the best unions in the London area", in the words of "The Independent". The Students' Union provides much of the on-campus entertainment, through to organising and sponsoring the sport clubs and special-interest societies, on top of providing advice and counselling to students through the Student Advice Centre.Royal Holloway, University of London 2008 Undergraduate Prospectus, p. 16.] Like most Students' Unions in the United Kingdom, SURHUL is run entirely by the student body itself, headed by a team of elected student officers, including four paid Sabbatical Officers who work full time, having been elected for one year.Royal Holloway, University of London 2008 Undergraduate Prospectus, p. 17.] In keeping with democratic practice, the elected Officers' executive power is held in check by the legislative power of General Meetings.Royal Holloway, University of London 2008 Undergraduate Prospectus, p. 16.] The Sabbatical Officers also have 15 unpaid volunteers (elected Executive Officers) at their assistance. In order to supervise the administration and commercial activities of the Union, 20 permanent members of staff are employed. More than £1 million a year accounts for the Union's turnover. The Union uses the employment of 250 student staff, and also runs an accreditation scheme for the student staff and volunteers.Royal Holloway's Student Union provides entertainment seven days a week, with a function hall which holds 1,200 people, three bars, a coffee shop and administrative offices all located within the Union's main building. The Students' Union also controls three other student-run bars; Medicine, The Stumble Inn and Tommy's. [ [http://www.surhul.co.uk/content/index.php?page=11383 Tommy's Bar] . surhul.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] Union events have attracted acts such as Trevor Nelson and Tim Westwood. An annual Summer Ball is held at the Founder's Building at the year's end, with a survivor's breakfast for those still on their feet 6am the day after the ball begins. The likes of Girls Aloud, Lemar and Wheatus have all headlined at the Ball. There are also market days, at which a variety of items are sold including fresh fruit, vegetables, books, and there are also CD sales.

Over 100 student societies and clubs, run by a committee of students, are put on through the Union. Societies include the James Bond Appreciation Society, the Comedy Society (which hosts stand up evenings throughout term time), The Institute for Impure Science (IFIS), and Anime and Manga, which won society of the year for 2004/05. [ [http://www.surhul.co.uk/sa/content/index.php?page=11501 Societies at Royal Holloway] . surhul.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.] The Union also maintains a number of successful sports club, catering to sports as diverse as rowing and ultimate. The 2007/08 "Sports Club of the Year" award went to the Bears Basketball Club. [http://www.rhulbasketball.co.uk/]

Media

The Royal Holloway Students' Union is responsible for broadcasting Insanity radio station, which was established in 1998. [http://www.ulu.co.uk/content/index.php?page=6334 The University of London Union] . ulu.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-09-01.] Available locally on 1287MW, Insanity broadcasts during term time, between the hours of 8am and 1am, 7 days a week. The station is also available worldwide through the internet. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Whats-New/news2004/insanity.html College News] . Royal Holloway, University of London, 2004-11-17. Retrieved on 2008-09-01.] Receiving a positive reaction, the station has twice won the Silver Award for Best Student Radio Station at BBC Radio 1's Student Radio Awards, and has also won the Best Marketing and Promotions Award 3 times since 1999.

Released up to 14 times per academic year, "The Orbital" is a lifestyle magazine published fornightly by the Students' Union, covering subjects from culture to entertainment. [http://www.surhul.co.uk/orbital/content/index.php?page=12925 What is The Orbital?] . surhul.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-09-01.] The original official Royal Holloway student publication was in the format of a newspaper called "The Egham Sun", but this was replaced with the magazine edition in the early 1990s. The magazine has a readership of 6,000, and a print media budget of £10,000, which is considered low compared to some other University's £50,000 budget. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Resources/Helper_apps/Message.asp?ref_no=400 The Orbital wins Best Student Magazine 2006] . Royal Holloway University of London, 2006-12-01. Retrieved on 2008-09-01.] "The Orbital" was named runner-up at the 2000 Guardian Student Media Awards in the category of Student Magazine of the Year. [ [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/For-Staff/on-campus/Nov/media.html Student media up for national awards] . Royal Holloway, University of London, November 2001. Retrieved on 2008-09-01.] The magazine was named the Best Student Magazine at the 2006 National Student Journalism Awards, as well as being nominated in two other categories: Best Student Critic and Best Student Photographer. Judges from the media industry said of the magazine, it is "gritty, witty, relevant and coherent, packaged with good design and strong front covers."

"The Founder" is the College's independent student newspaper. Through its independence, it is dubbed the "free voice of Royal Holloway". Founded in 2006, 5,000 free copies are printed and distributed on a fortnightly basis to numerous spots on campus and in the local area. The newspaper receives no financial support from the College or SURHUL and thus advertising revenue acquired by the students on the editorial board pays for the printing costs of the paper. This means that editorial and financial responsibility is entirely that of students. At the 2007 Guardian Student Media Awards, Christian Anthony was shortlisted for the Student critic of the year Award. [Mickel, Andrew. [http://media.guardian.co.uk/studentmediaawards/page/0,,2272414,00.html The winners Journalism with a passion] . "The Guardian". Retrieved on 2008-09-01.]

Additional logos

Royal Holloway's coat of arms consists of the Royal Holloway shield and its surrounding elements. There are three crescents shown on the coat of arms, which are taken from Thomas Holloway's own coat of arms. [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Services/Design-Studio/Corp_ID.pdf Corporate Manual] . Royal Holloway, University of London. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.] Taken from the Bedford coat of arms, the field is coloured black and gold in a chequered design, with the addition of ermine spots (feather-like symbols representing ermine tails) from the Royal Holloway coat. Placed between two black lozenges, there is a lamp of learning. Traditionally, the lozenge is worn on the arm of unmarried women or widows, which places significance on the coat of arms' lozenges as it acts as a reminder that the colleges were founded for women. Below, the motto is displayed which is taken from the arms of Bedford College, and reads 'Esse Quam Videri'.

The Royal Holloway shield was created following the merger of Bedford and Royal Holloway Colleges in 1985. The shield appears (in a black and white form) on legal documents and stationery for legal reasons, along with the following: "Incorporated by Act of Parliament. Royal Holloway and Bedford New College."

*See Corporate Identity Manual, RHUL regarding correct design and conditions of use of Logo, Shield and Coat of Arms.

People

Notable alumni

* Chris Aldridge, British newsreader
* Tahmima Anam (1975-), Bangladeshi born writer and novelist
* Dean Ayass (1976-), British wrestling manager and commentator
* Norman Baker MP (1957-), British politician
* Gregory Barker MP (1966-), British politician
* David Bellamy OBE (1933-), English botanist, environmentalist, author and broadcaster
* Susan Bullock (1958-), English soprano
* Ivy Compton-Burnett (1884-1969), English novelist
* Richmal Crompton (1890-1969), English writer
* Emily Davison (1872-1913), English suffragette activist
* Edith Durham (1863-1944), British traveller, artist, writer and anthropologist
* Dame Janet Fookes DBE DL (1936-), English politician, Conservative member of the House of Lords
* Emma Freud (1962-), English broadcaster and cultural commentator
* Robert Garside (1967-), English record-breaking adventurer
* Janice Hadlow, controller of BBC Four
* Conor Hanratty (1981-), Irish theatre director and scholar
* Robin Ince (1969-), English comedian
* Kathleen Lonsdale (1903-1971), Irish crystallographer
* Dame Felicity Lott DBE (1947-), English soprano
* Jojo Moyes (1969-), British novelist
* Mary Nightingale (1964-), British newsreader
* Jeremy Northam (1961-), English actor
* Simon Nye (1958-), English comic television writer
* Andrew Poppy (1954-), British composer, pianist and music producer
* Frances Stevenson (1888–1972), British personal secretary and second wife of Prime Minister David Lloyd George
* Mark Strong (1963-), English actor
* Joby Talbot (1971-), British composer
* Simon Thurley (1963-), British architectural historian
* KT Tunstall (1975-), Scottish singer and songwriter
* Roxanne McKee (1980-), British actress
* Francis Wheen (1957-), British journalist, writer and broadcaster
* Richard Clarke (1978-), English Radio Presenter

Notable staff

* Professor Khizar Humayun Ansari, OBE - Director of the Centre for Ethnic Minority Studies
* Professor David Bradby - Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies
* Professor David Cesarani, OBE - Research Professor in History
* Professor Justin Champion - Professor of the History of Early Modern Ideas
* Professor Michael Eysenck - Professor of Psychology
* Professor Edith Hall - Professor of Classics and Drama
* Professor Roger Lockyer - Reader in History, specialist in Tudor and Stuart Britain
* Professor Peter Longerich - Director of the Research Centre for the Holocaust and Twentieth-Century History
* Professor Andrew Motion, FRSL - Poet Laureate, Professor of Creative Writing
* Professor Nigel Saul - Professor of Medieval History
* Professor Francis Robinson, CBE, FRAS - Professor of the History of South Asia
* Professor Anthony Stockwell, FRAS - Professor of Modern History

ee also

* Bedford College
* Holloway Sanatorium – the other of Holloway's great philanthropic institutions, opened two years earlier in nearby Virginia Water
* University of London Institute in Paris (ULIP)

References

External links

* [http://www.rhul.ac.uk/ Royal Holloway, University of London official website]
* [http://www.surhul.co.uk/ Students' Union of Royal Holloway, University of London official website]
* [http://www.insanityradio.com Insanity Radio official website]
* [http://www.thefounder.co.uk/ The Founder official website]