UEL celebrates 125 years of pioneering futures

125 years of pioneering futures

Founded in 1898 as the West Ham Technical Institute, our mission has always been to provide industry-focused education. Although the world and the university have changed dramatically over time, our commitment to science, engineering, and the arts remains the same.

The People's University

Today, we continue to prepare students for the careers of the future with a commitment to providing an education that is accessible to everyone. Our foundation stone was laid by Victorian philanthropist John Passmore Edwards, who believed in opening up education to the working class, young women, and anyone previously excluded from life-changing learning and modern technical skills.

For this reason, we were dubbed "the People's University." We remain committed to our mission of changing the face of education and industry for the benefit of all.

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Rich history and heritage

In the last 125 years, we've survived a devastating fire, two world wars, produced incredible alumni, undertaken groundbreaking research and revolutionised our curriculum.

Celebrate 125 years with us

We ran a major campaign in the lead-up to the anniversary in October 2023, with a programme of events and content that paid tribute to our 125-year history and paves the way for our next 125 years.

Student outside with a friend on university campus.

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Discover our values

In collaboration with former student Luke Gray, we created an interactive mural at our Docklands Campus showcasing our values and ongoing commitment to higher education.

Inspiring future generations

We inspire the next generation of academics, workers, entrepreneurs, and creatives from across the UK, internationally, and our local community. We nurture talent wherever we find it, opening doors for people with ambition.

For over 125 years, our alumni and academics have set a powerful example for future generations. "Future generations" doesn't just refer to young people; it includes mature students looking to change careers or learn new skills, refugees without access to traditional education, and anyone with the talent and drive to achieve their ambitions. We are an inclusive university, committed to helping everyone succeed.

Our people

In celebrating our 125th anniversary, we showcased some of the amazing people who've studied and worked here, reflecting on our incredible achievements and telling our fascinating story to the world.