University College Plymouth St Mark & St John - History

History

Marjon' s history in higher education goes back to the foundation by the National Society (now National Society for Promoting Religious Education) of the constituent London colleges of St John’s College in Battersea, London (1840) and St Mark’s College in Chelsea, London (1841) a contender for third oldest university in England debate.

The St Mark's was founded on the belief of Rev Derwent Coleridge, son of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge and its first principal, that its primary purpose must be to widen the educational horizons of its students. Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth, together with E. Carleton Tufnell, established St John's to provide teacher training to meet the social and economic needs of industrialisation based on the concept of education as self-realisation. Both colleges stressed the importance of interchange between academic study and broader experience; and the role of an enlightened teaching profession in furthering social and economic development. They were among the first to open access to degree level study outside the universities. The colleges merged in 1923, establishing a single institution in Chelsea which developed a wider reputation for academic excellence and commitment to teaching. The college moved to Plymouth in 1973, and its educational activities have continued to evolve in response to local, regional, national and international needs. In 1991 the college became affiliated to the University of Exeter, which accredited it to run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to degree awards of the University. In 2007, it gained university college status and it has been able to award its own degrees. With the new status came the name of University College Plymouth St Mark & St John.

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