History
York St John has a long and distinctive
history. York Diocesan Training School for teacher education,
opened in May 1841 with one pupil on the register, 16 year old
Edward Preston Cordukes. (The current Students’ Union building is
named in his honour). In 1846 the Female Training School was
founded. Both prospered and the lack of space in York resulted in
the move of the Women’s College to Ripon in 1862. The college in
York was described as St John’s College from the late 1890s and by
1904 St John’s was the largest Diocesan College in the country with
112 students.
In the 20th Century both institutions developed its subject
portfolio expanding student numbers, culminating in their
unification as the College of Ripon & York St John in 1974. Our
relationship with the University of Leeds dates back to 1920 and in
1990 we became a full College of the University. However, during
the summer of 2001 the College signed a new accreditation agreement
with the University which provided increased levels of
devolution.
In 1999 a decision was made to relocate all provision to the
York campus - and by the end of 2001 all students and staff had
transferred, with a change of name to York St John. In September
2005 York St John was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers.
Following this, York St John received approval from the Privy
Council of the United Kingdom to become a University College and
adopted the full title of York St John University College on the 1
February 2006. Application for university status meant undergoing a
further stage of assessment and scrutiny, and on 1 October 2006,
York St John University College changed its name and identity to
become York St John University. From this firm foundation we are
now establishing a strong profile within the region as a
University.
Life More Abundant - Professor
Gordon McGregor
Professor Gordon McGregor, former Principal of University
College of Ripon and York St John, has published a history of the
organisation, which has now become York St John University.
Copies of the book Life More
Abundant are on sale at £15 for a paperback and £25 for a
hardback, and can be obtained from the Reception at York St John
University or from the Development Office by contacting 01904
876738' Alternatively download a
copy of the order form here