University of Essex

A look at the development of the University of Essex in 1973, since it was conceived in the late 1950s.

The film opens with the titles over a shot of the original University building, Wivenhoe Hall. It moves to a shot of the Gabrielli String Quartet playing in the University Theatre. There are shots of the University, including some aerial shots. The commentary explains that Essex is one of a series of new Universities built in the middle to late sixties. The others were York, Warwick, Lancaster, Norwich and Canterbury. The film shows potential students the attractions of the surrounding area. These include the older part of Colchester, the Castle and the Mercury Theatre. Also shown are the port area at Colchester Hythe and views of Brightlingsea. The film shows the attractions slightly further afield including Flatford Mill and Willie Lott's cottage. At the University, Wivenhoe Park, set out in the eighteenth century, and the interior of Wivenhoe House feature. The new University buildings are shown. These include the facilities on campus, such as shops, restaurants and coffee bars and also lecture theatres, laboratories, the language centre laboratories and the library. There are interior shots of these.The film explains the academic commitment of the University and the nature of an Essex degree. The original departments of the University were Chemistry, Economics, Government, the Language Centre, Literature, Mathematics, Physics and Sociology. To these were added Computing Science and Electrical Engineering Science. The most recent additions are History, Biology and Philosophy. Offered as a selling point of an Essex degree is the combined nature of the first year of study and the ease at which a student could change courses. Methods of teaching are shown. These include lectures, tutorials, practical work and individual projects. A third year electrical engineering student talks about and shows her particular project. Graduates are seen at work. This sequences moves into scenes from a graduation ceremony, featuring the Chancellor, R.A. Butler. In 1972, the University can cater for 2,000 students. By 1980 it is hoped to have increased capacity to 5,000. Living accommodation in the towers on the University campus is contrasted with those of students living in Colchester or Brightlingsea. There is a sequence showing the work of the Students' Union and social activities. These include concerts (rock, folk and classical,) films and sports as well as theatre productions. Intercut with stills from World War I are shots from a student production of Oh! What A Lovely War. This sequence also shows the University Senate meeting, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. A. Sloman, rock climbing in Derbyshire and sailing at Brightlingsea.The final sequence looks at research work in the University. Projects include the work of the Department of Electrical Engineering Visual Systems Research Centre on development of a viewphone. This is in conjunction with the Post Office and the RNID, automatic colour correction for television and editing a new edition of Pericles. The film ends with evening shots of the University and more music from the Gabrielli String Quartet.

Featured Buildings

University of Essex; Wivenhoe House; Flatford Mill; Willie Lott's Cottage; Mercury Theatre, Colchester; Colchester Castle

Other Places

University of Essex; Colchester, Essex; Brightlingsea, Essex; Flatford, Suffolk.Derbyshire.University Of Essex.

Background Information

The University of Essex was conceived in the late 1950s as one of six new universities to be built in England to accommodate the increasing number of students seeking further education. The establishment of the University was announced in 1961. The Chancellor, R.A. Butler and the Vice-Chancellor, dr. A.E. Sloman, were appointed the following year. The University was presented with the Wivenhoe Park Site by Essex County Council. The University admitted its first students - 99 undergraduates and 23 graduates - in October 1964 and the University Charter was granted by the Queen in Privy Council in December of that year. The University awarded its first BA degrees in May 1967 along with its first honorary degrees to: Lord Butler, Lord Annan, John Emerson Davies, Professor Sir Michael Lighthill, John Northcote Nash and Sir Harold Wilson. The ceremony for the latter is recorded in another of the Archive's films.