Battersea Polytechnic Institute

The Battersea Polytechnic Institute was a higher education institution which was the forerunner of the modern University of Surrey.

The institute was founded in 1891, admitting its first students in 1894, aimimg to provide access to further and higher education for “poorer inhabitants” of London. Specialising in science and technology subjects, in later years courses validated by the University of London were taught.

In 1956 the institute was awarded the status of "college of advanced technology" and in 1957 was renamed Battersea College of Technology.

By 1962 the college had outgrown its Battersea site, and it was decided to move from Inner London to a greenfield site in Guildford, Surrey. In 1963 a government report recommended that the colleges of advanced technology become technological universities with degree-awarding powers.

Accordingly the college was granted a charter as the University of Surrey in September 1966. The move to Guildford was completed in 1970.