University of Surrey sets out plans for the 21st century University

The University of Surrey has set out its aim to become a leading international university by 2017, challenging the best UK and international institutions, with an increased focus on quality, distinction and international impact.

The University is striving to improve its standing in the global marketplace through continuing excellence in research and teaching, aiming to attract the best UK and international students to its courses. Surrey believes that over the next decade the higher education market will become increasingly competitive on a global scale, and it must develop to meet this change. To achieve this goal the University of Surrey will further develop its international brand in Asia and the USA. The University will work with established foreign universities to develop a global network providing Surrey degrees for students around the globe.

In the future, as the network develops, Surrey students, from anywhere in the world, will be able to choose where they study in each year of their course. For example, a student may be able to spend the first year studying in the USA, second in China, third in industry and final year in Guildford. Students will develop unique skills from experiencing different cultures, helping provide the global citizens of the future.

The University believes that in countries such as China and India, which produce thousands of science and engineering graduates each year, there is still a demand for the excellent reputation UK degrees provide in the world economy. By working with universities around the world to provide such degrees, Surrey will contribute to fulfil this demand.

As well as its international aspirations, the University has also outlined plans to:

• Develop the potential to offer lifelong learning. Once students have left Surrey there should be the ability for them, and others, to continue developing their skills through continuing professional development. Surrey already has a strong CPD portfolio to build on.
• Further expand the number of courses available to students from outside Surrey’s traditional strengths in science and engineering, particularly in Arts and Humanities. The first step has been taken with the recent expansion of its English provision, with a new undergraduate English Literature programme for 2008.
• Increase student numbers over the next 10 years by over 40% (2005-06: 12,598– 2016-17: 17,750)
• Increase the financial turnover of the University by over 150% (2005-06: £172m – 2016-17: £500m)
• Continue to maximise the benefit achieved from commercial exploitation of its intellectual property from spin-offs such as Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
• Further increases in research and enterprise, working with partner institutions in the USA and Asia.

Professor Christopher Snowden, Vice-Chancellor, commented, "This 10 year strategy sets some very challenging targets for us to achieve but I believe we can reach these goals. We passionately believe that 21st century higher education is going to become truly global and we must develop to meet this challenge. We are avoiding the excessive costs of building Surrey campuses around the world and instead focussing on working with established universities to provide Surrey degrees."

"Over the next 10 years we will focus on continuing to provide quality in everything that we do while continuing to build on the distinctiveness of Surrey which partly comes from our strong links to industry and our very high levels of graduate employment. These strategic partnerships will help develop our research and enhance our teaching experience while cementing the community in which we exist. We need to ensure our plans are sustainable through effective financial management in order to enable us to continue student growth and increased research. This is an exciting time for us as an institution as we set out to become a leading 21st century university."

Media enquiries: Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: 01483 689191 or E-mail: p.la@surrey.ac.uk