University of Gibraltar
The University of Gibraltar is a not-for-profit independent tertiary institution. The University of Gibraltar Act 2015, which establishes the University, was passed by the Gibraltar Parliament on 30 March 2015. This Act founds the University of Gibraltar, sets out its powers, functions and duties, and internal governance. It provides for the establishment or designation of bodies to safeguard academic standards of the university and to regulate the conduct of its affairs. The Act grants the university the right and the power to award degrees (including research and honorary degrees), diplomas and certificates.
The University of Gibraltar opened its doors to the community on the 21st September 2015 and formally enrolled its first cohort of students on the 23rd September 2015. We are excited by the opportunities this new higher education institution will bring to Gibraltar and to the communities it serves. The University of Gibraltar is partnering with esteemed universities that are recognised globally for their academic excellence, ensuring a high quality offering for students. Our Europa Point campus provides a bespoke learning environment at an iconic location. Our students will be taught by local educators who understand our context and needs, as well as by highly experienced academics drawn from different universities across the world. We are brokering placements, international exchanges and experiences that will prepare our graduates for the future and provide a competitive edge in the employment market. Our academic tuition and student support systems have been designed to ensure that our graduates receive awards that meet international standards and are tailored to personal ambitions and career paths.
Starting with a blank canvas has allowed us to create a University that can respond to global issues as well as priorities of relevance to our locality. Our research will make a meaningful international contribution to Gibraltar, the Mediterranean and beyond. We are not held back by outmoded traditions or bureaucratic structures and thus we are able to respond quickly to new opportunities. This freedom enables us to convene cutting-edge thinking, attract talent and trigger innovation, which will inject dynamism and vitality into our society.
The Institute of Life and Earth Sciences and the Institute for Gibraltar and Mediterranean Studies serve as focal points for our research work. We are pleased to count on the support of our associate campuses. The Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, the Gibraltar Museum and the Gibraltar Garrison Library are our research hubs, generating new knowledge, building local research capacity and helping us to make sense of contemporary and historical issues. They will also play a key role in supporting informed decision-making and shaping policy and plans for the future.
The Institute of Professional Development acts as a gateway into the community, providing short courses and professional opportunities that offer an experience of campus life. Our outreach programmes will be diverse and will include: technical training, professional accreditation opportunities, community capacity-building as well as leadership development for senior executives and teams.
Small steps will pave the way in our initial years. The University is offering a limited initial number of undergraduate courses, through our Faculty of Health Studies and Sports Science and our Faculty of Business. We will expand our offering and our reach over a period of five years and the development of our new halls of residence will help our student community to grow.
