UEA No Longer Norwich’s Only University

Norwich will soon have two Universities following today’s announcement that Norwich University College of The Arts (NUCA) will be granted University status before the end of 2012.

David Willetts, the UK’s Universities Minister, is set to recommend to the Privy Council that NUCA and nine other institutions including University College Falmouth and Royal Agricultural College be given the title of University. NUCA has been offering degree level qualifications since 1965.

While the change may prove a popular move with many students studying in Norwich, the Minister was not a welcome face at UEA during his visit in May 2012. Students who objected to his involvement in the tuition fees increase and education cuts protested outside the lecture theatre where he spoke on philosophy and politics. Willetts entered the building through an alternative entrance.

Protestors at UEA in May.

The Forum, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Norwich City Council and even Jarrolds Department Store have congratulated NUCA on Twitter. However, comments on the Eastern Daily Press Website have shown some scepticism about the change.  One commenter wrote: “Talk about devaluing Uni’s – soon there’ll be more than senior schools! Maybe they want the fees!” while another said: “So there’s no change really then?”

Many of the University College’s Alumni have tweeted their congratulations to NUCA but The Tab’s favourite tweet comes from student Alex Francis, who writes: “These funding cuts have really started to affect #NUCA they’ve had to drop a whole letter from their name.”

Will NUCA, or NUA, become UEA’s new rival University? Have your say in the comments box below.