A history of the college

To appreciate fully the significant contribution that University College Falmouth has made to Higher Education (HE) both within the County of Cornwall, and in the wider world, it is necessary to consider its achievements within the context of its history, and refer back to the 1870s when Miss Anna Maria Fox (1815-1897), the daughter of an esteemed Quaker family, founded The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society (RCPS) in Falmouth.

The establishment of this august institution was in response to the diminution of scientific activities in the region that was brought about by the decline of the Cornish mining industry, and it was subsequently to become “the pioneer of education in art and science in the County¹”.

It was reported in Lake’s Falmouth Packet, Cornwall Advertiser and Visitors’ List on Saturday 30th August 1902 that:

“The formal opening this week of the new Art School recalls to mind that in Falmouth the art movement, like that of the technical, has only had an enduring career of success in latter years. Classes commenced as far back as 1870 under the aegis of the Polytechnic Society made considerable progress, so much so, in fact, that they bid fair to take the premier position in the County.

Ten years later, however, prospects had altered for the worse, and by 1886, owing to the withdrawal and loss of some of the valuable teaching staff, the students and income had so declined that only classes in art and building construction were carried on, and even these were subsequently abandoned. It was the formation of a Technical Instruction Committee for the district which in 1891 gave a fresh impetus to science and art instruction in Falmouth, and at the request, and with the assistance of this committee the Polytechnic classes were restarted.

Since then there has been no looking backward. Both branches have flourished. Soon the Polytechnic accommodation proved insufficient, and new quarters were provided at the Passmore Edwards Building. But so rapid was the growth of all sections that quickly the complaint of “being cabbined, cribbed and confined” became pretty general, with the result that today Falmouth possesses a well-equipped Art School where excellent work is done by numerous students who have the advantage of very superior tuition at nominal fees. Those who have borne the heat and burden of the day in achieving such a desirable end are to be commended and congratulated.”