Celebrating 120 Years
A montage of images from throughout Falmouth University's 120 year history. All images have a blue overlay and the Falmouth University 120 logo.
In 1902 Falmouth School of Art opened as an evolution of The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society, which aimed to 'promote the useful and fine arts, to encourage industry and to elicit the ingenuity of a community distinguished for its mechanical skill.’
The School started as we mean to go on - harnessing creativity to forge the future of industry. To celebrate this anniversary, we delved into the archives and quizzed our community to unearth the stories that have shaped us.
Our timeline: The moments that made us
Journey through our timeline to discover the moments that made us; from the inception of Falmouth School of Art in 1902 and the installation of our Chancellor Dawn French in 2015, to welcoming our new Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Hunt in 2022 (and the triumphs and challenges faced along the way).
The evolution of our prospectus
Explore how our prospectus front page has developed from the mid 1900s to the present day, and hear from the people that help bring them to life.
View story
Stories from our community
In 2022, we quizzed former and current students, staff and friends of the University about their experience at Falmouth and what it meant to them. Read about the careers launched and connections made, below.
Hear from inspiring alumni
Meet just a few of our outstanding alumni and discover where it all started.
View story
Looking ahead: Friends of Falmouth cast their minds forward
15 December 2022
Emma Rice, Rob Da Bank, Philip Marden and Sir Tim Smit KBE imagine the future of Falmouth University...
Lifelong connections made at Falmouth
15 December 2022
Hear from former students who’ve formed lifelong connections with friends they met at Falmouth.
In conversation with Professor Alan Livingston CBE (Part 1)
16 December 2022
Our Vice Chancellor talks to the former University College Falmouth principal about the challenges a...
Meet the creative team now based in the original Falmouth School of Art building
15 December 2022
We visit Kingdom & Sparrow, the creative team now based in the building where it all began.
All stories
Online Illustration student sees her reportage art shared in nine languages by the BBC
22 April 2026
“When people don’t have a voice or strong access to media, it becomes the responsibility of jour...
Online Creative Writing student shares his experience of studying after retirement
21 April 2026
“Age quickly became less important than a shared enthusiasm for writing,” says Keith Butler, a B...
Falmouth University plants Japanese cherry trees to celebrate UK–Japan friendship
20 April 2026
Falmouth University has planted 20 Japanese cherry trees across its Falmouth and Penryn campuses, as...
Creative Advertising alumna becomes a bestselling author with HarperCollins UK debut novel
17 April 2026
“Spending that year in Falmouth is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself,” says MA ...
Sustainable Product Design students win funds to make locally sourced, eco-friendly chalk
17 April 2026
Two second year BA(Hons) Sustainable Product Design students have recently been awarded £3,000 as p...
Falmouth students win big at this year’s Royal Television Society Devon & Cornwall Awards
16 April 2026
Students and graduates from across Falmouth’s School of Film & Television have seen their fi...
Professional Writing alumna is nominated at this year’s Romantic Novel Awards
14 April 2026
Following the success of her debut novel, MA Professional Writing alumna Claire Frances is now headi...
Dance & Choreography graduate returns to Cornwall with leading dance company
14 April 2026
BA(Hons) Dance & Choreography graduate Dorka Zatonyi recently returned to Cornwall in her role as En...
Falmouth graduates see their student work recognised at this year’s British Wildlife Photography Awards
09 April 2026
The British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) is a visual celebration of British wildlife that this...
Falmouth Honorary Fellow sees her historic pointe shoes restored on BBC’s The Repair Shop
09 April 2026
Acclaimed former ballerina and Falmouth Honorary Fellow, Julie Felix MBE, has built an inspiring car...
