Polytechnic of North London (1971-1992)

 Anthony Crossland, in his notable 1965 Woolwich speech, laid out the Government's vision for a binary system of Higher Education within the UK: i.e. universities and polytechnics, where the latter would concentrate on high-level vocational skills. He claimed that, whilst it is always sensible to build on what already exists if rapid expansion is to be achieved within limited resources, it is also important to offer an alternative channel to H.E. that is distinct from the established University system in a number of ways:

- distinct in traditions that have been inherited from its precursors in the non-university sector
- distinct in its adaptability and responsiveness to social change
- distinct organisationally
- distinct in the kind of students that it attracts

The Polytechnic of North London was the result of a merger of the Northern and North Western Polytechnics in 1971. At the time of creation, the Polytechnic’s buildings were located in the following areas of North London: Holloway, Camden Town, Essex Road, Highbury and Kentish Town.

The Polytechnic’s academic provision was wide-ranging and included specialist subjects such as Architecture and Polymer Science.

The main centre for recreational activities was the theatre on Holloway Road, home of the Amateur Operatic Society, the Repertory Company and the Modern Symphony Orchestra (‘Modern’, as every programme contained at least one new work), all of which had been founded during the years of the Polytechnic’s predecessor institution, the Northern Polytechnic.

Until the passing of the Education reform Act 1988, the Polytechnic was controlled by the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA), part of the (then) Greater London Council. Degree awarding authority resided with the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA).

In 1992, the Polytechnic gained University status (and with that, degree-awarding powers) by the Further and Higher Education Act of the same year and became known as the University of North London.