University of London Institute in Paris
Encyclopedia
The University of London Institute in Paris (abbreviated ULIP) is a college of the University of London
located in Paris. It is currently the only UK University Institute in Continental Europe.
After the First World War
the French and British governments, concerned by the lack of understanding between the British and French armies that had become apparent during hostilities, sought means of improving cultural and language links between their countries. The French government founded an Institut français du Royaume-Uni in London (South Kensington), while another British Ambassador to France, Lord Crewe
, launched a fund for the creation of a British Institute in Paris. This was to consist of a bi-cultural teaching establishment (the Guild, reorganised and expanded) and a Franco-British student hostel in the international Cité Universitaire
, which was eventually opened in 1937 under the name Collège Franco-Britannique.
The British Institute left its Sorbonne
link to become incorporated into the University of London in 1969.
The British Institute was renamed the University of London Institute in Paris in 2005. Since then, the Institute has been part of a successful collaboration between the University of London and two of its colleges: Queen Mary, University of London
and Royal Holloway, University of London
. The intention has been to strengthen the academic activities of the Institute and to align them more closely with what is expected of a research-focused university environment.
The Institute began life teaching oral English to the French, but was soon improving the oral French
of visiting British students. Currently the Institute only offers teaching of French Studies: the English language programme has been discontinued as ULIP has looked to develop itself as more of a research-led institute.
The Institute teaches a unique BA degree and the MA in Paris Studies and hosts a large number of academic seminars, workshops and conferences that bring together leading British and French scholars and scientists in a range of academic subjects, including Law and History.
Today ULIP is located in the British Council
building which The Independent
newspaper has described as a "lovely, traditional Paris building, in a great location overlooking the Esplanade des Invalides". Its strength is that because it is a relatively small institution it can offer a more intimate learning experience than is available in a larger, more anonymous University. It has the unique advantage of allowing students to study French culture and language in the country itself whilst still offering the quality assurance of a British educational institution. The quality of its degrees is ratified by the University of London. As a result of these advantages the entrance requirements for students are quite high (AAB or ABB at A level). 70% of its students are women, 30% men.
The Dean of the Institute is Andrew Hussey
. Former directors include Francis Scarfe
(1959–1978) and Harley Granville Barker (1937–1939).
Former students include the artist Françoise Gilot who was Picasso's partner between 1944 and 1953 and author of the bestselling Life with Picasso. The BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce
also studied for a year at the Institute.
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
located in Paris. It is currently the only UK University Institute in Continental Europe.
History
The institute was established by an English woman, Edith Williams, in 1894 with the help of the then British Ambassador, Lord Dufferin. It was originally known as the "Anglo-French Guild", which from 1894 offered classes in conversational English to French students soon to qualify as teachers of English through more theoretical studies. In 1900, French classes were added, aimed at British students spending time in Paris, and thus a unique Franco-British community was created. In the same year, the Guild established itself in the rue de la Sorbonne, opposite the University of Paris.After the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the French and British governments, concerned by the lack of understanding between the British and French armies that had become apparent during hostilities, sought means of improving cultural and language links between their countries. The French government founded an Institut français du Royaume-Uni in London (South Kensington), while another British Ambassador to France, Lord Crewe
Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe
Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe KG, PC , known as The Lord Houghton from 1885 to 1895 and as The Earl of Crewe from 1895 to 1911, was a British statesman and writer....
, launched a fund for the creation of a British Institute in Paris. This was to consist of a bi-cultural teaching establishment (the Guild, reorganised and expanded) and a Franco-British student hostel in the international Cité Universitaire
Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris
The Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris , also known under its abbreviation of CIUP or often as Cité U among Parisiens, is a private park and foundation located in Paris, France...
, which was eventually opened in 1937 under the name Collège Franco-Britannique.
The British Institute left its Sorbonne
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
link to become incorporated into the University of London in 1969.
The British Institute was renamed the University of London Institute in Paris in 2005. Since then, the Institute has been part of a successful collaboration between the University of London and two of its colleges: Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
and Royal Holloway, University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London is a constituent college of the University of London. The college has three faculties, 18 academic departments, and about 8,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 130 different countries...
. The intention has been to strengthen the academic activities of the Institute and to align them more closely with what is expected of a research-focused university environment.
The Institute began life teaching oral English to the French, but was soon improving the oral French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
of visiting British students. Currently the Institute only offers teaching of French Studies: the English language programme has been discontinued as ULIP has looked to develop itself as more of a research-led institute.
The Institute teaches a unique BA degree and the MA in Paris Studies and hosts a large number of academic seminars, workshops and conferences that bring together leading British and French scholars and scientists in a range of academic subjects, including Law and History.
Today ULIP is located in the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
building which The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
newspaper has described as a "lovely, traditional Paris building, in a great location overlooking the Esplanade des Invalides". Its strength is that because it is a relatively small institution it can offer a more intimate learning experience than is available in a larger, more anonymous University. It has the unique advantage of allowing students to study French culture and language in the country itself whilst still offering the quality assurance of a British educational institution. The quality of its degrees is ratified by the University of London. As a result of these advantages the entrance requirements for students are quite high (AAB or ABB at A level). 70% of its students are women, 30% men.
The Dean of the Institute is Andrew Hussey
Andrew Hussey
Andrew Hussey OBE is a cultural historian and biographer, born in Liverpool, England. He lectured in French at the University of Huddersfield in the mid to late 1990s. He was a Senior Lecturer in French at the University of Wales Aberystwyth and since 2006 he has been the Head of French and...
. Former directors include Francis Scarfe
Francis Scarfe
Francis Scarfe was an English poet, critic and novelist, who became an academic, translator and Director of the British Institute in Paris....
(1959–1978) and Harley Granville Barker (1937–1939).
Former students include the artist Françoise Gilot who was Picasso's partner between 1944 and 1953 and author of the bestselling Life with Picasso. The BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce
Fiona Bruce
Fiona Elizabeth Bruce is a British journalist, newsreader and television presenter. Since joining the BBC in 1989, she has gone on to present many flagship programmes for the corporation including the BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten, Crimewatch, Call My Bluff and, most recently, Antiques Roadshow...
also studied for a year at the Institute.