Royal Holloway and Bedford New College papers

Scope and Content

The collection comprises records relating to merger discussions and processes; founding documentation; minutes of committees; annual reports; prospectuses and other student recruitment and induction material; presentation and graduation records; staff newsletters; alumni publications; and photographs.

Much of the collection is currently uncatalogued. If you have a specific query please contact the Archivist.

Administrative / Biographical History

Due to cuts in Higher Education Funding during the 1970s, University of London Colleges faced competition and so began to look at merging in order to avoid closure. Bedford and Royal Holloway signed a merger agreement in 1982 and Bedford gradually moved over to the Egham campus, in time for students to start at the merged college in the year 1985/6. In 1992 the day to day name of the College was changed to Royal Holloway, University of London although its legal title remains as Royal Holloway and Bedford New College.

Access Information

All records are open subject to the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All records containing personal information about individuals are subject to the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998.

The archives service is open Wednesday to Friday with seasonal closures. Visits to view records are by prior appointment only. More information can be found on our website www.royalholloway.ac.uk/archives

Other Finding Aids

A more detailed catalogue is available on our website: www.royalholloway.ac.uk/archives The catalogue is a work in progess and new descriptions are being uploaded regularly. Please excuse any incomplete catalogue entries and contact us ( archives@rhul.ac.uk) to ask for more information about any of the entries.

Conditions Governing Use

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the College Archivist.

Accruals

Expected.

Related Material

The records of Royal Holloway College (c.1886-1985) and Bedford College (c.1849-1985) are also held at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Bibliography

Prebble, John, Struggle and Achievement: Royal Holloway, University of London 1980-2002, 2005.