University of Buckingham

The University of Buckingham is the UK's only private University and it is in the unique position of being independent of government funding or control. Vice-Chancellor Terence Kealey, rejects the description of the University as right-wing, preferring the label 'libertarian'. The Institution was opened by Margaret Thatcher in 1976, at this time it had college status, in 1983 it was granted university status following subsidies from Thatcher's Conservative government.

In 1985 Madsen Pirie delivered a lecture entitled 'The Privatization Option; A Strategy to Shrink the Size of Government', Pirie praised the University of Buckingham arguing that:

'Britain's universities were all completely state dominated, a public sector activity. The little University of Buckingham, which had opened with 63 students, was adopted by the Thatcher government. It was given a royal charter and the rights to grant degrees and to call itself a university. It now has over 500 students and is flourishing'

The idea for the university germinated at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), and it was founded in 1973 with the support of Harry Ferns and Ralph Harris. Its links with the IEA continue to this day, through publications, conferences, and shared staff members (Julian Morris and Dennis O'Keeffe).

During 2002, the University was in the process of starting up a new think-tank, the Max Beloff Centre for the Study of Liberty, for which it recruited several new members of staff - most notably Roger Scruton, Anthony O'Hear, Dennis O'Keeffe, and Chris Woodhead. Indications are that this think tank will be directed at promoting ideas regarding the liberalisation/privatisation of the British education system.

Margaret Thatcher is a notable and vocal supporter of the University, having formally opening it in 1976, and having been its Chancellor from 1992 until 1998. The awards day at the University is called Thatcher Day. In November 2000, Margaret Thatcher's husband, Denis, was awarded an honorary degree by the university for being an "English gentleman"

History

According to The Economist, the University of Buckingham 'set out, under its first principal, Lord Beloff, to be a tough commercial operation: under his sturdy successor, Professor Alan Peacock, it now covers its teaching costs with fee income and its capital costs from private donations. Lord Beloff describes an early dilemma over Academic freedom before the institution had been granted University status:

'In the early days of the University College at Buckingham (now the University of Buckingham) I had the painful experience - as principal - of declining an offer from a distinguished person to give a lecture on the Middle East problem. I knew that he would express a strongly pro-Israeli view with which I would find myself in large agreement. But I felt that if he came, and our Arab or other Muslim students asked to be allowed to invite another speaker to put the pro-Palestinian case, I would not be able to refuse them. And I felt that when I was trying to build up an academic community containing Jews and Arabs, Ibos and Yorubas, Malays, Chinese and Indians from Malaysia and other disparate elements it was desirable in those early days not to encourage divisions on national, religious or other grounds. I still think I was right'

In 1991 Margaret Thatcher became the university's chancellor succeeding Lord Hailsham. The following year, 1992, Buckingham established links with Bahrain University in order to share consultancy and joint research work.

Welfare Reform

In 1987 the University of Buckingham produced a report into the different options for welfare reform. Options discussed included 'schemes for making the unemployed take tests or menial jobs before qualifying for benefit, as [was] done in the United States'. Lord Young argued that the Conservatives would not implement an American style workfare program but they would utilise the Universities report in reforming the welfare system.

The report was written by John Burton who was a research director at the Institute of Economic Affairs, the report was commissioned by the Department of Employment and concluded that 'there is a case for adopting workfare in Britain, although it would not lead to much saving in the cost of unemployment to the Exchequer'.

Students

As of August 2010 the University has 700 full time undergraduates and 45 part time students. 55% of the students are international students and 41% are mature students.

Selected Departments / Staff

Vice chancellors

• Max Beloff, from 1974 to 1979 he was principal of the University College of Buckingham, now the University of Buckingham
• Alan Peacock
• Dr Terence Kealey

Management

• Nigel Mobbs, chair of council

Honorary degrees

• Arthur Seldon
• Robert Worcester
• Mr Charles Moore Doctor of Letters of the University, 2007

Economics and International Studies

• Mr Julian Morris (Visiting Professor)
• Mr Malcolm Rees
• Professor Martin Ricketts (Dean of School)
• Professor Norman Barry
• John Jewkes

Education

• Professor Anthony O'Hear | Professor Roger Scruton | Professor Chris Woodhead | Professor Dennis O'Keeffe

Politics

• Professor Norman Barry
• Dr David Green (Visiting Professor)
• Dr Tim Stringer

Alumni

• Hugh Grant, Monsanto, MBA
• Chris de Lapuente Vice-president and managing director, Procter & Gamble UK

Former Staff

• Barbara Shenfield, Former Academic Director

Powerbase Resources, Further Reading, Notes

Powerbase resources

• Teaching About Terrorism: University of Buckingham

Further reading

• Buckingham welcomes Roger Scruton and Anthony O'Hear, Buckingham University news release, 17th September 2002
• Honorary degree for Sir Denis, BBC News Online, 10 November, 2000
• Woodhead turns professor , BBC News Online, 28 February, 2002
• Alex Harrison, Buckingham University Profile, The Guardian,November 6, 2003