The University of Bolton, based in the UK, has changed its name to the University of Greater Manchester.
This landmark announcement was made by Prof. George E. Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the institution. He expressed his excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to announce that the Secretary of State has approved our new name, making us the University of Greater Manchester.”
The rebranding comes as the University celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2025. The new name has been granted immediate approval by the Office for Students (OfS), the regulatory body overseeing higher education in England.
Prof. Holmes, who has led the University for two decades, emphasized the significance of the change, stating, “This is a historic moment for our university. From now on, you are staff and students of the University of Greater Manchester.” He reassured the community, saying, “While we embrace this new name, Bolton remains our home—our base where the University of Greater Manchester will continue to thrive.”
The name change has been wholeheartedly supported by the University’s governing body and past and present Presidents of the Students’ Union. An independent economic impact report commissioned earlier this year forecasts that the new name will significantly benefit the local economy, generating millions of pounds annually.
Prof. Holmes shared his pride in the institution, stating, “This is an institution that our students and staff can take immense pride in. The new name represents exciting developments for our students, the institution, and the local economy, as well as creating new job opportunities.”
Graduates from 2025 will receive degree certificates from the University of Greater Manchester, and existing graduates from the time the institution achieved university status in 2005 will be eligible for a replacement certificate featuring the new name.
The University’s off-campus partner in Sri Lanka, Study World Lanka Campus (SWLC), is also proud to share this news with students, staff, and regulatory bodies associated with the campus.
Study World Lanka Campus (SWLC)
SWLC is part of the esteemed Study World Education Holdings Group Ltd, based in Dubai, with campuses in Malta, India, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka. The organization specializes in providing transnational education worldwide.
SWLC is located in Nugegoda, Colombo, and was established in 2012 under the approval of the Board of Investment (BOI), SWLC offers high-quality higher education programs affiliated with the University of Greater Manchester. The campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that meet international educational standards.
SWLC provides a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Accountancy, and Computing. In April 2025, the campus will welcome its 17th batch of students, offering programs such as Civil and Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Business Management, Accountancy, and an MBA.
Why choose the University of Greater Manchester and SWLC?
SWLC offers one of the highest-ranked British degrees in Sri Lanka. The University of Greater Manchester consistently ranks among the top UK universities in major rankings, with particular recognition for its School of Engineering, Business, Accountancy, and IT. The University’s rankings reflect both student satisfaction and academic excellence, as evidenced by the Guardian University Guide 2024.
The University of Greater Manchester has been recognized for:
= No. 1 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2024.
= No. 1 in the North West (UK) for teaching quality, as per The Times and Sunday Times 2023.
= 30th overall ranking in the Guardian University Guide for 2024.
= Top-ranked UK University in Sri Lanka.
SWLC maintains a strong and supportive relationship with the University, ensuring high-quality education for Sri Lankan students. The campus provides professional counselling services from enrollment, peer mentoring by qualified academic coordinators, and access to extensive learning resources through the SWLC library and University of Greater Manchester’s e-resources.
Financial support
SWLC offers merit-based scholarships for eligible students, with additional scholarship opportunities for high-achieving students as they progress in their studies. The campus also provides easy payment options and can facilitate support for financial assistance.
For more details, contact Mr. Benstan Alex Fernando, Head of Admissions at Study World Lanka Campus on +94777 727 106 or [email protected]
