Maryvale Institute specialises in part-time and distance learning courses in theology, religious education, philosophy, catechesis and evangelization. Focusing especially on adults - teachers, catechists, lay people, religious and clergy - this Institute is the first in the United Kingdom to offer courses in Catholic Theology on the Open University model with short residential schools. The courses which involve people from all over the British Isles and further afield are at different levels: from sixth form studies and adult continuing education to B.A., M.A. and Research Degrees. The Institute offers training courses for lay ministers, catechists, the permanent diaconate, and in evangelization, parenting and basic skills.

Formed in 1968 by the Catholic Education Service to train teachers Newman University College has expanded into a range of other areas including traditional single and joint honours degrees and the more recent foundation degrees, however the founding principles of supporting students and providing opportunity to all continue to affect everything the College does.

Situated on the outskirts of South West Birmingham Newman’s campus is based in Bartley Green, some 8 miles from the city centre and overlooks Bartley reservoir and the Worcestershire countryside beyond.  Its location makes it convenient for access to both the M5 and M42 motorways.

As a small Higher Education Institution Newman is committed to providing excellent student support and welcoming new students into our friendly community.  Class sizes are small and lecturers are able to give students greater individual support.  Newman’s history and reputation for teacher training ensures that lecturers understand the importance of teaching, and enabling a quality learning experience for students.

Ensuring the degrees offered at Newman are relevant to the modern world is also a key feature at Newman.  All full-time degrees have a work placement module and a key part of the curriculum is developing transferable skills useful for further study or employment after graduation.  We believe this is why Newman consistently has one of the best graduate employment rates of UK colleges and universities.

Newman University  College is named after John Henry Newman (1801-90), one of the intellectual giants of the 19^th century. His life was marked by a constant struggle for integrity and truth at considerable cost to himself. Newman was an extraordinary thinker whose creative and lively mind engaged with the process by which men and women come to knowledge and truth. His explorations of the human intellectual and spiritual journey anticipate much of the contemporary work on multiple modes of intelligence and understanding that underpin the way we learn and teach at Newman. In his famous lectures The Idea of the University Defined and Illustrated he emphasised the main role of the university to train the mind rather than to diffuse useful knowledge. To this end he developed the tutorial system which again we use to good effect here at Newman. A deeply spiritual man he was always available to the people of Birmingham, rich and poor, who came to him for advice and instruction. When he died the streets of Birmingham were lined with thousands whose lives he had touched and inspired. He died a Cardinal of the Catholic Church, honoured internationally, but it is his ability to touch and enlighten the hearts of so many, from so many different walks of life , that make him such a fitting patron for our College and its mission in contemporary British society

Newman’s mission is centred around the Catholic values of tolerance and inclusion. An impressive octagonal Catholic chapel is situated at the centre of the campus.  As a catholic College Newman is proud to welcome staff and students of all religions and backgrounds.