Brunel University London is a public research university located in Uxbridge, West London, England. Founded in 1966, it was named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Brunel has over 12,000 students and 2,500 staff, and is organised into three colleges and four main academic departments. College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences (EDPS), College of Health and Life Sciences (HLS), and Brunel Business School (BBS). EDPS houses the majority of Brunel’s engineering disciplines including mechanical engineering, civil engineering & construction management, design & product design, materials science & metallurgy; HLS includes the Schools of Sport & Education Studies as well as Health Sciences; BBS comprises accounting & finance, economics & international business. The main campus is located on Grange Road next to Uxbridge town centre in Greater London with a second site at Runnymede near Egham in Surrey.
The university has its origins in Acton Technical Institute which was established in Acton-in-the-Elms on 4 January 1862 by Augustus Siebe. The institute was designed to provide technical education for “working men” with classes held during evenings and weekends. In September 1864 the institute moved to new premises at 49/51 High Street which had been purpose-built by local builder Thomas Jones. Here Henry Overton Wills III became its principal benefactor giving £5000 towards its purchase – an extremely large sum at that time. Wills died just two years later aged 57 leaving his estate valued at £134000 (£20 million today). Following this generous bequest further funds were raised from other donors including Sir John Pender who donated £100000 making it possible for further expansion. These donations resulted in a move to No 1 Paddington Green followed by another move to 142 Regent Street both locations being close to major railway stations making them highly accessible for evening students attending classes from all over London.