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Full university title and beyond

In December 2012 Harper Adams was award full university title. Dr David Llewellyn took the title Vice-Chancellor in line with the academic and administrative heads of most other UK universities. Significant investment has continued in to the campus, and Harper was named Modern University of the Year 2017 in the Times Good University Guide 2016, and Whatuni Awards 2016 University of the Year.

Moving into the 21^st Century

Principal Wynne Jones (1996 to 2009) had the task of steering the College into the twenty-first century. Harper Adams evolved along with the industry that it serves, with a wide portfolio of courses including a raft of masters' programmes. Since 1998 Harper Adams has been officially recognised as University College.

Significant investment was made in learning and teaching resources. The Bamford Library opened in the 2003/04 academic year, and in June 2004, HRH The Princess Royal opened the newly refurbished teaching accommodation in the Foulkes-Crowther Building. Research was a real growth area and increasingly, it was undertaken by postgraduate students. The Privy Council granted Harper Adams Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAP) in 2006.

The 1960s

Further changes at the College took place in the 1960s, under Principal Reginald Kenney (1962-77), including the opening of the Queen Mother Hall and Bradford and Ward Halls in the early 1960s. Boughey Hall, a modern teaching block with library, and a students' union building followed. In 1964 responsibility for funding the College passed from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Department of Education and Science, bringing with it tighter financial control. Government concern to expand opportunities in Higher Education and to raise the standard of national qualifications in agricultural education led to the introduction of the Higher National Diploma (HND) with its sandwich period. The first students enrolled for the HND in 1969. In 1969-70 student numbers rose to over 300 for the first time.

Second World War

The College remained open for both agricultural and poultry courses throughout the Second World War. By 1943-44 the College had run into problems of over demand (farming and being a student were both reserved occupations at this time). Strict rules as regards deferment led to a general raising of entry requirements and a subsequent demand for higher qualifications.

First World War

Harper Adams remained open throughout the First World War, fulfilling important duties such as the training of disabled soldiers, primarily in poultry husbandry. In April 1915 the College was significantly the first institution to provide courses for women in wartime farm work. In 1916, for the first time women enrolled at Harper Adams on full-time courses and were to remain until after the Second World War when priority of places went to discharged men. The College was also instrumental in providing a wide range of wartime services, such as courses in tractor driving.

1901 Harper Adams College opens

The College opened to six students in April 1901. The College consisted of the Main Building and a 178 acre farm on its doorstep, along with the family farmhouse, Ancellor House. In these early years the College, under the Principal Hedworth Foulkes (1901-22), offered certificate courses very much of a practical nature.