College of Science and Arts

Royal College of Science and Technology

"The Tech"
The eastern side of the 1912 Royal College building on Montrose Street.
Former names	Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College
Active	1887–1964 - Merged with Scottish College of Commerce to form the University of Strathclyde
Location	Glasgow, Scotland

The Royal College of Science and Technology was the principal predecessor institution of the University of Strathclyde, and now serves as one of the main educational buildings of the University of Strathclyde.

Originally the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, The Royal College of Science and Technology was formed in 1887. Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College was formed through the amalgamation of Anderson's College, the College of Science and Arts, Allan Glen's Institution, the Young Chair of Technical Chemistry and Atkinson's Institution. Because of the ever-increasing number of students attending the college, larger premises became necessary. Work to expand the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College building began in 1903, taking nine years to complete. At that time, it was the largest single educational complex in Europe.

After seeking permission from King George V in 1912 the College changed its name to the Royal Technical College. In 1956 there was another change of name for the College and it became the Royal College of Science and Technology.

The late 1950s also saw a major expansion of the Royal College's campus onto the northern side of the original 1903 building, beginning with the new Mechanical Engineering building in 1958 on Montrose Street (subsequently named as the James Weir Building), and in 1962 a new Chemistry Building (later named for the College's famous alumnus Thomas Graham). A new Student's Union was built in 1959 on John Street. All four buildings form what is now known as the "Island Site", and have undergone major renovations in recent years. In 1961 the Royal College entered into an agreement with Glasgow Corporation to jointly redevelop the adjacent Richmond Street site which had recently been cleared of its slum housing. The development would give the College a new home for the Andersonian Library - the McCance Building - and ultimately the merged University of Strathclyde would take possession of this entire development which included the 13-storey Livingstone Tower in 1965.

In 1959, renowned physicist Sir Samuel Curran took up the position of principal of the Royal College of Science and Technology, and following extensive discussions with Sir Keith Murray (chairman of the University Grants Committee), the College was granted full university status in 1964 as the University of Strathclyde. Curran was appointed its first Principal and Vice-Chancellor. This was the first new university in Scotland for 381 years and the first technological university in Britain, thus initiating the trend of formation of modern technical universities in Britain. Sir Samuel remained at the university until retirement in 1980 - the replacement building for the Andersonian Library opened that year was named in his honour.