Music and higher education have a long and close association. As previous posts here have noted there are some big bands everyone associates with universities as well as some forgotten ones (and some other even less well-remembered outfits).
Also, in terms of the top Higher Ed songs we have Vice-Chancellor Desert Island Discs and, of course, your top Teaching Excellence Framework playlist.
But let’s not forget those universities which were either named after bands or perhaps provided the inspiration for the naming of popular beat combos:
- Rush University
- Emerson College
- (James) Brown U
- Genesis University
- Yes Academy
- Kean(e) University
- Queen’s University (Belfast or Canada)
- University of (John) Denver
- Asia University
- Université de Saint-Etienne
- University of (Whitney) Houston
- Boston University
- (Leonard) Cohen University
- (Lou) Reed College
- Hatfield (and the North) Polytechnic (as was)
- University of Chicago
- Focus University (NB not actually a university)
- Bowie State University
- (Dionne) Warwick University
- Drake University
- Ottawa(n) University
- Madonna University
- (David) Essex University
- University of Texas
- Abba University (no really, but seems to have gone a bit quiet lately judging by its Facebook page)
- (Dusty) Springfield College
- (And, of course, Frankie goes to) Digital Hollywood University in Japan
- Kansas State and University of Kansas (Ed.)
- Prince(ton) University (No? Ed.)
- (Wu-Tang) UCLAN (This is getting a bit silly… Ed.)
And, finally, there is the Invincible Donovan University. However, this is sadly yet to happen. Following a big announcement back in 2007 everyone is still waiting for the first courses to be offered.
There does seem to be a bit of a prog rock bias there. I’m still hoping to stumble across The Fall University, Buzzcocks College and University of the Damned. Have I missed any others?
Just realised I unaccountably omitted the Slade (Slade School of Fine Art at UCL). An appalling oversight for which I apologise.
These additions kindly provided on Twitter:
University of Slipiknottingham via @BrilliantClub
Air University (Pakistan). Alice (Cooper) Lloyd College. Buena Vista (Social Club) Uni. Bryan (Adams) College courtesy of @BenVerinder
Nazareth College, Hendrix College, National Film and _Television_ School – thanks to @PhilPurnell
Not a band, but Aarhus University is in the middle of our street. There’s always something happening and it’s usually quite loud. Thank you for that @Cash4Questions
Not forgetting (I had) the low profile but big named outfit, Glasgow (thanks @black_dug )
And Swedish rockers, Kent, we were reminded by @RowlstoneS
Skid(s)more College too (me)
A few more late additions
(Sus)sex pistols, New(Castle) Order, (Jilted) John(s) Hopkins all via @Wuchereria1
U2CLAN, (Michael) Bolton U, Guns n’ Rose(s) Bruford College, (Terence Trent) Derby University, Kings (College) of Leon, Empire of the Sun(derland) University The Beautiful South(ampton), all from @JoanHolloway101
@LindaAnneEast had Nottingham (Terence) Trent (D’Arby) University, St (Julie) Andrews (also from @AcadRegUK )
And we also had the institution that is The THE from @SamWeirHE
University of Regina (Spektor)
Sorbonnie Tyler
Excellent!
Keele-ing Joke? (I’ll just get me coat)
A few more…
(Liverpool) Hope
King (‘s College London)
(St) Andrews Sisters
The (Notting) Hamsters
Lincoln Park (Linkin Park)
Stone Roses (Bruford)
The Tee(s) Party
SO(A)S Band
East (London) 17
Jesus and (Queen) Mary Chain
(University College) Cork
Great work there Ian. Particularly impressed with SO(A)S Band and East (London) 17!
ouch!
(Didn’t We Have A Lovely Day The Day We Went To) Bangor University