Many of Britain's great colleges and universities go back to the 14th century and can hardly be called "Victorian." However, the Victorian era also saw the launch of a variety of newer colleges, often focusing on a specialized subject (such as music), or on offering college material to the "common people." London's Polytechnic, for example, opened in 1882 and offered a vast range of classes, including instruction in a host of trades, to people of all social classes. This period also saw the launch of evening colleges and evening classes offered by more traditional colleges - an indication that education was no longer just for the privileged, but also for those who had to work for a living!

How the "Upper Classes" Are Educated in England (Godey's, 1868)

Education at Kings College, London (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1875)

Non-Collegiate Students at Cambridge (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1875)

The Non-Collegiate Student at Oxford (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1875)

Degrees at London University (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

Popular Science Schools and Classes (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1877)

Winter Sessions at the London Colleges (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1877)

Two New Universities (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

Victoria University and the Royal University of Ireland.

The Victoria University (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1881)

Education for Women at Oxford (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

Cavendish College, Cambridge (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1885)

London Polytechnics and People's Palaces, by Albert Shaw (Century Magazine, 1890B)

London's "People's Palace" was inspired by a novel by Sir Walter Besant, and was designed for the entertainment and education of the people of London's East End. The building included a library, theatre, gardens, gymnasium, classrooms, swimming baths, etc., and hosted a variety of entertainments. (By the way, this may be the only place online where you can get this 20-page article free - someone's actually charging $10 for this on Amazon!)

Winchester College: School Recollections, by Frederick Gale (English Illustrated Magazine, 1890A)

Athletic Sports at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, by Montague Shearman (Oxford) and R.W. Turner (Cambridge) (English Illustrated Magazine, 1892A)

How a Woman's College Began, by Helen Gladstone (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

On the founding of Newnham College.

Trinity College, Dublin, by W.R. Scott (English Illustrated Magazine, 1892A)

The Birkbeck Institute: The Story of London's Evening University, by Fred A. McKenzie (Windsor Magazine, 1898A)

Presentation Day at London University, by a Lady Graduate (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

The Regent Street Polytechnic: England's Largest Educational Institute, by Fred A. McKenzie (Windsor Magazine, 1898B)

"...one of the most potent of the forces making for a transformed London. It is not only the largest of all educational institutions, but has brought about a new departure in industrial teaching..." It has over 15,000 members and students, and "aims to cater for the whole man, intellectually, industrially, morally and physically." The author regards it as more in the style of an American university than a European one.

See also

• College Life

• All About Oxford