OUR HISTORY
A LONG AND PROUD HERITAGE
The beginning
In late 1918, Britain was recovering from four years of the First World War. As society rebuilt itself, there were calls for improved building standards and living conditions, including for city slums to be replaced with better quality housing. Prime Minister David Lloyd George famously called for ‘homes fit for heroes’. It was out of this context that in 1918, Sir William Wells – a respected leader in the profession – proposed the establishment of a College of Estate Management. In 1919, CEM was established.
35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
The College of Estate Management’s first permanent home was at 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which CEM inhabited from its purchase in 1921 until the Second World War.
Upon purchasing the property, CEM needed to remodel the interior in order to make the building suitable for its new educational purpose. This included removing an exquisite wrought iron staircase and balustrade, made in 1754 or earlier, in an intricate style akin to famous French Huguenot ironworker Jean Tijou. In order to preserve the staircase, The College of Estate Management gifted it to the nation. On February 25th 1921, the piece was donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it has been on display ever since.
To this day, you can view this artefact in room 54 of the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington.
World War II
With a history of educating service personnel, when war broke out in 1939, The College of Estate Management delivered correspondence courses to over 13,000 servicemen at home and abroad.
The college also worked with the British Red Cross to deliver courses to British servicemen being kept as Prisoners of War (POWs) across Europe. Educational institutions across Britain sent study materials and organised for POWs to sit examinations while in captivity. At POW camps in Germany, the Netherlands and, briefly, Italy, POWs were able to start, or continue with, their studies. This scheme provided prisoners with an intellectual stimulus and, at some camps, groups of POWs worked together to teach each other – and nicknamed them ‘barbed wire universities’.
UCEM’s centenary board
This interactive board was created in celebration of UCEM’s centenary year. Have a look through to find out more about UCEM’s heritage.
Good luck for the next 100 years! Think what’s been achieved through the ups and downs of the last century- and the many ways that CEM/UCEM has adapted and thrived despite testing times- and know that there will be exciting times ahead.
Ann Heywood
“Utilise all resources, don’t be afraid to ask questions. I made a career change and I am loving the journey I am on! Nobody comes to work to do a bad job, as long as you do your best that’s the main thing.”
Rebecca Turner
Happy birthday UCEM. This apprenticeship is and will be a life changing experience for myself and I am grateful for all the support I have received. Thank you.
Rebecca Turner
“Stay curious! The best part of learning is falling down a ‘rabbit hole’ of knowledge.”
Bex Gibson
Happy centenary! Here’s to the next century of UCEM! 😊
Bex Gibson
“To have passion and consistency for this industry toward building a better future also save our heritage structures.”
Sina Antonio Talaei
Happy 100 years old UCEM. It’s an honour to be a member of your team. Wish you all the best!
Sina Antonio Talaei
“UCEM is the source of knowledge for construction sector.”
Muluken Belete Woldie
Happy birthday UCEM well done!
Muluken Belete Woldie
“Only do work that you find fulfilling and enjoy.”
John Charles Edgcumbe
The College became eventually UCEM and I wish it another century of helping students in the Property Industry.
John Charles Edgcumbe
““Chase down those opportunities; whenever and wherever they present themselves. None of us know what’s coming next. We just need to be alive to the opportunities; open minded and prepared to grab them with both hands.”
Dame Alison Nimmo DBE, CEO, The Crown Estate and winner of the UCEM Property Award 2018
It’s worked well for 100 years so don’t change everything. Some of the good bits are worth keeping.
Jan Wilcox
“I have always had the highest admiration for UCEM students. To undertake a full degree, distant taught, requires a level of self-discipline that I would struggle to muster, particularly when juggling all the other demands in their lives. However, it instils an approach to education current students should foster for life. The next 100 years is only going to change more than ever. An open mind towards education and training will be a valuable tool.”
Andrew Marston
It is wonderful to see UCEM celebrate it’s centenary, particularly given some of the challenges I know it has gone through, particularly over the past 20 years or so. It is now a very different entity to the one I worked in and is going from strength-to-strength. Wish UCEM, its staff and students, all the best as it begins its second century.
Andrew Marston
“The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. It is not just about getting good grades but about expanding the knowledge base, and contacts, that you will rely on throughout your future careers,”
Jan Wilcox
Forever young and energetic, UCEM Happy 100th Birthday!
Shing Kwong Eric Cheng
Develop a thirst for knowledge and ensure you are always on some course or another – it will never be wasted and is an excellent investment for the future. The internet offers boundless opportunities.
George Demetri
Happy Birthday UCEM! Even as a distance learner I feel part of a very exclusive family and I am so proud to have been a student.
Sara Kelleher
Anticipation and preparation help make the most of life’s opportunities.
Lawrence Parnell
Always look up to meet the challenge. UCEM can lend you a helping hand.
Shing Kwong Eric Cheng
Plan! Make sure you plan your time. I used to use Excel with the dates of exams and assignments on and make sure I gave myself plenty of time! Also make full use of forums. They are there to give you direct access to the experts.
Sara Kelleher
Congratulations UCEM, here’s to the next 100 years – by which time the conservationists of tomorrow will be preserving what we build today!
George Demetri
Happy birthday UCEM, here’s to another 100 years.
Andy Dodson
Stick with it, it’s worth it.
Andy Dodson