De Montfort University began life as a simple idea, “to afford authoritative instruction in art to the people of Leicester”. By March 1870, the first classes were held in a former warehouse. Men and women from the gentry were taught during the day, while workers came to evening classes.
From those small beginnings, DMU has grown to a global institution with 26,000 students and 2,600 staff.
Over the years DMU has had many different incarnations – as the Leicester School of Art, Leicester Polytechnic, Leicester College of Art and Leicester College of Technology, but we have never lost our pride in being part of the vibrant city of Leicester.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, we were busy planning a series of public events including talks, displays, workshops, concerts and art exhibitions to mark our anniversary year. Now we're moving a lot of the celebrations online so everyone can still enjoy and be part of our milestone year.
Whether you have been a student, a lecturer, worked in the factories which used to be on campus, or were even one of the untold number of music fans who saw gigs here down the decades, we want you to be part of our 150th year.