Arcadia University

Arcadia University is a private university based in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

The university’s history began in 1853 when it was founded as Beaver Female Seminary, for the education of local young women. In 1872, it gained collegiate status, was renamed Beaver College, and began to admit male students.

In 1928, Beaver College acquired the Harrison estate, including the Grey Towers Castle around which the university is based today. The nineteenth century castle – which embodies a fusion of architectural periods and styles – is a National Historic Landmark.

Arcadia University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 65 areas of study across its College of Arts & Sciences, College of Health Sciences, School of Education and School of Global Business. There is a large range of courses available, from Forensic Archaeology to Metals and Jewelry.

The university promises to be ‘Global. Integrative. Personal’. An Arcadia education may be highly personalised: some students choose to mix and match courses on campus and abroad to create their individual major program. Arcadia University values ‘out-of-classroom learning’, with internships, field study and global programs.

Arcadia University and its programs are known for their international outlook. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the US for its study abroad programs. Student education abroad is supported by an international network of nine centres and six virtual centres across Europe, Africa, Australasia and South America. Arcadia also runs programs for students in over 300 other universities around the world.

The student population is still predominantly female, and most students live on campus, including in the iconic Grey Towers Castle. There are more than 50 student organisations, and a range of men’s and women’s sports teams. Arcadia students are known as ‘Knights’.