Principally a centre for Teacher Training, the institution later broadened by offering a range of higher education courses validated by the now defunct Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA).

Finding itself facing extreme financial pressure as part of a national education funding squeeze at the latter days of the Thatcher government (under Keith Joseph, Kenneth Baker, and others), the future of the college (and others in a similar position) then became doubtful.

Principal Brian Palmer led a widespread study of all available options (including a drastic cutback of its expanded provision) and after these had been fully investigated, Bulmershe then merged with the University of Reading in 1989.

Reading moved all teaching and research at Bulmershe either to Whiteknights or to London Road by 2011/12, having invested in new buildings several years previously, and closed the student accommodation.

[citation needed] The American Studies programme ran a regular exchange with students in America's Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

[citation needed] The college also housed a permanent writer-in-residence, Sue Krisman, author of 'Ducks and Drakes', who ran courses for students in creative writing.

And the weekly freesheet 'Bulletin', edited and produced by the Student Union (and at one stage by TV writer and Dr Who author Colin Brake), kept everyone up-to-date with news, events and gossip.

In addition, the official College Production, directed by a member of staff, was mounted yearly, with cast and crew consisting of all students who volunteered to play a part.

Secondly, regular Students Balls were held throughout the academic year, principally for Freshers, at Christmas, for Valentine's Day, Rag Week, and in the Summer.

[citation needed] Artists were many and varied, with soul legend Geno Washington performing, and at one stage included Cockney Rebel and Dr Feelgood in the 1970s and pop band Erasure, who played at Bulmershe in the run up to their big charts successes in the 1980s.

A sustained and organised campaign led to significant success in the elections for the 1984–85 Executive Committee but this was then challenged during proposals to donate union monies to the striking miners.

[citation needed] The first revolved around the annual Christmas revue show called Big Als, which at one stage fell foul of a serious allegation of homophobia.

The well-established brash and bawdy event suddenly became a catalyst for the differences that existed between the sporting community, who owned the show, and the drama students who were, by their nature, responsible for every other performance at the college except this one.