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Schumacher College: Our history & ethos

about us

Schumacher College is an progressive college for ecological studies offering masters programmes, a new undergraduate programme in Regenerative Food and Farming, short courses and a 6-month agroecology residency.

The College has a sustained history as a trailblazer in ecological learning founded on the principles of our need to find new ways of living that put people and the planet first, inspired by the economist E. F. Schumacher, author of Small Is Beautiful. 

We focus on interactive education methods to help our students and community members develop practical skills and strategic thinking required to face 21st century challenges. Students work together in small groups which embrace the learning principles of head, hand, heart. Many of our courses feature guest teachers who are world-renowned thinkers, activists and practioners.

We are a vegetarian college and we continually strive to be as self-sufficient as possible. At present we grow almost 50% of the food we eat, the rest we source as locally as possible. All students and staff are involved with cooking, cleaning and gardening which helps to foster a sense of community and is a great opportunity to mix with all members of the College.

Students and staff mingle at our annual harvest lunch

our people

Meet the brilliant academic and professional staff who make the College what it is today.

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Small IS BEautiful
E.F. Schumacher

A programme of events and initiatives, spearheaded by our Bursary Campaign, which aims to equip the next generation with the tools to address the social, environmental and economic challenges we all face. (Opens in new website)

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satish and students

History of Schumacher College

In 1991 Satish Kumar launched Schumacher College, an ecological centre that was to offer a different kind of education. It began with a small short course on Gaia Theory led by James Lovelock.

Soon it was attracting leading thinkers and activists from around the world including Vandana Shiva, Jonathan Porritt, Charlene Spretnak, George Monbiot, Helena Norberg Hodge and many more.

Satish Kumar
Satish Kumar

More content to follow.

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Regenerative Food and Farming

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Ecological Design Thinking

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Movement, Mind and Ecology

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Regenerative Economics

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Regenerative Food, Farming and Enterprise

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Arts and Place

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Poetics of Imagination

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Transformative Education

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Engaged Ecology

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