Invincible Musical Higher Ed – unis named after bands and vice versa – The Wonderful (& Frightening) World of HE

Invincible Musical Higher Ed – unis named after bands and vice versa

Following the loss of legendary film-maker David Lynch it seems that a distinctive educational venture will not now happen. But there are still plenty of of other HE institutions named after musicians. And the good news is I have compiled my personal Top 50 of them.

January 30, 2025

2–3 minutes

bands, bands named after unis, league table, music

Following the sad passing of legendary film-maker David Lynch I fear that not only will we all be missing out on remarkable and strange movies but one distinctive educational venture will not see the light of day.

Way back in 2007, the Guardian reported that Donovan, notable 60s folk icon, was working with Lynch to develop a bold new higher education project, the modestly titled Invincible Donovan University:

The Invincible Donovan University will provide the traditional university subjects, but students will also undergo training in transcendental meditation – the technique practised by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and popularised by the Beatles. Donovan, whose hits include Hurdy Gurdy Man and Mellow Yellow, said he would open the university in either Glasgow or Edinburgh, bringing the hippy dream of world peace to his home country of Scotland.

Disappointingly, the institution does not seem to have made it off the ground yet and, without the support of Lynch, it is possible it may never happen now I guess. The barriers to entry for bold new higher education innovations like this remain high, despite the liberating intentions of the Higher Education Research Act 2017, and even if things were to progress the Office for Students is not taking applications at present.

Still, it would be a just outstanding title for a university, all the better for incorporating the name of a major musical artiste. We have of course recently shared an update on the up and coming bands in higher education.

Tips for the Top in Rock ‘n’ Roll Higher Ed

It now seems timely therefore to revisit the essential list of institutions which were either named after bands or perhaps provided the inspiration for the naming of popular beat combos. Here then is my personal top 50 of this kind of thing: