College University of Birmingham

Mason College of Science opened in 1880. At the inauguration of the new building in 1883, specific mention was made about the admission of women  

Special interest was felt in the inauguration of the building on account of a feature which distinguishes it from any other Science College — namely, that it is open to women on exactly the same terms as men. All who have watched this experiment, if such it may be called, must be satisfied with the entirely successful way it has worked.88 

In fact, according to the 1884-1885 Mason Science College Calendar, in the 1882-1883 session, the enrolment was 229 male and 137 female. 

There was a sense of community among the women as they could meet in the Ladies Common Room, as was described in 1899 The liveliest time in the Common Room is between the 

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