The university's main building, Hatley Castle, was completed in 1908 for coal and rail baron James Dunsmuir, who was Lieutenant Governor and Premier of British Columbia during the first decade of the 1900s. At the outbreak of World War II, plans were made for King George VI, his wife Queen Elizabeth, and their two daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, to reside in Canada. Hatley Castle was purchased by the federal government in 1940 for use as the King's royal palace, however, it was decided that having the Royal Family leave the UK at a time of war would be too big a blow to morale, and the family stayed in London.
After the death of Dunsmuir and then his widow Laura, the family sold the estate to the federal government in 1940 to be used by the military. HMCS Royal Roads (named after an offshore naval anchorage) was commissioned in December 1940 to train reserve officers for service in World War II.
The institution had several names before it eventually became Royal Roads Military College in 1968 (achieving full degree-granting status in 1975). In 1995, the military college was closed and the land and facilities leased by the government of British Columbia then converted into Royal Roads University the same year. Royal Roads University maintains strong ties with the Canadian Forces.
Many of the academic staff stayed on when the university went public in 1995 and some still remain. Hatley Castle in the centre of the campus houses a small Canadian Military museum. Royal Road's graduate programs are targeted towards military personnel and other public servants. The alumni of Royal Roads Military College are considered alumni of Royal Roads University and are always invited by the university to participate in alumni events and the alumni network. Bob Skene, Royal Roads University Chancellor from 2003-2006 stated "As a national institution of higher learning, I believe we should be adopting and honouring our military legacy as an institution with 66 years of history"
Based on the 2008 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Royal Roads University was ranked 1st for an active and collaborative learning experience, 2nd for level of academic challenge, 4th for senior year student satisfaction, 5th for supportive campus environment, 28th for student-faculty interaction, and 37th for enriching educational experience. See MacLean's and Royal Roads media release. In 2009, again Royal Roads ranked 1st for active and collaborative learning experience; and 3rd of level of academic challenge.[29]
In 2008 the Globe and Mail Canadian University Report gave Royal Roads grades in particular categories along with 55 other universities. The grades are based on the Globe and Mail student satisfaction survey. Royal Roads was one of the 14 universities in the under 4000 students assessment pool and received the following grades:[30]
A: Class sizes; and campus atmosphere.
A-: Student-Faculty interaction, Ease of course registration, Student services, Libraries; and Campus technology.
B+: Quality of Education, Quality of Teaching, Recreation/Athletics, Buildings and facilities; and Academic reputation.
B: Courses availability/variety.
C+: Career preparation.
C-: Extracurricular activities.
D: Food Service, Student Residence; and Campus Pubs/Bars.
B+: Overall Average of Student Satisfaction
In the 2009 Globe and Mail Canadian University Report Royal Roads received and overall average of A-.[31] For a detailed break down of grades see past footnote.