The collection, which now contains over 800 works, was begun when the University opened in 1965. It is particularly strong in paintings from the 1960s and 1970s, including works by Jack Bush, Gene Davis, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost, John Hoyland and Albert Irvin. Later acquisitions include works by Thérèse Oulton, Estelle Thompson, Callum Innes, Ian McKeever and George Shaw.