1962

Opens as a teacher training college with 70 students

On Tuesday 25 September 1962, the first students, 70 young men and women, arrived to register and start their studies at Christ Church, the first teacher training college established by the Church of England in the 20th century.

One of the first students, Hilary Hardcastle, who was the first Vice-President of the Students' Union, said about the cohort: "We have so many memories of teaching and learning together. Those days at Christ Church College were idyllic ones and they will be treasured by us always."

1962

First Principal - Dr Frederic Mason

The first Principal was the Reverend Dr Frederic Mason who retired in 1975.

1963

Phase one of North Holmes Campus build complete

1964

North Holmes Campus opened

The full campus site was finished and ready for occupation by September 1964. It was built in eight acres of St. Augustine Monastery's ground and gardens.

1971

First degree programme, Bachelor of Education, introduced

1975

Second Principal – Dr Michael Berry

Dr Michael Berry followed as the second Principal until retiring in September 1997.

1976

International programmes introduced

1978

College degrees awarded

College degrees were validated by the University of Kent.

1988

Student numbers hit 2,000

1989

First nursing related programme

The expansion into health with the first nursing related programme marked a significant change for the University. Christ Church is now a main provider of nursing courses, with 94% of the students in nursing roles 6 months after completing their course.

1993

Student numbers hit 6,000

1995

Degree Awarding Powers granted

The College was awarded the power by the Privy Council to grant its own degrees for taught courses. It is this power which entitled the College to become a University College and, in 1998, it was renamed Canterbury Christ Church University College.

1996

Salomons Campus opened

Christ Church bought Salomons, a late-Victorian mansion, situated in 38 acres of parkland, close to Tunbridge Wells.

1997

Student numbers hit 10,000

1997

Third Principal – Professor Michael Wright

Professor Michael Wright became the third Principal and then later, the first Vice-Chancellor.

1998

The Old Sessions House opened

In November the refurbished and extended Old Sessions House was opened providing a most impressive and spacious complex for professional education.

2000

Broadstairs Campus opened

In January 2000 our Broadstairs Campus added to our extensive network in Kent.

2002

Student numbers hit 14,000

2003

Hall Place opened

Hall Place, an imposing mansion on the edge of the city, was opened as our Centre for Enterprise and Business Development.

2004

Medway Campus opened

Christ Church joined the Universities at Medway partnership with Greenwich and Kent University. Rowan Williams Court is home to a wide range of specialist health facilities, including hospital wards, a paediatric and midwifery suite, operating theatre and suites for radiography and occupational therapy.

2005

University title awarded

University status was formally granted by the Privy Council allowing the University College to be known as Canterbury Christ Church University. The inauguration was marked by the installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury becoming the first Chancellor; the ceremony took place in Canterbury Cathedral.

2007

University Centre Folkestone opened

University Centre Folkestone joined our campus network, an intimate campus located in the heart of the Creative Quarter of Folkestone - a lively seaside town with a real creative buzz.

2009

Research Degree Awarding Powers granted

The University was given the right to award Research Degrees by the Privy Council.

2009

Augustine House opened

Augustine House, our multi-million pound, flagship library and student services centre opened in 2009. Augustine House is the brand new Library and Student Services Centre, offering students exciting spaces to work, learn and socialise.

2010

Professor Robin Baker, installed as Vice-Chancellor

Professor Robin Baker became Vice-Chancellor in September 2010, with his installation taking place in Canterbury Cathedral in February 2011.

2012 - Golden Jubilee year

Student numbers hit 20,000