Christ Church opened its doors as a teacher training college in response to a national shortage of Church of England school teachers. The college had just 75 students and nine teachers, and the Principal was Dr Frederic Mason
Moved to the purpose-built North Holmes Road site
HRH Queen Elizabeth II visited our Canterbury Campus on Maundy Thursday in a special visit to the city.
First degree programme, Bachelor of Education, introduced
Dr Michael Berry appointed Principal, until retiring in 1997.
First non-teacher training degrees were launched, initially a BA English with Religious Studies, followed by an MSc in Physics and Education and a Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
Introduced first non-teacher education course in Radio, Film and Television (RFTV)
Mastermind filmed at Christ Church
The first health-related professional courses began, beginning with a three-year diploma in Occupational Therapy.
College reaches 1,500 students.
School of Nursing incorporated into the College from a merger of Canterbury and Thanet School of Nursing with the SE Kent Schools of Nursing and Midwifery
Awarded the power to grant our own degrees for taught courses, and with it came the name change to Canterbury Christ Church University College
Took over Salomons Centre, near Tunbridge Wells, from the NHS and created a centre for postgraduate and professional study in West Kent
Professor Michael Wright appointed Principal (and later Vice-Chancellor)
Broadstairs Campus formally opened by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey. Broadstairs Campus closed in 2018
Medway Campus opened by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the Universities at Medway site
Opened the Sidney Cooper Gallery, named after a popular 19th century Kentish artist
Awarded full university title by the Privy Council; inauguration of Canterbury Christ Church University and the installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury as Chancellor.
Folkestone Campus officially opened by the Rt Hon Michael Howard MP. Creative courses subsequently moved to the Canterbury campus in 2013
Christ Church Sports Centre opened by the Canterbury Campus
Granted the power to award research degrees, such as PhDs
Augustine House, our award-winning library and student services centre, opened in Canterbury
Dr Robin Baker appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Became Partner and Principal Sponsor of Canterbury Festival
Began annual sponsorship of KM Teacher of the Year awards
Opening of St George’s Centre, St Gregory’s Centre for Music, and Maxwell Davies building.
Celebrated our 50-year anniversary
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University
Professor Rama Thirunamachandran appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal
The former Canterbury Prison site purchased by the University as part of an ambitious redevelopment plan for the Canterbury Campus
Opened a cutting-edge industry liaison laboratory at Discovery Park, Sandwich
A partnership vision for a new and exciting STEM education in the region starts to take shape. This would lead to the creation of the University’s Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth and Engineering (EDGE) Hub and the opening of the £65m Verena Holmes STEM building
Opened the Institute of Medical Science on our Medway Campus
Started sponsoring Pride Canterbury
Opened Daphne Oram building – a stunning creative arts facility opened by Chair of the Arts Council Sir Nicholas Serota
Opened the Kent and Medway Medical School, the first in the region, in partnership with the University of Kent.
Opened Verena Holmes Building – a new £65 million STEM facility helping to generate skilled graduates for STEM industries in the South East
Our 60-year anniversary. Join our Diamond Jubilee celebrations.