About us

In 1978, the first non-teacher training degrees were offered and validated by the University of Kent. Students were able to take subjects from the BEd in two subject combinations. This became known as the ‘BA/BSc Scheme’, a flexible, joint honours structure which is still offered today.

In addition to the subjects above, History and Educational Studies were introduced. BA/BSc students were taught by existing staff from the BEd programmes and, after the Cert Ed was discontinued, all programmes were degree level.

In the early 1980s, in-service courses were provided for teachers, including the College’s first MAs in Psychology of Education and in Curriculum Studies.

In 1982, the College took over Radio, Film and TV Studies from Stockwell College which was closing down. This was the first subject completely separate from the former education programmes.

In the late 1980s, schools of nursing were brought into the education sector and the College became a centre for health education. New buildings were erected to accommodate the teaching of Occupational Therapy, Radiography and Nursing and Midwifery.

All health programmes were initially Diplomas, but the College developed England’s first degree in OT. Radiography was soon offered to degree level and Nursing programmes were added in the late 1980s.

In 1988, Business Studies, IT and Tourism were added to the BA/BSc scheme and the College’s student numbers reached 1,500.

In 1995 the Salomons Centre was acquired by the College from the NHS. The Centre in Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells is housed in a substantial mansion, set in parkland. It includes a health and social care management consultancy and a postgraduate school for clinical psychology.

The mid 1990s saw substantial growth. By 1995, there were 7,500 students, a five-fold increase since 1988. This reflected growth in the BA/BSc scheme, in Health particularly Nursing, and some growth in Education. The College had reached a balance between Education, Health and the other subject areas, and between full-time and part-time students. This balance has been broadly sustained.

In 1995 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.

From 1996, the BA/BSc scheme was made more flexible by allowing major/minor combinations, and an increasing number of subjects were offered as single honours. New subjects have been added at the rate of one per year.

As Principal for 22 years, Michael Berry had led the College through impressive development and expansion. He retired in September 1997 and Professor Michael Wright became Canterbury Christ Church’s third Principal.