Our University started out as a teacher training college in the 1960s in response to a national shortage of teachers. Today we continue to shape our courses and research around critical social issues both nationally and globally.
Since opening, we are proud to have supported thousands of students and graduates in achieving their individual potential, injecting talent and knowledge into the economy and helping communities flourish.
In 2022, we celebrated our Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of making a positive difference to people’s lives, through our education, research, and innovation.
Canterbury Christ Church University
1960s
1962
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
1964
Moved to the purpose-built North Holmes Road site
1965
HRH Queen Elizabeth II visited our Canterbury Campus on Maundy Thursday in a special visit to the city.
1970s
Early 1970s
First degree programme, Bachelor of Education, introduced
1975
Dr Michael Berry appointed Principal, until retiring in 1997.
1976
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)
1980s
1980
Introduced first non-teacher education course in Radio, Film and Television (RFTV)
1983
Mastermind filmed at Christ Church
1987
The first health-related professional courses began, beginning with a three-year diploma in Occupational Therapy.
1988
College reaches 1,500 students.
1989
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
1990s
1995
Awarded the power to grant our own degrees for taught courses, and with it came the name change to Canterbury Christ Church University College
1996
Took over Salomons Centre, near Tunbridge Wells, from the NHS and created a centre for postgraduate and professional study in West Kent
1997
Professor Michael Wright appointed Principal (and later Vice-Chancellor)
2000s
2000
Broadstairs Campus formally opened by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey. Broadstairs Campus closed in 2018
2004
Medway Campus opened by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the Universities at Medway site
2004
Opened the Sidney Cooper Gallery, named after a popular 19th century Kentish artist
2005
Awarded full university title by the Privy Council; inauguration of Canterbury Christ Church University and the installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury as Chancellor.
2008
Folkestone Campus officially opened by the Rt Hon Michael Howard MP. Creative courses subsequently moved to the Canterbury campus in 2013
May 2009
Christ Church Sports Centre opened by the Canterbury Campus
August 2009
Granted the power to award research degrees, such as PhDs
September 2009
Augustine House, our award-winning library and student services centre, opened in Canterbury
2010s
2010
Dr Robin Baker appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal
2010
Became Partner and Principal Sponsor of Canterbury Festival
2010
Began annual sponsorship of KM Teacher of the Year awards
2012
Opening of St George’s Centre, St Gregory’s Centre for Music, and Maxwell Davies building.
2012
Celebrated our 50-year anniversary
2013
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University
2013
Professor Rama Thirunamachandran appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal
2014
The former Canterbury Prison site purchased by the University as part of an ambitious redevelopment plan for the Canterbury Campus
2015
Opened a cutting-edge industry liaison laboratory at Discovery Park, Sandwich
2015
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
2016
Opened the Institute of Medical Science on our Medway Campus
2018
Started sponsoring Pride Canterbury
2019
Opened Daphne Oram building – a stunning creative arts facility opened by Chair of the Arts Council Sir Nicholas Serota
2020s
2020
Opened the Kent and Medway Medical School, the first in the region, in partnership with the University of Kent.
January 2021
Opened Verena Holmes Building – a new £65 million STEM facility helping to generate skilled graduates for STEM industries in the South East
2022
Our 60-year anniversary. Join our Diamond Jubilee celebrations.