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

Archbishop of Canterbury and Dr Frederick Mason (1964)
Article in the local press regarding the opening of the College. Archbishop of Canterbury (centre) and Dr Frederick Mason (left)

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

Graham Hogben Cert Ed. student of 1969 - 72 in his room at College
Graham Hogben Cert Ed. student of 1969 - 72 in his room at College. Model of Saturn V rocket to one side. Courtesy of Graham Hogben

Early 1970s

First degree programme, Bachelor of Education, introduced

Dr Frederic Mason to the left of picture, with Michael Berry
College trip to the seaside. Principal Dr Frederic Mason to the left of picture, with Michael Berry, the second Principal to the right.
Dr Michael Berry
Dr Michael Berry

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.

Students pictured in the 1989-90 Prospectus exploring a human anatomy model
Students pictured in the 1989-90 Prospectus.

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

Salomons Centre
The former Salomons Campus
The exterior of Christ Church Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology at Tunbridge Wells
The exterior of Christ Church Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology at Tunbridge Wells
Michael Wright
Michael Wright

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

Broadstairs Campus 2001
Building the Broadstairs Campus
Braodstairs Campus
Carey building at Broadstairs
Opening-of-the-Medway-Campus
Opening of the Medway Campus. Staff and students demonstrate medical techniques to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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

Augustine House hoardings
Augustine House Learning Centre being built

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

Class of 65 celebrating Christ Church's Golden Jubilee
Class of 65 celebrating Christ Church's Golden Jubilee

2013

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby

2013

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran
Professor Rama Thirunamachandran

2014

The former Canterbury Prison site purchased by the University as part of an ambitious redevelopment plan for the Canterbury Campus

level-1-a-wing
Canterbury’s 19th century prison

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

Pride Canterbury

2019

Opened Daphne Oram building – a stunning creative arts facility opened by Chair of the Arts Council Sir Nicholas Serota

Daphne Oram building
Daphne Oram building

2020s

2020

Opened the Kent and Medway Medical School, the first in the region, in partnership with the University of Kent.

Student outside Verena Holmes building
Verena Holmes building

January 2021

Opened Verena Holmes Building – a new £65 million STEM facility helping to generate skilled graduates for STEM industries in the South East

Diamond Jubilee logo

2022

Our 60-year anniversary. Join our Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

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