Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University began in 1962 as a Church of England college for training teachers, set up to meet a national shortage of teachers, and it became a university in 2005. The Archbishop of Canterbury serves as Chancellor, and the university is part of the Cathedrals Group of institutions founded by churches. Canterbury, a cathedral city holding UNESCO World Heritage status, is home to the main campus, which lies near the city centre on ground formerly belonging to St Augustine's Abbey. Health and social care are a particular focus at the second campus, in Medway, while Tunbridge Wells houses the Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology.
The university's three faculties are Medicine, Health and Social Care; Arts, Humanities and Education; and Science, Engineering and Social Sciences. Its core work remains professional training in education, health and social care, and the Kent and Medway Medical School is operated jointly by the university and the University of Kent. Investment has funded new facilities: the Daphne Oram Building, home to music, games design and digital media, and the Verena Holmes Building, which serves engineering, health and science.
Information for International Students
An international team supports overseas applicants from first enquiry to enrolment, and specialist staff help with the CAS and the Student visa application. Students whose school qualifications or English are not yet at direct entry level can join the university's own International Foundation Programme, a one-year course on the Canterbury campus that pairs subject preparation with academic English and leads on to a Christ Church degree. Brief pre-sessional courses in academic English also run in Canterbury before the academic year starts.
International undergraduates and postgraduates are guaranteed first-year accommodation provided they accept their offer and submit a housing application by the published deadline, and utility bills and 24-hour security are included with rooms. Before departure the international team explains in detail how to travel from the London airports to Canterbury by train, coach or taxi. Once in Canterbury, students register in person and the compliance team checks their documents. Students come from more than 80 countries, and peer mentors, cultural events and pre-arrival sessions help newcomers settle. Advice on UK employment is available from a careers and employability hub, and graduates may qualify for the Graduate Route.