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University of Kent

The University of Kent (formerly the University of Kent at Canterbury, abbreviated as UKC) is a university within the London and South East University Group (LASE) in Kent, England.1

Last updated Oct 18, 2026.

Overview

Jan 4, 1965Founded1

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The University of Kent (formerly the University of Kent at Canterbury, abbreviated as UKC) is a university within the London and South East University Group (LASE) in Kent, England. It was an independent university from 1965, when it was founded by royal charter, to 2026, when it merged with the University of Greenwich to form LASE. Following the merger, Kent is formally an academic division within LASE, but continues to operate as a university, including recruiting students, teaching and granting degrees, under the branding of the University of Kent (now formally a trading name of LASE), under LASE's shared governance, management and academic board.2

How it started

Origins

A university in the city of Canterbury was first considered in 1947, when an anticipated growth in student numbers led several residents to seek the creation of a new university, including Kent. However, the plans never came to fruition. A decade later both population growth and greater demand for university places led to a re-consideration. In 1959 the Education Committee of Kent County Council explored the creation of a new university, formally accepting the proposal unanimously on 24 February 1960. Two months later the Education Committee agreed to seek a site at or near Canterbury, given the historical associations of the city, subject to the support of Canterbury City Council.

By 1962 a site was found at Beverley Farm, straddling the then boundary between the City of Canterbury and the administrative county of Kent. The university's original name, chosen in 1962, was the University of Kent at Canterbury, reflecting its cross-boundary campus. The name adopted reflected the support of both the city and county authorities; as well as the existence of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, which officially opposed the use of a name too similar to its own. The abbreviation "UKC" became a popular abbreviation for the university.

1965 to 2000

The University of Kent at Canterbury was granted its Royal Charter on 4 January 1965 and the first group of 500 students arrived on 11 October 1965. On 30 March 1966 Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent was formally installed as the first Chancellor.

The university was envisaged as being a collegiate establishment, with most students living in one of the colleges on campus, and as specialising in inter-disciplinary studies in all fields. Over the years, changes in government policy and other changing demands have largely destroyed this original concept, leading to the present state, which is nearer the norm for a British university. However, the four original colleges – Darwin, Eliot, Keynes and Rutherford – remain, together with the newer Woolf and Turing colleges.

From Wikipedia’s article on University of Kent, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Leadership

Who has led University of Kent, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Board members and other officers (2)

Timeline

  1. Jan 4, 1965Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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