Canterbury Christ Church University: what it's really like
Discover Canterbury Christ Church University copy
Want to study at a university ranked number one in the UK for graduate employment prospects? Canterbury Christ Church could be for you!
CCCU at a glance:
| Founded | 1962 |
| Locations | Canterbury, Medway, and Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England |
| Undergraduate course length | Three years |
| Courses | Our subjects span more than ten faculties, from Art and Design, to Engineering and Computing; from Teaching, Education and Childhood, to Law, Policing and Criminal Justice. |
| Students | 33,000 |
| Great for | Students who want to study at a university which has been celebrated for its employability prospects, ranking number one for graduates in employment in the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023. |
| Not for | Students who want to blend into the background in their classes. |
Sam Graham, Course Enquiry Unit Assistant at Canterbury and a former student of the university, tells us what it’s like to study there.
What is Canterbury Christ Church University?
Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) was founded in 1962 as a teaching college. Whilst it still specialises in teaching, it also offers a range of other subjects, from law to engineering to the creative arts.
There are about 33,000 students here and 1,500 staff. It's both a city and a campus university, giving you the best of both experiences.
Why apply to CCCU?
One reason to apply to CCCU is that we focus on preparing you with skills for the working world, like how to network and how to get your first job.
As a result, we have been named number one in the UK for graduates in employment, according to the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023. 94% of our graduates are in work 15 months after finishing their degree.
If you’re an international student, Canterbury is also a beautiful and multicultural city in which to spend your time studying abroad. Look out for Canterbury Cathedral, which you’ll have free access to as a CCCU student.
Who isn’t the right fit for CCCU?
CCCU is a smaller university, offering a more personal approach to its teaching style with lots of one-to-one time. When I was at university I was often bumping into lecturers and having a chat. Everyone is welcome here, but if you’re someone who wants to blend into the crowd or hide at the back of a big lecture hall, CCCU might not be for you.
It's also worth noting that we don't currently offer degrees in dentistry, veterinary medicine, or aerospace or nautical engineering. But if you're interested in these subjects, some of our alternatives like biomedical science, product design, and manufacturing and software engineering might appeal instead.
Any application tips?
A good Personal Statement goes a long way. At CCCU, our admission teams will be looking at your application as a whole. Grades are important, but they'll want to get to know you as a person too – so make it memorable!
Try to mention any experience you have in your subject area of interest, like a work placement, and tell us why you’re passionate about it.
You will need a reference, whether an academic one from your school or college, or a professional one from somewhere you’ve worked.
What’s the location like?
Our main campus is on the edge of Canterbury, a vibrant student city with three universities.
In Canterbury, there are lots of restaurants where you can make the most of your student discount, and the nightlife offers plenty of bars and a few clubs to choose from. There are arts and cultural venues like the Marlowe Theatre, and a new Curzon cinema for film lovers. We also celebrate the Canterbury Festival, an arts festival, and co-host the Pride parade in the city every year.
What facilities does CCCU have to offer?
CCCU’s facilities have been designed to help students get a true-to-life feel for their future careers.
Our forensics students can ‘become’ investigators, with a mock police station, prison cell, and fake crime scenes to investigate. For law students, there’s a mock courtroom; and for nursing students, our mock hospital ward with mannequins that simulate different health-related situations.
On the social side, we have a fully kitted-out sports centre with a climbing wall, football and rugby pitches, and lots of sports teams you can join.
What is the accommodation like?
All accommodation at CCCU is within a 10-15-minute walk of both the campus and the city centre. There are options to suit a range of student needs, with shared and en suite rooms, and all first year students are guaranteed accommodation with us.
How does the university meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?
CCC has been ranked in the top 5 in the UK for student mental health support (according to the HUMEN League Table 2022). Our friendly student advisors offer confidential support and advice about personal issues, as well as financial support and tips on work-life balance.
There is wheelchair access across the CCCU campus, and our disability team is always on-hand to discuss any of your access needs and to make sure they’re being met.
I personally found the student support team really helpful when I was at university. Studying a degree can be stressful, and for me, the team set up a learning support plan, which meant that I could request an extension to my deadlines if I needed it. They also supported me with counselling, which really helped me.
Want to explore more UK universities? Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.