Read honest reviews from real students at this uni
4.04.13.9
Established in 1962, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is renowned for its industry-responsive courses, training the community's future healthcare professionals, engineers, teachers, creative designers, and more.
CCCU offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across STEM subjects and the creative arts. Not only are the course offerings diverse and innovative, all courses weave themes of employability and sustainability throughout their curriculum, highlighting CCCU's commitment to creating sustainable futures for graduates – that's why they've been in the top 20 for graduates in employment for over three years running.
With over 60 years' experience in teacher education, CCCU offers a diverse range of teacher training routes, with qualifications leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Courses to teach internationally are also offered, highlighting their international status within the education sector.
Not only does CCCU prioritise employability, but the institution prides itself on its support services, offering a range of tailored support to their students, both throughout and beyond their studies.
Nestled in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, CCCU offers an education that prepares its students for the future. Through a supportive and community-focused ethos, students feel a part of the Canterbury community as they study within the historic, walled city.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni says:
''Canterbury Christ Church is a friendly and welcoming university, being a city based university means that we get to explore historical Canterbury whilst studying in great facilities and meeting new people.''
''Canterbury is an excellent place to study with great library resources. The location itself is quaint and has a good balance of social and work oriented life styles.''
''Canterbury Christ church is a great place to study, as the tutors support you extremely well with emotional and physical issues you may face. They are understanding, outstanding lecturers and are great role models to all students.''
4.3CCCU boasts a range of award-winning, state-of-the-art facilities across both its Canterbury and Medway campuses.
For budding engineers, law professionals, forensic psychologists, and nurses, CCCU's Verena Holmes building offers industry-spec facilities including medical simulation suites, laboratories, and the innovative Hydra Suite, which is an immersive training facility used by students to prepare them for high stakes, real life scenarios.
CCCU's creative courses are situated in their arts hub, Daphne Oram. This welcoming, collaborative space has been purpose-built for photography, games design, graphic design, and music students. The hub comprises music studios, dark rooms, mac labs, a print room, a games design hub, and collab spaces, encouraging students to work and create together.
Based near the heart of the city, CCCU's award-winning library, Augustine House, is made up of four floors, offering a range of study spaces to suit students' learning needs. This sustainable building is fantastic for individual and group study, socialising, and finding support from staff.
Home to education and health students, CCCU's Medway Campus is specifically designed to create the UK's education and healthcare professionals. The campus boasts industry-spec simulation facilities and is home to the Institute of Medical Sciences.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
''My course is based in the newest building in the uni, Verona Holmes. It's modern and incredible. The simulation suite is my favourite part as aspects of my course can be simulated to aid my learning before heading out into clinical placement and practicing the skills simulated for real.''
''Lovely campus and the cafe is great!''
''Everything we need is here.''
Based in the Garden of England, Kent, Canterbury is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church. According to student reviewers there are plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants to keep them entertained, as well as galleries and theatres.
Medway is a cosmopolitan area that's home to students from three universities, giving the area a vibrant, student scene.
What's more, London is less than an hour away by train from Canterbury and just 35 minutes from Medway. Both locations are easy to travel from, whether you want to head to the Capital or to the rest of Europe.
Students can enjoy the green and social spaces that Canterbury and Medway have to offer, creating a safe, inclusive, and inviting student hub on both campuses.
There are a huge range of clubs and societies that students can join through the Students' Union. And if students can't find a society they want to choose, they can create their own. Students are fully supported through the SU.
3.7CCCU is top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment (HESA:2025) and has been in the top 20 for three years running. This highlights the institution's emphasis on creating employability-focused and industry-responsive courses.
Throughout every degree, students undertake modules that cover industry, contemporary topics, and sustainability, aiding them in gaining employment and solidifying a sustainable future as they enter the workforce.
Students also have the opportunity to collaborate through interdisciplinary work, learning with students on other courses. Through this collaborative study, students gain vital skills in teamwork, communication, and knowledge sharing, fully preparing them for graduate employment.
4.1Based throughout Canterbury city, there are lots of different options for student accommodation at CCCU.
In Canterbury, student residences are single study bedrooms grouped in either houses or flats with a choice of en-suite or shared facilities, and many feature communal living and dining areas.
All accommodation is a short walk away from the main city and campus, making living in Canterbury student accommodation an affordable, easy, and convenient option.
In Medway, accommodation is shared with the University of Kent in their Pier Quays residence. This is just a ten-minute walk from campus and boasts on-site access to a social area, launderette, Tesco Express, Subway, and Domino's Pizza.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
''Petros was very modern, clean and stylish, similar to staying at a premier inn but with a shared kitchen! It was spacious and well organised, I felt as though I was safe and security/caretakers were easy to get hold of if needed.''
''Petros court - clean and central.''
''Lanfranc house - good experience and facilities.''
Entry requirements for study at Canterbury Christ Church vary on a course-by-course basis. As a guide, the university currently asks for BBC grades at A-level, or equivalent, for most courses. Some subjects may accept students with a reduced number of points, while others may require higher grades.
Student applications are always considered on an individual basis, so students who are concerned about meeting the grades are still encouraged to apply – personal statements and references will always be taken into account during admissions decision making. Students returning to education following time in the workforce may also be able to credit their employment experience towards some courses' requirements.
Students who fail to meet the requirements for their course can also undertake a foundation year, designed to get students to the level needed to then progress onto an undergraduate qualification upon completion.
Some subjects may have additional requirements, including interviews and potentially a portfolio of previous work. All entry conditions are listed on the course pages on the university's website.
CCCU offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to undergraduate, postgraduate, and international students. These change throughout the year, so it's recommended that applicants and students keep an eye on the CCCU website.
Awards include:
….and more.
The annual tuition fees for most undergraduate full-time courses are:
UK/EU: £9250
Overseas: £11,900
Foundation Year: £6,350
From nursing and teaching, to engineering, sport science, computing, and games design, there's a wealth of undergraduate courses on offer at CCCU.
Students have an exceptional selection of study options available across four Schools:
Learning quality is prioritised throughout every course – that's why we're ranked 5th in the UK for student experience and 6th for quality of teaching (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).
Students delve into both practical and academic study, blending theory with practice to truly set them up with the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
This is facilitated by the excellent academics at the University. Tutors and lecturers are passionate about their specialisms as they engage and inspire their students. Throughout many courses, students can also get involved in direct research, working with academics and postgraduate students as they gain rich research experience alongside their usual study.
All students benefit from a Personal Academic Tutor during each year of study, offering unique and tailored support throughout their degree.
With an emphasis on community and teamwork, lecturers and students refer to each other by their first names, highlighting the warm and inviting environment that CCCU creates on campus.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
''The lecturers are very knowledgeable; they are enthusiastic and dedicated to making sure that we are progressing. We get many opportunities for PAT (personal academic tutor) meetings, time with peers and tutorials based upon feedback or queries.''
''Contact with lectures is amazing. I frequently communicate with my PAT and am always met with great advice and am guided into the right direction if further help is required.''
''Best aspect has been the wealth of knowledge and advice that are offered when we meet face to face. The incidental learning opportunities that have arisen have arose due to the teaching style and attitudes from uni lecturers to enable us to feel comfortable and valued to share ideas and experience.''
CCCU is recognised historically as a university for teacher training and higher education for the public services, including health-related courses. The institution has evolved significantly in recent years and has a wide portfolio in arts and humanities, engineering, and sport, as well as the creative arts, and social and applied sciences.
Beyond these specialisms, the University is broadly considered to offer outstanding education opportunities across its entire portfolio of courses.
With a passion for teaching and providing an exceptional learning experience, students on any course at CCCU will benefit from the very latest developments in their chosen field. This leaves them best prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation.
3.9The Canterbury Christ Church University Students' Union is run independently from the University and has a mixture of full-time sabbatical officers and staff, plus a Board of Trustees. It offers advice, representation, training, skills development, student activities, volunteering opportunities, and employment.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
''The sporting and societal communities here are like huge families, and the opportunities that have come from these alongside my course, being a student ambassador and being on campus are amazing!''
''Enjoy being part of a sports team. Great way of socialising and making friends.''
''Perfect for students moving to a new place.''
4.1CCCU prides itself on the extensive support that it offers its students. From application to after graduation, students can access a range of support to help them, from mental health and wellbeing to finance. Other areas of support include disability, cost of living, employability, and careers advice.
The Careers and Enterprise Service offers a variety of one-to-ones and workshops, including how to set up your own business, CV help, preparing for graduate employment, and networking. Bursaries are offered to help with career development, and the University also has access to Unitemps where students can find placements, internships, part-time work, and volunteering opportunities.
As the University has a Christian foundation, the work of the Chaplaincy is particularly important and there are three chaplains who work across the three campuses to provide support and help.
CCCU welcomes students of all faiths and none, and students can seek advice from the Chaplaincy regardless of their own background and beliefs. As well as the Canterbury based chapel, there is a Muslim prayer room, a Buddhist meditation room, and quiet rooms on all campuses.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
''Staff are amazing with support and ensuring I succeed the best I can.''
''They are really responsive, informative and helpful.''
''Extremely supportive and always happy to help you.''
4.2
