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Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) was first established in 1962 and has, for over 60 years, built an exceptional reputation for the quality of its study programmes.
In total there are around 20,000 students enrolled at the university, with a fifth enrolled in a postgraduate qualification. Students study in one of three academic faculties:
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences
The university is located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering students the exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in a fascinating location rich in tradition and culture. There are campuses in Canterbury itself, along with Medway and Tunbridge Wells.
There are excellent facilities at the university. CCCU students will benefit from passionate tutors, modern learning spaces and contemporary programme designs, shaped by the latest research.
World-class and internationally renowned research in most recent REF. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, which assessed the quality of research in the preceding seven years, found that Canterbury Christ Church University had more than doubled its proportion of world-leading (4*) research and quadrupled its proportion of world-leading (4*) impact since 2014.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Very helpful and nice lecturers. University offers a lots of different resources and facilities.”
“Life at university is fabulous.”
“Great support from the Graduate College.”
Postgraduate
The university has an engaged community of postgraduate students, supported by its own graduate college. Students will be able to choose from a wide selection of study options across both taught and research-led disciplines, and will be given all the support and facilities needed to succeed.
There are specialist services on-hand to offer advice to postgrads, including specific careers guidance to help students find work suitable for their higher qualification status.
The university has a broad portfolio of postgraduate study courses. These include both taught options (master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas and certificates, and CPD courses) and research-led courses, which offer MPhils and PhDs.
There are over 400 subject areas available, with the selection of courses always revised and expanded where possible, alongside updates to the existing curriculum to provide the most current education possible.
This is also shaped by the university’s own research work – students on a research postgrad qualification will often help to shape the syllabus for future students at the institution. Students are therefore very well prepared to enter the working world upon graduation.
CCCU has an excellent reputation for hiring lecturers and staff that are truly experts in their respective fields. Not only are the faculty knowledgeable and highly experienced in their subject areas, but they are passionate about education and have a skill for engaging students, making sure the course materials are delivered in a contemporary and exciting way.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Practice based lectures, friendly and supportive course team, good facilities and studios available.”
“Course hours are very flexible you can easily manage your studies with you part time work.”
“Best part is the tutors are awesome, supportive and friendly.”
Because CCCU offers such a broad range of postgraduate study options, the entry requirements vary significantly between different courses. More detailed information, including course-by-course entry requirements, can be found on the Canterbury Christ Church University website.
Many courses will require a prior undergraduate degree in a related subject, sometimes with a minimum grade, although some may not have specific course requirements and may simply look for students who have demonstrated the ability to complete an undergraduate qualification.
Some study programmes will also be open to students who have not completed an undergraduate qualification, if they have relevant experience through other channels. This could include time spent in the workplace, for anyone returning to education as a mature student.
Students may be asked to attend interviews when they apply. International students may be asked to attend these online and, depending on their country of origin, they may need to provide evidence of their English language ability. There may be other course-specific entry requirements, too.
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Canterbury Christ Church University was originally established as a specialist teaching college and has built a firm reputation of excellence for its expertise in the field of teacher training, garnering consistently high praise from the wider educational community.
Much of CCCU’s work is connected to significant current social issues, with dedicated research teams investigating areas like the effects of migration, the complexities of HIV diagnosis, cybercrime, and innovative stem cell research. Many of the faculty teams have extensive experience in commercial, professional and academic spheres, while many have also worked and taught overseas.
Indeed, the university’s research-led courses are widely recognised as excellent, with students enjoying the opportunity to help shape the future of society.
CCCU has a great staff-to-student teaching ratio to ensure students get a personalised learning experience and all the support they need. Students who opt to study remotely still benefit from this same high standard of support.
Studying at CCCU offers postgrads a fantastic advantage when it comes to entering the working world. Students gain not just the necessary knowledge of their field, but also wider skills that add further value to what they can bring, making them a better prospect to employers upon graduation.
99% of CCCU postgraduates were in work or further training within 15 months of finishing their course.
Part of the success is the graduate college which offers a fantastically supportive and friendly environment in which to be a postgraduate student. It welcomes students of all ages and all backgrounds and provides an intellectually stimulating environment.
All postgraduate research degrees are managed by the Graduate College which also runs the year-long Researcher Development Training Programme, and provides many educational and training workshops, as well as social events, thesis-writing boot-camps, writing together and well-being sessions.
The student-led Postgraduate Research Association also provides social and academic opportunities, including an annual postgraduate researcher conference, as well as mentoring and support throughout the year.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Student engagement activities are up to the mark and as a post graduate the university prepares us for the next step and help us to get ready for interviews and jobs.”
“The placements are an important part of the course”.
“My course taught me how to succeed as an author and the formal steps toward publication”.
The Canterbury Christ Church Student’s Union (SU) acts as the representational voice of the university’s students, providing academic and personal advice to encourage the best university experience for its members. It is a student-run organisation that offers CCCU students many opportunities to get involved. Services include general training, skills development, student activities, employment opportunities and information about volunteering.
Clubs and societies
Canterbury Christ Church University’s SU organises over 90 clubs and societies for its 20,000 student population. This includes a variety of different sports teams, language groups and an eclectic mix of special interest societies which cater to all preferences.
Students are encouraged to start new clubs and societies, and the university supports the creation of new organisations, offering accreditation and funding.
City life
Canterbury is a historic yet truly cosmopolitan city, which is easy to explore and offers an excellent student experience. Canterbury is home to the world-famous Canterbury Cathedral, which is where students of CCCU graduate, while the city itself has UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The city has much to enjoy, including theatres, cinemas, shops, bars and restaurants.
London is only an hour away by train, and Europe is just a short trip across the English Channel.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Fantastic student union and i-Zone staff very co operative. Life at university is fabulous.”
“The university is student centered and focus on all our needs and makes it happen in practical that we study in relaxed environment.”
“Being a city based university means that we get to explore historical Canterbury whilst studying in great facilities and meeting new people.”
International postgraduate students will be allocated university accommodation if they formally accept an offer to study full-time at CCCU, and have applied online before 31 July. The university will try to place postgraduate students together where possible, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Facilities
CCCU is a self-contained learning environment with a wealth of educational and social facilities. A dedicated postgraduate research centre offers 24-hour access to IT resources. The university’s main library is based in Augustine House. The Augustine House library is supplemented by Salomon’s Library in Tunbridge Wells, which houses a specialist collection covering clinical psychology and mental health care. Students can also access the Drill Hall library in Medway.
The university’s main campus provides a range of on-site cafés, food courts and coffee shops, as well as many arts and culture venues. There is a fully equipped sports centre, with gym and exercise studios.
CCCU has invested £65 million into a new STEM facility, the Verena Holmes Building. It is home to the Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth and Enterprise (EDGE) Hub, and will support new specialist health, science, and medicine facilities. The university has also invested heavily in its arts facility, the Daphne Oram building.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Lecturers welcome questions and spend time answering them to ensure you understand before moving on. The facilities/equipment are well maintained.”
“Staff are all brilliant and invested in the students and genuinely care about us, the facilities are also amazing, top standard.”
“The university has some great spaces to study including cafes and seating areas.”
Canterbury Christ Church University understands that academic transition from either school to university or undergraduate to postgraduate study can be challenging, especially for those students who are living in a new city, or even a new country.
CCCU provides a lot of support options to help its students with any issue or concerns, ensuring the academic and personal development needed for success. Students can approach the student support office for assistance with financial advice, health and wellbeing, careers and jobs, childcare, faith, and religious guidance.
The university offers free and confidential counselling services, and there is dedicated advice available for support in budgeting, finding scholarships and general finance for students in difficult financial situations. Where appropriate, the service will also direct students to other, third-party organisations that can also offer help.
The disability advice team is available to help students with specific needs and can provide practical support and access to specialised resources.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Postgraduate Search say:
“I am overwhelmed with the support I have received right from the day I arrived in the city. They have guided me with accommodation and other basic necessities. The staff is really helpful and courteous.”
“The university has been very welcoming as a mature student. The academic support is very good”
There are a number of scholarships that postgraduate students may be eligible for to help with the tuition costs of their chosen course. These include options funded by the university and by third parties – eligibility criteria varies for each.
Scholarships don’t need to be repaid and often apply directly to tuition fees, although some may be paid to students to use for other learning materials or to support living costs. The university’s guide to funding has more detail.
Interested in scholarships?
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There are several routes open for postgraduate taught courses at CCCU:
Master’s
PGCE
PG Certificate
PG Diploma
All taught courses are led by expert faculty who offer outstanding support, encouraging students to strike the right balance between lectures, seminars and independent study.
Research
CCCU is a progressive and research-driven institution and has both full-time and part-time research students enrolled across a variety of subject areas.
The research degree classifications available are:
Master’s by Research
PhD
MPhil
Specialist Doctorates
REF 2021 found that:
The percentage of world-leading (4*) research at the university has more than doubled since 2014.
61.2% of CCCU’s submitted work was judged to be either world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).
At least 15% of research was assessed to be world-leading (4*) in seven out of the 12 UoAs it submitted to.
The percentage of its impact that has been rated as world-leading (4*) has more than quadrupled since 2014.
84.3% CCCU impact case studies were rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*), compared to 52% in 2014.
Distance learning
CCCU offers some courses with distance learning options – allowing students to undertake their postgraduate study from anywhere in the world.
Students can access the learning materials at a time to suit them, while benefiting from a high level of academic support through emails and video calls as needed.
Sound interesting?
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Canterbury Christ Church University