A hub of educational excellence
The Canterbury district of Kent is a hub of educational excellence, home to several renowned Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) institutions that attract students from across the UK and beyond. These centres not only provide top-tier education but also contribute significantly to the local economy and community.
University of Kent
The University of Kent is a leading higher education provider in Canterbury, known for its research-intensive programs and diverse academic offerings. With a hilltop campus that overlooks the city, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across disciplines such as humanities, sciences, business, and law. It is also internationally recognised for its research output, providing students with the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge studies. The university’s vibrant student community and state-of-the-art facilities make it a cornerstone of Canterbury’s academic landscape.
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University offering a broad spectrum of courses, particularly in education, health, and social care. Known for its strong community focus and excellent teaching standards, the university has established itself as a leader in teacher training and nursing education. Its commitment to inclusive education and strong ties to local businesses and organisations make it an integral part of Canterbury’s social and economic fabric.
East Kent College
East Kent College (EKC Group) plays a crucial role in providing vocational and technical education for Canterbury and the wider Kent area. Canterbury College close to the City Centre includes a newly opened Green Engineering and Mechatronic lab equipping students and businesses with the knowledge they’ll need to adapt to a net zero world. Alongside the Civil Engineering Training Centre at Hersden and the horticulture focused Spring Lane Campus all three sites provide practical skills that meet the skills and training demands of local industries.
UCA Canterbury
The Canterbury Campus of the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) focused on architecture, spatial and computer design, fine art and visual communications. This is a place with a vision to be recognised as a global authority on the creative arts, creative technologies and as a talent pipeline for the creative industries.
UCA is the UK’s top specialist art and design university in terms of research outputs and the second highest-ranked specialist creative university in the UK for 2025, according to The Guardian. Around 10,000 students study here each year.
Kent and Medway Medical School
Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) in Canterbury educates aspiring doctors in all aspects of 21st Century Medicine. Launched in 2021, the first of the initial 108 strong cohort from a pool of 1,537 applicants are set to graduate in 2025.
The school is a collaboration between Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent bringing together the research strengths and excellent clinical teaching of both institutions. Its ambition is a simple one: to attract talented students from all backgrounds to help transform the future of healthcare.
Kent and Medway EDGE Hub
The Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth, and Enterprise (EDGE) Hub is powering innovation for Canterbury, and supporting the development of new skills across the wider region. With 1,250 expected to graduate from engineering and technology courses in 2024 alone, it is supporting both the region’s talent pool and future ambitions.
Based at the Canterbury campus of Canterbury Christ Church University, this specialist school excels in its collaboration with industry as well as providing professional training and development, consultancy and cutting-edge research.
A vibrant educational eco-system
Together, these further education and higher education institutions create a vibrant educational ecosystem in Canterbury, fostering innovation, community engagement, and economic growth. Their presence not only enriches the lives of students but also enhances the city’s reputation as a centre of learning and opportunity.