Our history

The University has roots going back over 100 years. You can see how student life has changed here during that time in our photo gallery.

Key landmarks in our history include:

	1899	Kingston Technical Institute opens, offering courses ranging from Chemistry, Electric Wiring and Building Construction to Nursing, Dressmaking and Clay Modelling
	1917	Gipsy Hill College for teacher training opens
	1926	The Board of Education formally recognises the Institute as a Technical College
	1930	The Kingston School of Art separates from the Technical College (moving to Knights Park in 1939 and becoming a College of Art in 1945)
	1946	Gipsy Hill College moves to Kingston Hill
	1951	The first Penryhn Road campus buildings open (by 1963 they are housing 955 full-time students; 2,259 part-time students and 2,629 evening students)
	1953	The Technical College opens its first library (with lending services starting in 1954)
	1957	The Ministry of Education recognises Kingston as a Regional College of Technology
	1963	Gipsy Hill College gains College of Education status
	1965	The College of Technology establishes its own orchestra
	1966	The College of Technology purchases its first computer, costing £50,000
	1970	The College of Technology and the College of Art merge to form Kingston Polytechnic; it offers 34 major courses, 17 of which at degree level
	1975	Gipsy Hill College merges with Kingston Polytechnic
	1992	Kingston Polytechnic becomes Kingston University
	1993	Roehampton Vale campus building opens
	1995	The University acquires Dorich House
	1999	The University celebrates its centenary