120 years: a timeline
From our early days training teachers and technicians to becoming a global name for creativity, critical thinking and social change, see the standout moments of the past 120 years of ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½.
The ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½â€™ Company’s Technical and Recreative Institute was founded by The Worshipful Company of ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ in 1891, on the site of the former Royal Naval College. With the dawn of the twentieth century, the Company handed over the Institute to the University of London. It was re-named ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ College and by 1905, the modern era of ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ had begun.
Over the past 120 years, ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ has evolved into a world-renowned university, educating generations of students who have gone on to shape culture, transform industries and stand up to injustice.
¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ 120 year story
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Formerly The ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½â€™ Company’s Technical and Recreative Institute, ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ admits students of higher education for the first time after joining the University of London. It is now known as ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ College.
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Mary Quant begins studying at ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½, and in the 1960s becomes an entrepreneurial fashion trailblazer.
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¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ experiences a rapid expansion in student numbers and begins to establish its reputation in the arts and social sciences.
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Our campus takes shape, as The Whitehead, Lockwood and Education Buildings are built, alongside Warmington Tower, St James’s Hall, and a new extension to the Richard Hoggart Building.
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Former student Malcolm McLaren starts managing the Sex Pistols and helps pioneer punk culture.
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Alex James and Graham Coxon – who later became half of legendary Britpop band Blur – meet on their first day studying at ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½.
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The art world is dominated by the famous Young British Artists, including ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ graduates Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Hamad Butt.
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The first MOBO Awards take place in London, founded by graduate Kanya King OBE.
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Linton Kwesi Johnson, who studied sociology at ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ in the 1970s, becomes the first Black poet to appear in the Penguin Modern Classics series.
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Multidisciplinary research group Forensic Architecture is formed, and goes on to receive accolades for investigating human rights violations.
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James Blake, who studied BMus Popular Music, is awarded the Mercury Prize.
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Graduate Steve McQueen wins an Oscar for his film 12 Years a Slave.
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¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Centre for Contemporary Art opens, bringing world-class exhibitions to South East London.
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Graduate Bernardine Evaristo is awarded the Booker Prize for her novel Girl, Woman, Other.
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BA Drama and Theatre Arts alumna and director Rebecca Frecknall wins the Laurence Olivier Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director for the West End revival of Cabaret.
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The ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Prize for literature celebrates 10 years of recognising fiction that breaks the mould.
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¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ is granted a Supplemental Charter by King Charles III.