Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å®

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 Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å®.

The Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Ů’ Company’s Technical and Recreative Institute was founded by The Worshipful Company of Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® 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 Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® College and by 1905, the modern era of Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® had begun.

Over the past 120 years, Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® 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. 

Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® 120 year story

  • Icon for 1905 graduates

    Formerly The Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Ů’ Company’s Technical and Recreative Institute, Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® admits students of higher education for the first time after joining the University of London. It is now known as Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® College.

  • Icon for Mary Quant

    Mary Quant begins studying at Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å®, and in the 1960s becomes an entrepreneurial fashion trailblazer.

  • Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® experiences a rapid expansion in student numbers and begins to establish its reputation in the arts and social sciences.

  • 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.

  • Former student Malcolm McLaren starts managing the Sex Pistols and helps pioneer punk culture.

  • Alex James and Graham Coxon – who later became half of legendary Britpop band Blur – meet on their first day studying at Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å®.

  • Icon for Young British Artists

    The art world is dominated by the famous Young British Artists, including Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® graduates Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Hamad Butt.

  • Icon for Kanya King OBE

    The first MOBO Awards take place in London, founded by graduate Kanya King OBE.

  • Icon for Linton Kwesi Johnson

    Linton Kwesi Johnson, who studied sociology at Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® in the 1970s, becomes the first Black poet to appear in the Penguin Modern Classics series.

  • Multidisciplinary research group Forensic Architecture is formed, and goes on to receive accolades for investigating human rights violations.

  • James Blake, who studied BMus Popular Music, is awarded the Mercury Prize.

  • Icon for Steve McQueen

    Graduate Steve McQueen wins an Oscar for his film 12 Years a Slave.

  • Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® Centre for Contemporary Art opens, bringing world-class exhibitions to South East London.

  • Graduate Bernardine Evaristo is awarded the Booker Prize for her novel Girl, Woman, Other.

  • Icon for Rebecca Frecknall

    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.

  • The Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® Prize for literature celebrates 10 years of recognising fiction that breaks the mould.

  • Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® is granted a Supplemental Charter by King Charles III.