News

The Vice-Chancellor’s Question and Answer took place on Wednesday 19th November 2025, 10:00-11:30am.  This was an opportunity to promote transparency within the University and for students to speak directly with Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL, Vice-Chancellor & Principal, during a time of great change and challenge, both nationally and here at Canterbury Christ Church.  We received 39 questions in advance from our students and have distilled the key takeaways on everything from registration to campus facilities and finances

Registration & Administrative Issues

• Delays: The VC fully accepts responsibility for recent registration delays caused by attempting to implement a new streamlined system too quickly.
• Extensions: Assignment submissions have been extended to recognise that students were delayed.
• Contact Point: Students should direct enquiries to the Student Zone. Please only email once and not to multiple inboxes to avoid creating backlogs.

Academics, Courses & Assessment

• Course Cancellations: Rumours that "all humanities" are closing are factually untrue.  We consistently review our academic offering, the content of our courses as well as the type of courses we offer to meet the needs of our students and employers as well as work in partnership with other universities to ensure a breadth of offer in the local area.  Some specific courses (e.g., English Literature) were closed due to a lack of student demand.  When this is the case, we will work closely with our staff and students to ensure they are supported through this change and experience the same high-quality teaching throughout the rest of their academic journey and be able to complete the course.
• Placements: The policy aims for a maximum 90-minute travel time.  There is a placement change request process in place for those students that raise concerns over travel times that are reviewed by the course teams and relevant academics.  Students facing financial hardship should contact the Student Wellbeing and Support Team.
• Postgraduate (PGR) Support: The VC recognises PGR students need different support and that it is not quite right at the moment.  They aim to return to having named individuals dedicated to PGR services.
• AI in Assessments: Assessment methods will change in recognition of the impact of AI.  The VC views AI as a positive tool for the future, though negative aspects must be managed.

Finances & Cost of Living

• Fees: At the time of the event, which was before the 2025 Budget announcement, there had been speculation that the UK Government would apply a 6% levy, chargeable to universities, to the fees of international students.  When asked, the VC said the University would likely not pass this onto international students as the ‘market’ in international students would make this difficult.
• Food Prices: Food prices have risen everywhere due to inflation, but the University continues to substantially subsidise food, making a loss, to keep prices as low as possible.
  Hardship Support: Students unable to afford textbooks or essentials should contact Student Wellbeing and Support Team for advice on  accessing the Hardship Fund.  Pantry services are also available via the SU.
• Financial Strategy: The University sector faces challenging financial pressures, including rising operational and staffing costs and changes in international postgraduate visa regulations. At CCCU, we are in a good financial position compared to many other universities - approximately 43% of UK universities are in deficit which we are not.  Spending cuts (TCP) were necessary to break even following a reduction in UK and international student numbers.

Facilities & Campus Services

• Parking: Student parking remains unavailable due to strict city council restrictions and limited space in the city centre.  We work closely with the local council and public transport providers to offer a range of discounts to provide sustainable and affordable travel options.  
• Social Spaces: There are no immediate plans to refurbish the Food Court or add a new student bar on the Canterbury Campus
• Staff Spaces: The VC defended the need for a designated staff common room, stating staff should have their own space just as students have the SU Mary Seacole Building.
• Medway Campus: Services have been centralised to improve student experience, but the University is open to specific feedback on Medway priorities.

Future Priorities & Management

• Top Priorities: The University's main goals for the next five years are improving student experience, recruitment, and graduate employability.
• Management Pay: Senior Management Team (SMT) salaries are set by the Remuneration Committee of the Governing Body.  The SMT proposed a pay freeze for themselves this year, but the Governing Body overturned it.
• Drug Policy: The University aims to operate within the law while looking at ‘harm reduction’ approaches used by some other universities.