About the university

History of the university

Find out about the history of the university's institutions.

1890Founded as Woolwich Polytechnic, the second UK polytechnic
1892First CGLI certificate awarded
1894Part-time day courses in association with the Ministry of War (Woolwich Arsenal)
1907Institute with recognised teachers in the University of London. Start of degree level work
1935First sandwich courses in the UK with the Ministry of War
1969Amalgamated with parts of Hammersmith College of Art and Building
1970Thames Polytechnic established - one of the "new" polytechnics
1976Dartford College incorporated
1985Avery Hill College incorporated
1987Garnett College incorporated
1988Some science courses from Goldsmiths College and the City of London Polytechnic incorporated
1992The University of Greenwich
1993Thames College of Health Care Studies incorporated
1996Natural Resources Institute (NRI) incorporated