2013 is set to be a very exciting year for UEA, as we celebrate 50 years of academic excellence in teaching, research and innovation since opening in 1963. It has been half a century since our first vice-chancellor, Frank Thistlethwaite opened the University and welcomed our first undergraduates, and since then we’ve made some incredible progress.

In the last 50 years we have grown in academic distinction and reputation, achieving international acclaim. We are ranked in the top 2% of academic institutions globally, as well as being acknowledged as one of the ten best universities in the world under 50 years of age. Our progressive approach to teaching has allowed us to reach several academic milestones, such as the establishment of our prestigious and first of its kind Creative Writing MA in 1971, and the founding of our world-class School of Environmental Sciences.

Architect Denys Ladun present plans for the Ziggurats, the student accommodation building, in 1967.

From welcoming our first 100 undergraduates in 1963, to educating the 15,000 students that attend the University today, more than 100,000 students have graduated from UEA in the last fifty years. Our graduates go on to pursue successful careers in a vast range of sectors, including further academic study, and the work of our students and academic researchers continues to make a powerful cultural, social and economic impact.

To commemorate these achievements we will be celebrating our jubilee throughout 2013. Furthermore to continue to create an inspiring legacy for our students and our global community, we will be launching The Difference Campaign.  This ambitious philanthropic project aims to gather support and raise funds in order to advance four key areas where we believe we have exceptional strength and potential  - Health, Climate, Opportunity, and Creativity. The campaign plans to provide a significant boost to our research and inclusion aspirations; from working towards finding a cure for prostate cancer or understanding climate change, to supporting talented students from low income backgrounds.

UEA is reputable for its excellent student satisfaction levels, and in 2012 the National Student Satisfaction placed us in the top 5 for overall student satisfaction across all English-based universities.

It has been an incredible 50 years so far, and we look forward to continued growth and development  in the future. If you would like to join our celebrations and study with us at UEA, please visit our homepage for more information.