AN INFERIOR student mentality was banished with the official university status stamp at Christ Church in Canterbury on Tuesday.

Student union president Richard Budden declared that status would make potential applicants more confident in its courses and pedigree.

A 15-year campaign towards the elevated position was realised as he rose on a crane with vice-chancellor Professor Michael Wright to unveil the new name – Canterbury Christ Church University – at the University’s Old Sessions House base.

Christ Church recently featured high on a survey of employability for students from around the country and is one of eight to be upgraded nationally.

Some from the University’s budding television channel C4TV captured the moment on camera.

Mr Budden said: "I think there was a feeling of second-best in the student mindset here before now. There are now two fully-fledged universities in Kent and both are in Canterbury.

"Our status will now mean more bargaining power around the table on behalf of the students both for courses and accomodation.

"The spirit among students is a real strength and I don’t believe anyone is forgotten here."

Media services union representative Gary Devlin said: "The confidence of the union as a whole will be boosted.

"We already have some of the best courses in the country and that will improve now.

"Our TV station has 11 members now and we will be lobbying hard for more equipment and possibly some studio space in future."

The University currently has 14,000 students enrolled in a range of courses from public sector to creative arts.

Born 43 years ago, it is now Kent’s largest higher education base for public services training including Kent Police and is ranked one of the UK’s best for teacher training.

Professor Wright said: "This status has not come easily and we have fought hard to achieve it.

"Our particular strength is training for the public services but we intend to build other areas such as our links with city music and the business school.

"There is a strong community here and our common goals have been a major factor behind our university status."

For more information on courses at Christ Church contact 01227 767700 or visit www.canterbury.ac.uk.