The latest chapter in Medway's efforts to take on the Ivy League was made this week with the arrival of the Town's fourth university.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Elaine Thomas cut the ribbon on Tuesday to officially launch the new University for the Creative Arts at the former KIAD art college on Fort Pitt Hill.

Formerly known as the University College for the Creative Arts, the institution was awarded university status by the Privy Council in May, making it the country’s first specialist creative arts university.

Prof Thomas said: “We are delighted to have been granted university title. It is wonderful to receive confirmation that we are operating as an authoritative and well-respected institution of university standing.”

The institution, which offers more than 80 courses and has 6,500 students, was formed by the merger of the Surrey Institute for Art and Design, University College and the Kent Institute for Art and Design in 2005.

The newly-named University for the Creative Arts has five campuses at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester.

Former graduates include Turner Prize winner Tracey Emin, television presenter Tony Hart, Oscar winner Susie Templeton, and fashion designers Owen Gaster, Karen Millen and Zandra Rhodes.