University bosses say they will no longer recruit students for courses at a coastal campus from 2018.

Canterbury Christ Church University made the announcement following speculation on Monday this week that its Broadstairs campus is to close.

In the statement issued by the university’s media relations team, the courses will be moved back to Canterbury “over the next few years”.

The management has pledged there will be a “smooth transition” for current students and staff and say courses currently running will remain open.

In the statement, the university said: “All courses will remain open and new ones will be created as part of wider, longer-term plans to invest in a student experience of the highest quality at our main campus in Canterbury.”

The campus at Broadstairs was first opened in 2000, and currently includes 800 students from the area studying at the university.

But the majority are choosing to study at the main campus in Canterbury, with only 135 choosing to remain in the Thanet town.

University Vice Chancellor Professor Rama Thirunamachandran said: “This decision has been taken after careful consideration and in the best interests of our current and future students.

“I am personally aware of the importance of access to higher education in Thanet, having
been involved in the creation of the campus 17 years ago while at the Higher Education
Funding Council for England.”

Prof Thirunamachandran said the university will keep its contacts and partnerships with nearby schools and colleges in its outreach work.