BA History

The University of Suffolk is a public university situated in Suffolk and Norfolk, England. The university was established in 2007 as University Campus Suffolk (UCS), founded as a collaboration between the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex. The university's current name was adopted after it was granted independence in 2016 by the Privy Council and was awarded university status.

The University of Suffolk is situated over three locations; a central hub in Ipswich and Academic Partner Colleges located in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth (the latter in Norfolk). The university operates two 'Schools' and in 2024/25 had 13,590 students.

The first chancellor was Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, who is a scholar and writer.

On 8 September 2025, it was announced that Helen Pankhurst will be succeeded by Zeb Soanes, journalist, broadcaster, author and actor who hosts the weekday evening music show Relaxing Evenings with Zeb Soanes on Classic FM. Mr Soanes, who was born and brought up in Suffolk, was awarded an Honorary degree by the University in 2023 and officially took over as Chancellor on 22 October 2025.

The university was named 'University of the Year' in the 2025 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.