Ravensbourne is now officially Ravensbourne University London after the Greenwich institute was granted university status.

The new university, which specialises in digital media, moved to the Greenwich Peninsula in September 2010 after previously being based in Bromley Common and then Chislehurst.

The term ‘university’ is protected under law and institutes like Ravensbourne had to call themselves a ‘learning institute’ or other similar terms before now.

To get university status, you have to be approved by the government’s Privy Council by providing UK degrees before applying for the title.

Ravensbourne, or as we can call it now, Ravensbourne University London, has some impressive alumni including Kevin Carrigan, creative director of Calvin Klein.

Director, Professor Linda Drew said: “The awarding of university status acknowledges Ravensbourne’s academic integrity as a higher education institution with rigorous standards and academic governance. It’s a further endorsement of the quality and breadth of learning offered here.”

Jonathan Drori CBE, chairman of the Board of Governors said, “This is great news and a just reward for the drive and ambition of the whole institution.

“In a landscape of hectic change, Ravensbourne is well positioned for the future. We already have tight relationships with industry and our new university status will help us to become even more intimate with the creative sector that is so important to London and the wider economy.”