Find out about the history of the university's institutions.
| 1890 | Founded as Woolwich Polytechnic, the second UK polytechnic |
| 1892 | First CGLI certificate awarded |
| 1894 | Part-time day courses in association with the Ministry of War (Woolwich Arsenal) |
| 1907 | Institute with recognised teachers in the University of London. Start of degree level work |
| 1935 | First sandwich courses in the UK with the Ministry of War |
| 1969 | Amalgamated with parts of Hammersmith College of Art and Building |
| 1970 | Thames Polytechnic established - one of the "new" polytechnics |
| 1976 | Dartford College incorporated |
| 1985 | Avery Hill College incorporated |
| 1987 | Garnett College incorporated |
| 1988 | Some science courses from Goldsmiths College and the City of London Polytechnic incorporated |
| 1992 | The University of Greenwich |
| 1993 | Thames College of Health Care Studies incorporated |
| 1996 | Natural Resources Institute (NRI) incorporated |