It has been part of Norwich for more than 50 years.

Eastern Daily Press: IC010 UEA Being Built. Taken on 16/06/67 Panoramic view of the University development taken from Bluebell Road. Included biology block, terraces of student residences and arts buildings. (From Archive)IC010 UEA Being Built. Taken on 16/06/67 Panoramic view of the University development taken from Bluebell Road. Included biology block, terraces of student residences and arts buildings. (From Archive) (Image: Archant)

After UEA landed its highest league table spot to date earlier this month, we've had a look back through its history, using these pictures from our archives.

Eastern Daily Press: IC011 UEA Being Built. Taken on 16/06/67 A frontal view of the biology building which is under construction. (From Archive)IC011 UEA Being Built. Taken on 16/06/67 A frontal view of the biology building which is under construction. (From Archive) (Image: Archant)

It was in 1963 that, after two tries which failed thanks to a lack of government funding, the university finally opened for its first 87 students.

Eastern Daily Press: IC012 UEA Being Built - Taken on 08/03/74 First stage of the development of a new Broad at the rear of the UEA. (From Archive)IC012 UEA Being Built - Taken on 08/03/74 First stage of the development of a new Broad at the rear of the UEA. (From Archive) (Image: Archant)

Later on in the decade, some of its now iconic buildings, including the Ziggurats and the teaching wall, began to take shape.

Eastern Daily Press: Much progress is being made on the buildings for the University of East Anglia on the site at Earlham, NorwicH. The six verticle buildings shown are students' residence called Norfolk Terrace, 1960s. Picture: Archant libraryMuch progress is being made on the buildings for the University of East Anglia on the site at Earlham, NorwicH. The six verticle buildings shown are students' residence called Norfolk Terrace, 1960s. Picture: Archant library (Image: Newsquest)

Its famed creative writing course, then the first in the UK, was launched in 1971, while student newspaper Concrete opened in 1973, replacing a predecessor.

Eastern Daily Press: A new view of the University of East Anglia taken from the air by EEN photographer Charles Nicholas, 1968. Picture: Charles NicholasA new view of the University of East Anglia taken from the air by EEN photographer Charles Nicholas, 1968. Picture: Charles Nicholas (Image: Archant)

In 1978, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts opened its doors.

Eastern Daily Press: The University of East Anglia Law School. Picture: Archant libraryThe University of East Anglia Law School. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Chemestry facilities at the UEA, 10th December, 1964. Picture: Archant libraryChemestry facilities at the UEA, 10th December, 1964. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

MORE: What makes UEA so popular?

Eastern Daily Press: Maths and physics at the University of East Anglia. Picture: Archant libraryMaths and physics at the University of East Anglia. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Law class at the University of East Anglia, 1985. Picture: Archant libraryLaw class at the University of East Anglia, 1985. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

Thanks to its already strong reputation for climate change research, in 2000 the government chose UEA as its site for the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change.

Eastern Daily Press: Student residence at the Univeristy of East Anglia and the new biology building on the right, 1960s. Picture: Archant libraryStudent residence at the Univeristy of East Anglia and the new biology building on the right, 1960s. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

One year later, the Sportspark was built on site after a £14.5m grant from Sport England.

Eastern Daily Press: Students at the UEA throng the terraces, taking full advantage of the warm, spring-like sun. Picture: Archant libraryStudents at the UEA throng the terraces, taking full advantage of the warm, spring-like sun. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

In 2008, the £35m INTO building opened for international students.

Eastern Daily Press: The UEA bookshop, 22nd January, 1973. Picture: Archant libraryThe UEA bookshop, 22nd January, 1973. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

The university hit the headlines in 2009 after computer servers at the Climatic Research Unit were hacked, and stolen information was made public.

Eastern Daily Press: The bridge presented to the UEA, 21st May, 1979. Picture: Archant libraryThe bridge presented to the UEA, 21st May, 1979. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

In 2013, the university marked its 50th anniversary with a string of celebrations and in 2015, the campus played host to Radio 1's Big Weekend music event.

Eastern Daily Press: the University of East Anglia, 10th October, 1983. Picture: P.Hewittthe University of East Anglia, 10th October, 1983. Picture: P.Hewitt (Image: Newsquest)

So far this year, the Queen has visited the Sainsbury Centre, and sculptor Sir Anthony Gormley unveiled three statues on campus.