The University of Chichester can trace its origins back to 1839. In the early part of the 19th century, there was considerable debate about the role of church and state in university education.In 1828 students were accepted for the first secular university institution in the country, which later became University College London. In response, it was felt that London needed another university institution where the role of the Church would be formally recognised. In 1829 King's College London was established, with William Otter as its first Principal. The West Sussex Institute of Higher Education was formed in 1977 as a result of the merger between the two colleges (Bishop Otter College and the Bognor Regis College of Education) it was a single institution of higher education, which allowed the two colleges to retain some of their traditions and identity. Initially, degrees were awarded by Sussex and Southampton Universities, but the Institute moved to a single degree awarding body, the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) and then with the demise of the Council, the Institute became an accredited college of the University of Southampton, awarding Southampton degrees.