People from across the region will be invited to the event which will include a free community activity day and an outdoor concert by a world-famous act.

In the last five decades, UEA has achieved international acclaim and been acknowledged as one of the ten best universities in the world under 50 years of age.

More than 100,000 students have graduated from the university in that time, and as an institution it has made a powerful cultural, social and economic impact on Norwich, Norfolk and the region – attracting to the Norwich Research Park some of Britain’s key research institutes and a major university hospital.

Next year marks UEA’s 50th anniversary and there will be special events throughout 2013. The centrepiece of the celebrations will be the festival weekend on September 28 and 29, featuring hands-on activities and theatre, music and comedy. There will also be street performers, a world food market and talks by illustrious UEA alumni.

A concert and fairground by the university Broad will take place in the evening of September 28, with the mystery headline act announced next year.

Other highlights during the anniversary year will include an exhibition of East Anglian art at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Drawn from major collections, ‘Masterpieces: Art and East Anglia’ will showcase the array of masterworks the region has inspired, produced and collected, as well as treasures that have been long associated with the area, and demonstrate its importance in a national and international context.

There will also be a display of artwork by former UEA professor Howard Temperley at Norwich Cathedral, a series of concerts by the university’s choirs and orchestras, and an exhibition at the Forum showcasing the university’s areas of excellence and its impact on local communities over the last fifty years.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Edward Acton said: “I am delighted to announce the plans for the university’s 50th anniversary.

“This will be a celebration of all that UEA has achieved both nationally and internationally, and all that it has to offer – to students, staff, alumni and the local community as a whole.

“It was the support of people in this region that led to the establishment of the university in 1963, and we continue to work with local people and organisations to our mutual benefit.

“I hope to welcome the widest range of people possible to all our anniversary events – to see the university welcome back old friends and make new ones. With such a variety on offer, I am sure there will be something to interest everyone.”

More details about the events will be released over the coming months. Further information can be found at www.uea.ac.uk/50years.