Canterbury truly is a gem of a city, nestled within the beautiful southeastern county of Kent. It’s one of the most visited places in the UK and, as a student, you’ll get to see a whole different side of things. The city is alive with opportunity and adventures, in which you can write your own Canterbury tales. Our guide breaks down some of the best the city has to offer, and we share with you our top tips for getting the most out of your experience.
- Student activities in Canterbury
- Nightlife in Canterbury
- Student accommodation in Canterbury
- Transport in Canterbury
- Student costs in Canterbury
- What Canterbury is famous for
- Universities in Canterbury
Student activities in Canterbury
Besides the many clubs and societies that the universities organise, their many sports teams, and the student life that surrounds them, Canterbury offers a wide programme of cultural activities and attractions to keep yourself busy with during your downtime.
One of the more unique ways to experience the city is by water. The River Stour runs serenely through the centre of town and it’s a wonderful place for a walk, to relax and unwind after a long day’s study. You can rent a boat, pack a picnic, and punt your way along on a sunny afternoon and see all the main sights.
Read our top 10 student things to do in Canterbury.
Nightlife in Canterbury
Canterbury has a compact yet lively student nightlife scene which largely revolves around the town centre, making it easy to hop around from one place to the next. There is no shortage of pubs, bars and clubs, and some of our favourite spots include:
The Parrot - A piece of living history, The Parrot is surely Canterbury’s oldest drinking establishment. It was founded way back in the 1300s and is still alive and well today. Imagine 14th century decor, with a top selection of ales, beers and ciders.
Lady Luck Bar - It’s late, it’s live and it’s loud. Canterbury’s premier rock ’n’ roll bar has a fantastic line-up of bands and an impressive sound system to match. A top local choice, be sure to investigate their upcoming events.
Club Chemistry - Now this is the place to be if you’re looking to dance the night away. Club Chemistry has three floors to party on and provides a slick underground clubbing experience, with international artists performing at the weekend and student nights organised during the week.
Student accommodation in Canterbury
For your first year, you’ll probably be staying in university-owned halls of residences. At the University of Kent, a single self-catered room will cost between £129 – £295 per week, depending on size and location options. At Canterbury Christ Church University prices vary between £124 – £200 per week. In each case, all utilities bills are included and the contract length is conveniently matched to your academic year.
After first year, you’ll need to source accommodation from the local rental market. You can expect to pay around £1,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the middle of town, and this price drops once you move out of the city centre. If you’d prefer to live with friends, a three-bedroom apartment averages £1,700 in the centre, or £1,425 outside of the centre, so you’ll save a significant amount of money by flat sharing. Don’t forget to factor in utilities bills, which are fairly high in Canterbury, and could be up to £90 per person per month.
Transport in Canterbury
Not only is Canterbury easy to get around on foot, but its cobbled streets, green spaces, and historic architecture make it a pleasure to walk through. It’s easy to cycle around too, and your uni will have plenty of adequate lockable cycle stations to keep your bike safe.
Public transport is also very straightforward, and there is a regular bus route operating between both uni campuses and the town centre. We recommend getting a monthly pass, which will save you quite a bit of money if you’re planning on using the buses daily, and remember to apply your student discount for further savings.
Student costs in Canterbury
First things first, you’re studying a course at uni, and this requires funding. Exactly how much depends on the specifics of your course, although at undergraduate level this is very likely to be set at £9,250 per year (this will be rising to £9,535 from the 2025/26 academic year). Most people take out a tuition fee loan from Student Finance to cover this, because it is not repayable until you are graduated and securely earning a salary.
Groceries are a weekly expense you’ll also need to budget for, particularly since average prices in Canterbury are high. You can undercut this average however, by shopping at low-cost supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl, or wholesale outlets on the edge of town. The average weekly grocery expense for UK students is £44, so use this as a guideline and you’ll be able to keep things within a reasonable budget.
Learn more about the cost of living in Canterbury.
What Canterbury is famous for
This one is hard to miss. Canterbury Cathedral is, of course, the emblem of the city. Etched into history since its establishment in the early 7th century, this iconic building is the ecclesiastical centre of England and has been offering daily prayers for more than 1,400 years. Tours are available and it’s well worth taking a few hours to check it out. The Cathedral attracts pilgrims from all around the world, and hosts regular services and events.
Universities in Canterbury
The University of Kent was founded in 1965 and is now one of the most dynamic universities in the country. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and has a population of around 19,000 students. The university is widely known for its outstanding student support, winning national awards for the academic and personal support services which its students have access to.
Learn more about the University of Kent.
Canterbury Christ Church University is a similarly sized university which is rapidly rising through the ranks on a national level. Its community of 18,000 students benefit from world-class medical and creative arts facilities, and the university is undergoing a multi-million pound investment which includes a new centre for science, technology, and health and engineering subjects.
Learn more about Canterbury Christ Church University.
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