University of Kent

The University of Kent is a leading research-intensive university. It has two main campuses in Canterbury and Medway, a part-time study centre in Tonbridge and postgraduate centres in Athens, Brussels, Paris and Rome. There are many opportunities to study, work and travel across Europe, and many of the programmes offer dual UK and European qualifications.

Kent is consistently ranked as offering one of the best student experiences in the UK, they achieved the 4th highest score for overall satisfaction in the 2016 National Student Survey.

Kent’s academics produce world-leading research and lead the way in many fields of study.  They were ranked 17th in the UK for research intensity in the Research Excellence Framework which confirmed their position as one of the UK's leading research universities. All academic schools were found to be engaged in research of international and world-class standing.

Kent offers a wide range of excellent courses, spanning the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities at its Canterbury and Medway campuses. There are three faculties at Kent, comprising of 18 academic schools and 3 academic centres. It has a welcoming environment and a cosmopolitan community with students of all ages and nationalities.

Over the last six years, the university has been awarded two Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education.  Facilities across the campuses include a cinema, a music performing centre, a gallery, sports halls and a nightclub.

Kent was awarded gold, the highest rating, in the UK Government's Teaching Excellence Framework. They consistently perform well for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey and were placed 18th in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2017.

Students say:

“University, for me, was very daunting at first. Moving to a different city away from everyone I knew and having so much responsibility plonked on my lap was very nerve-wracking. However, within a few short weeks I was in full swing at uni. I have made some amazing friends, shared some amazing experiences with them, received some great first grades, and thoroughly enjoyed myself along the way. No matter how much of a challenge uni can be, it's really rewarding and so much fun.”

“Great, did undergrad and postgrad here and have really enjoyed it. Met good people, came to like Canterbury and has been a good environment for my studies. Will probably move on after this but have met great staff and peers who I know would be happy to support me.”

“Good, the course is fun and the facilities at the university are strong (especially study abroad programme, one of the most comprehensive I've seen). The campus is lovely and the city is nice.”

A Careers and Employability Service is available at both campuses (in Canterbury and Medway). Services on offer include visits from graduates and employers, one-to-one careers advice and jobs fairs. You will also be able to get help putting together a CV and cover letter, and practice interview questions with an advisor.

When it comes to employment, you will be able to find listings for part- time work on the online Jobshop, while a Facebook and Twitter page regularly post details of current events, volunteering and internship opportunities. In our reviews, students said they find it easy to find part-time work opportunities in Canterbury and they feel confident about their future.

A number of the courses also include a ‘wild’ module, including the option to take the Enterprise module too, where you will learn the art of setting up a business.

Students say:

“We have a jobshop which provides us with jobs available in the area which are suitable for students and fit timetable. We also have employability fairs and the chance to do years in industry.”

“CV checks, employability fairs (with companies that do grad schemes), does offer work placements and there are jobs that are specifically for the uni.”

“Loads of courses you can take, people you can talk to, careers fairs throughout the year”

Most of the courses at the university require you to study a mixture of compulsory and optional modules, providing you with the essential skills and knowledge, as well as specialising in subjects that interest you the most. You can also customise your programme by taking a ‘wild’ module, something which is available on many of the courses. Most of the courses are also available to study on a part -time basis, enabling you to study alongside other commitments.

There is also the option to incorporate a work placement, where you will be able to gain practical experience. And if exploring the world is more your thing, you will have the opportunity to study abroad for part of your degree too.

Typically, you will be tested through exams, essays, group work and projects, while teaching methods include lectures, seminars and workshops. Our student reviews have revealed great satisfaction with the lecturers, many of whom record their lectures for you to access online.

Students say:

“Very helpful lecturers, friendly too, lots of help available if needed”

“It is interesting and even if sometimes it seems to be too challenging that makes it even better”

“My course is very interesting. My lectures are good too. The best thing is that they're very engaging and they make sure you understand the concepts”

The Students’ Union is led by five elected full-time officers, and is overseen by a Trustee Board. There is also a separate union for students at Medway in partnership with the University of Greenwich Students’ Union – making up the Greenwich and Kent Students’ Unions Together (GK Unions). Students have praised the organised running of the union and the range of activities on offer. Overall, they felt that their needs were catered for.

Students say:

“Innovative and creative when it comes to developing events for student engagement”

“I am only slightly involved and from what I’ve seen it works really well. They are always there to help with any problems we have and promote society events.”

“They do a great job at representing the students and managing the many societies on campus.”

The university has accommodation at both campuses, and offers a room to all first-year students who select Kent as their first choice and apply by 31st July. Rooms are in flats, houses or in one of the colleges, and include Wi-Fi, utility charges and content insurance.

The Canterbury campus is set within 300 acres of parkland, and over half of the bedrooms have an en-suite bathroom. You will be able to choose between being in a self-catered flat, or one of the following catered packages:

Bed and Bistro - Breakfast during weekdays and dinner every evening
Bed and Breakfast –Just breakfast, or ‘bed and flex’, which provides you with a food allowance to spend across the eight venues on campus.

Students studying at Medway live at Liberty Quays and will be situated on the riverbank and within walking distance to the university.  Accommodation here consists of flats of 5 – 8 students, and all rooms are en-suite. On site, there is a retail plaza with all the essentials, including a Tesco Express, Domino’s Pizza and Subway.

Overall, students have praised the facilities and value for money, as well as the convenience of living near to town and the universities.  

Students say:

“My accommodation is really nice, it's all been newly done up. has a huge kitchen with two ovens and two fridges. Cleaners come once a week so is kept clean.”

“I live in university flats on campus. They were re-done over summer so are modern and tastefully decorated.”

“I live in halls of residence that is managed by a private company but is linked with the University of Kent. It is spacious, modern, and within a 15-minute walk from the university campus, as well as having on-site shops. The kitchen and bedroom facilities are maintained up to a good standard and there is a general sense of community within the halls.”

Students across both campuses have described the facilities as “awesome” and “top of the range”, with the library and sports facilities being particularly popular.

The Canterbury campus has a number of food outlets  for you to enjoy when craving some home cooked food. These include a Tex Mex bistro, a pizza bar and a Mediterranean restaurant. While a number of cafes and snack bars, and an online lunch service prove popular. There is also:

• A bookshop
• Convenience store serving food until 3am
• Pharmacy
• Several launderettes
• The student nightclub
• The Gulbenkian Arts Centre which contains a café, cinema and theatre

There is also a sports centre, with a fitness suite, sports pitches and an outdoor tennis centre. When it comes to studying, the library boasts over 500 study spaces, a café, silent study zones and an impressive collection of archives and manuscripts. 

The Medway campus is home to CARGO, which holds regular live music acts. There are also a number of cafes around the campus and Coopers, which is the main social hub on the campus, complete with pool tables and wide screen TVs. Medway Park also offers modern sports facilities, including sports halls, pools, squash courts and athletics tracks. A 24/7 library is stocked with books, journals and electronic resources, with over 400 computers and a large range of open study zones. The library is also open 24 hours a day during exam time.

The part- time study centre in Tonbridge also has a large library, containing over a million books, DVDs, videos and audiotapes. It also boasts a number of PCs and study areas for you to use.

Students say:

“Very good. Our library is partly brand new and there are a lot of study hubs all over campus with 24 hour access”

“Gym is great. Library is in the process of being revamped but is also great, easy filing system with all the books I have needed and helpful staff. Open 24 hours too. Loads of nice shops and cafes on campus.”

“They are all amazing from the library, to the sports centre and all the restaurants”

Canterbury

Canterbury is a cathedral city full of culture and heritage. Students have praised the Unibus – which runs between the campus and the city centre and say they feel very safe. 

You can enjoy river tours, theatre trips and museums during the day, while plenty of traditional pubs, student bars and clubs are open until the early hours, holding a range of student events most weeknights. Each year, Canterbury hosts its own summer festival, which has seen the likes of Example and Bastille headline. There is a range of high street and independent shops, a cinema, and quaint cafes serving afternoon tea. The coastal town of Whitstable is nearby, where you will find beaches, water sports, and a number of boutique shops. If you feel like exploring further, trains run regularly to London, which is just over an hour away.

Medway

The Medway campus is a five minutes’ walk away from a cinema and shops, while the Chatham town centre is home to a number of theatres, galleries, bars, pubs and restaurants. While students say there isn’t much in the way of nightlife, the Unibus offers free travel to Canterbury. Medway Student Activities also organises trips to London clubs and varies day trips. For those who enjoy sports, there is an ice rink, ski slope, go karting park and indoor roller skating rink in the town, while nearby country parks are perfect for walking and cycling in the warmer weather. 

Students say:

“Canterbury is such an amazing city. There's so many bars/pubs/restaurants in town so there's always something to do. Canterbury is also a very safe city, I have never once felt threatened.”

“Great- culturally significant but also vibrant and lively”

“The city of Canterbury is a beautiful, historic city which I am happy to call my part-time home. The endless shops, restaurants and cafes are always a treat to visit, and the view of Canterbury Cathedral is a lovely backdrop. The nightlife in Town is also amazing, with lots of different clubs and bars to choose from.”

The Students’ Union runs a range of societies for you to enjoy, including the Art Society, the Hip Hop Society, the Cooking Society and the Kent Fashion Society. Students who have joined have been happy with the range of societies on offer, and praised the welcoming nature of the current members.

The location of the university has made it possible to have water sports clubs, such as sailing and windsurfing, as well as rowing, swimming, golf, boxing, caving and mountaineering – to name but a few.

Students say:

“Affordable and entertaining”

“Really good, I'm really satisfied of the clubs and societies I'm in. They are really supportive and always ready to help you”

“There is an abundance of clubs and societies for all interests.”

Both sites have various support teams available to make sure your time at the university is as stress – free as possible. Our student reviews have shown overall satisfaction at the services on offer and rated them in the top ten for student satisfaction, and said they found the support helpful and friendly.

The Wellbeing Team offers a confidential counselling service, where you can go along and talk about any problems you might be facing, academic or personal. The Student Support Team for students with learning difficulties offers consultations to help with your specific needs. There is a nursery for children under the age of five, a Chaplaincy and an on – site Medical Centre. You will also be allocated a supervisor during your time at the university, who will be able to help you with any academic queries you may have.

The university placed 18th in this category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2017.

Students say:

“Seems to be good, if needed. It was especially prolific during the first term, which was great.”

“They say you can email them whenever and you can book in for learning support and counselling sessions etc easily.”

“Good on the whole, and if you have any problems, lecturers are happy to help in their spare time”

UK students per year: £9,250

International students per year: £13,340 

There are over 80 scholarships and bursaries on offer to undergraduate students. To see the full list, head to their website. Here are just a few of them:

Kent Financial Support Package
A financial support package of £5,500 is available for full time students paying the maximum tuition fee (subject to eligibility criteria).

Loyalty discount - exclusively for Kent graduates
10% discount on the first year of tuition fees is awarded to students who are siblings, children and spouses of alumni at the university.

Money For Books Scholarship
£250 in the form of book vouchers is awarded to two students – who are chosen through an application process.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
£2,000 per year is awarded to students who achieve AAA at A level, or AAB for students who have studied Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language (and other specified equivalents, check website for details).

Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarships
£2,000 is awarded to students who are applying to study abroad for the year. Applicants must obtain a minimum of AAB and submit an essay. 

Economics

The department aims to teach you academic theories, as well as giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills to enhance your career opportunities. A year in industry is available, and the school will be able to help find you a suitable placement.

History of Art

The History of Art programme was ranked 2nd for graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2016. The course offers a number of optional modules, which include Surrealism and Art and Film. You will also have the opportunity to undertake an internship in the local area. 

To study Economics at undergraduate level, you will be looking at achieving A levels at ABB or above – or BBB if Mathematics is included. You will also need a B or above at GCSE.

For students wanting to get a place on the History of Art course, you will need to have BBB at A levels, and attend an interview.