Established in 1965, the University of Kent has a proud track record of excellence in teaching and research and is ambitious to achieve more as it approaches its 60th anniversary. Kent offers degrees across a range of subjects including STEM, social sciences, humanities, business and the arts – encompassing everything from astrophysics to wildlife conservation.
Set on a hill overlooking the historic city of Canterbury, the largest of Kent’s two campuses is a beautiful green space with accommodation, teaching facilities and services such as shops, restaurants, bars, a nightclub and even a cinema, all on site. At Medway, the campus is a former naval base beside the river, cleverly reinvented as a 21st-century study space. Both campuses are around an hour by train from London and within easy reach of the coast and open countryside.
The university also has a postgraduate centre in Paris, which specialises in the arts and humanities.
Each campus at the university is equipped with contemporary facilities for academic learning and for recreation. Students will enjoy a well-rounded life while living on campus, including a healthy mix of learning, sporting opportunities, and social activities.
There are also excellent support services available to cater to any need, ensuring all students at the university can learn from a level playing field.
University of Kent students on Whatuni say:
“I have really enjoyed all the events that the Uni has to offer, as well as made many new friends here. I also enjoy studying on my course. The city centre is also really close and there’s quite a lot of things to do there.”
“Great learning environment with a scenic campus.”
“The university’s location is great, and overall the environment is very good. People are nice, student life is good and the courses and lectures are interesting and stimulating.”
On most courses at Kent, students study a mixture of compulsory and optional modules, allowing them to gain essential skills and knowledge while specialising in areas that interest them most. Lecturers are involved in active research, and the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) rated the majority of the research submitted by Kent as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
Hands-on experience is an important element of many degrees, whether it’s working at the Kent Law Clinic to support people in the local community or searching for forensic evidence in the crime scene house. On some courses students can choose elective modules from other degree subjects – there’s a wide range from learning a modern foreign language to how to set up a business.
Putting theory into practice is a great way to prepare for life after university, so on many degrees students can choose to spend a year in industry or professional practice. Another option is to add a ‘Year in …’ to a degree to broaden options after graduation. Current ‘Year in …’ options include computing, management, data analytics, journalism, television and online broadcasting, or a language.
Students keen to expand their horizons might like to study abroad. The ‘Go Abroad’ scheme has links with universities across Europe and around the world, including Japan, the USA, Singapore and Canada.
University of Kent students on Whatuni say:
“Lectures and seminars are quite helpful and all people in the department are so nice.”
“Lecturers are active researchers with so much experience they are happy to share and help us with.”
“The class sizes are great because there’s a lot of room for discussions.”
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSThe university considers applications from students holding a wide range of qualifications. On some degrees it’s possible to take a foundation year, which is an opportunity to reach the academic level required to start the first year of an undergraduate honours degree.
Students who do not speak English as their first language will need to demonstrate a minimum competency in English language, by submitting recognised test results. Details of each course’s language requirements can be found on the university website.
For international students, the international foundation programme provides a way for them to familiarise themselves with academic study in the UK and improve their English language skills, if necessary.
The entry requirements for each course on detailed on the university’s website, where students can also find out more about the university’s contextual admissions policy; this involves taking a more rounded view of an applicant’s achievement and potential than simply focusing on exam results.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORLiving in university accommodation is a great way for students to make friends and get to know their way around. Applicants who put Kent as their firm choice and apply before 30 June are guaranteed a room in their first year.
Rent includes all utility bills, wi-fi, a free 'Premium Plus’ sport membership, and insurance for personal possessions.
The Canterbury campus has a wide range of accommodation, from shared flats and houses to traditional colleges or modern en-suite rooms.
Medway campus accommodation is available at Pier Quays. All rooms are en suite with access to a spacious shared kitchen.
University of Kent students on Whatuni say:
“Meeting new people and making new friends is the best part of staying here.”
“I am staying in an En suite room with part catered package and I am very content with my accommodation.”
"The uni halls were great to meet new people and perfect for being on campus."
The university has excellent academic and social facilities at all of its locations.
Academic facilities include the Templeman Library at Canterbury and the Drill Hall Library at Medway, which are both home to large collections of books, journals, specialist databases, and study spaces.
At the Canterbury campus, first-year students and those living in accommodation booked through the university are automatically given free membership to Kent Sport, meaning they can get involved from the day they arrive.
Students studying in Medway or living in Pier Quays booked through the university can instead choose a Medway Park membership, including gym access, fitness classes, an athletics track and swimming.
University of Kent students on Whatuni say:
“The library is a wonderful place to study because it opens 24/7 and there are some silent places so I feel so comfortable to study and can focus on the studies.”
“Nice campus with lots of different places to work and socialise.”
“The large library acts as a social hub for people.”
Find out more about the accommodations and facilities in person at the uni.
BOOK OPEN DAYWhat's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 1684 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWE Ethan Reviewed 25 Oct 23 I really enjoy the course I am but could be improved with better student support for... READ FULL REVIEW
I Isabelle Reviewed 21 Oct 23 Business and Management BSc (Hons) I am really fond of Kent University! The fact it is a campus university really appeals to me and the business school facilities are amazing! Nice modern buildings and lots of experiences outside of just study. As a student who transferred into second year after completing my first year at another... READ FULL REVIEW
Student support is available both from the university and from the student union. For students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, long-term health conditions, autism and physical disabilities, the student support and wellbeing service can help to arrange tailored learning plans, mentors, access to assistive technology and funding.
The wellbeing team offers free and confidential support for students with emotional or mental health issues. Whatever issues students may be having, there are support services designed to ensure they can get the help they need to overcome them, and focus on getting the most from their time at the university.
The student union also offers an advice service and a buddy scheme. All students are assigned an academic adviser who is there to support and encourage their academic development. Academic peer mentors are fellow students who can help with specific aspects of a course. Students can also get help with academic skills such as numeracy, essay writing and how to tackle research.
University of Kent students on Whatuni say:
“The student support is amazing, with lots of focus on employability.”
“The staff are really nice and helpful.”
“I like how the university care about student’s well-being”
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEThe University of Kent has a reputation for world-leading research, reinforced by its outstanding results in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. This means new Kent students are joining a community that pushes boundaries, that is ambitious, innovative and intent on making a positive difference to people’s lives.
At Kent, students learn from leading thinkers whose work informs their teaching. Lecturers inspire them to open their minds, push the boundaries of their subject and exchange ideas with confidence. Students are introduced to cutting-edge knowledge and have every opportunity to test new theories and even contribute to regional, national or international change.
Kent’s courses are designed to give students options while they’re at university and after they graduate. One example is elective modules, which allow students to study from different subject areas, giving them a fresh perspective and a new way of thinking. Students may study philosophy but also want to learn about film theory. Or, they could choose to study English while trying their hand at beginners Latin.
Kent builds real-world experience into students’ degree, with facilities that mirror those they will encounter in industry, to ensure they hit the ground running and have a real advantage in the graduate world.
All Kent students become members of Kent Union; those at Medway can also become members of The Hub, which represents students from all three universities on the Medway campus.
Student unions provide services such as campus shops, student hubs, the advice team, and JobShop, where part-time jobs are listed.
University of Kent students on Whatuni say:
“University makes you feel comfortable and part of something bigger through different events and activities.”
“I love the student life here, and I don't want to leave!”
“The best aspect is the location - I am in love with the city of Canterbury, it is the perfect balance of modern facilities and aesthetic sights.”
Both Kent Union (Canterbury) and The Hub (Medway) offer a huge range of clubs and societies – from Adventure Gaming to American Football; Musical Theatre to Mountaineering; K-pop Dance to Korfball. Faith, politics, community action, LGBTQ+ communities, and national cultures.
Canterbury
Canterbury is a fascinating place to live. Historic with medieval alleyways, cobbled streets and a world-famous cathedral, it’s also contemporary – with cafés, pubs, rooftop bars, independent shops, restaurants, a theatre and cinemas.
In the nearby coastal towns of Whitstable and Margate, students will find beaches, water sports and boutique shops.
Medway
Medway is a great place to study, with fantastic transport links and lots to do in the local towns of Rochester and Chatham. Students can explore the area’s history, relaxing in the cafés, bars and restaurants, or having a night out at one of the local theatres or cinemas.
See the campus and city for yourself in person by booking an open day place.
BOOK OPEN DAYThere are many different ways for students to give themselves a head start in the job market while studying at Kent.
With the ‘Employability Points’ scheme, students earn points for taking part in a wide range of activities, such as joining a sports team or society, getting a part-time job, supporting fellow students as a mentor or taking part in careers workshops. They can then exchange points for employment-related rewards, which can be anything from work shadowing to a summer internship.
The ‘Study Plus’ programme offers skills development workshops to prepare students for the workplace and enhance their employability. The ‘Business Start-up Journey’ is available to students of any subject. They’ll learn how to come up with a great business idea, work out how to finance it, and then pitch to potential investors.
The careers and employability team provide expert advice to help students find the career path that’s right for them, as well as support with job-hunting, CVs and preparing for interviews. If students are looking for part-time work while they’re at uni, Kent Union’s JobShop is the place to start the search.
The university provides financial support in various ways. Students who are eligible for the Kent Financial Support Package receive support throughout their course; in 2022 this provided £1,500 for the first year of undergraduate study and £1,000 per year for up to three years thereafter. Care leavers, carers or students who are particularly financially vulnerable in other ways can apply for tailored financial support packages.
If students achieve high grades in their A levels or equivalent exams, they may be eligible for the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. If a student excels at a sport or music, they could apply for a scholarship to help them make the most of their talent, no matter what degree subject they are studying.
Students can find out more about the many scholarships and bursaries available and the eligibility criteria on the university website.
Here are the fees for the next academic year:
UK students per year: £9,250
International students per year: from £13,500 (full time)
Who better to speak to about a university than someone who studies there? Connect with them directly through our partner Unibuddy and get their honest opinions and advice on anything from courses to student life.
Ask them about the uni, student life or anything else.
Many courses at University of Kent offer an opportunity to do a work placement or sandwich year. These opportunities will help you develop your employability skills, and the careers department is also on hand to offer personal support.
As well as a wide range of courses on offer, University of Kent also has loads of clubs and societies you can join during your studies. Joining societies is just one of the many ways you can tailor your experience at University of Kent to suit you.
With a degree in a subject you love, you'll find more doors opening to jobs you'll love. Studies have also shown that graduates earn more on average compared to non-graduates.
If you want to continue to pursue education, you'll be able to progress to postgraduate study once you've got your undergraduate degree. You could opt to study a master's, or even get a PhD.
Living in uni halls means you'll have access to communal areas including kitchen and dining facilities. These facilities offer you plenty of opportunity to socialise with the students you're living with.
You'll also find all bills are included in your rent, and yes, that includes WiFi. Rent also covers security and maintenance. There are accessible rooms available in halls that have been adapted for disabled students.
