Author Archives: Allie Burnett

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Are you a Masters student? Have your say

The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is an opportunity for Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students to provide feedback on their academic experiences at Kent.

What is it?

PTES is a national survey coordinated by Advance HE, the national body for improving teaching and learning in universities.

It is an opportunity for Masters students to let us know about their experiences so far. PTES is the only national survey of Masters-level students, so it helps build an understanding of experiences across the country too.

When is it?

PTES 2024 will open from Monday 4 March 2024, and you will have until Tuesday 30 April 2024 to complete the survey.

Please check your University of Kent email for your own survey link.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. However, we do recommend you take the time to consider your answers and reflect on your whole experience at Kent.

Why should I take part?

This is your chance to tell us your thoughts about your course and experience. The results from the PTES will help us make changes that will improve what we do in the future and to keep doing the things that are important to taught students. It will also help us compare how we are doing against other institutions and what themes are trending nationally.

Top tips to help you complete your survey 

  • Check your Kent email for your own survey link
  • Allow yourself plenty of time to complete the survey
  • You can save your survey and return to it at a later time. Make sure you complete the survey before 23:59 on Tuesday 30 April
  • If you are unsure about the meaning of a specific question, save your questionnaire and seek help
  • If a question does not apply to you, then please leave blank or mark as ‘Not applicable’
  • Where the term “course” or “programme” is used in the questionnaire, this refers to your whole programme of study at Kent
  • All answers are anonymous, therefore please do not identify yourself or other individuals (including staff)

 

More information about the PTES is available on the Advance HE website.

student looking at laptop

View your exam timetable

If you have exams at Kent in May/June 2024, you can now view your exam timetable in KentVision.

See how to view your exam timetable.

Get exams ready

There’s loads of free events and support to get you ready for exams this year, including:

📚 Revision and exam prep sessions from your School and the Student Learning Advisory Service.

🌈 Wellbeing events and support from our Student Support and Wellbeing Team.

💻 Library and IT resources to help with your studies and revision.

❔ If you have any questions about exams, your Divisional Team is on hand to help or you can email exams@kent.ac.uk

See all exams support and guidance

flowers on campus

Events roundup: 25 – 31 March

Find out what’s on this week including exam preparation events, ways to destress and Canterbury Varsity – Go Team Kent! 

It is also a bank holiday weekend from Friday 29 March until Monday 1 April, with many of the University services either closed or on reduced hours. See bank holiday opening hours.  

Monday 25 March: Exam prep, Holi celebrations (Medway) and Blind Date with a Book 

Feeling worried about exams? Join this online workshop focused on exam techniques and managing stress.   

At Medway campus you can join Holi celebrations to enjoy colour throwing and an after party at The Deep End.  

Try a blind date with a book in Templeman Library! Bring your own pre-loved book and wrap it and decorate it. Then choose another wrapped up book to take home with you and enjoy.  

Tuesday 26 March: Career Action Plan, part-time jobs (Medway) and Exam Room Experience 

In your final year? Join this online event to reflect and help you make decisions about your career action plan after you graduate 

Do you need some guidance finding a part-time job? Join this event in Pilkington building, Medway, to find out more about different part-time work options and where to find them.

You can also meet some cute spring animals at the Hub on Tuesday!  

If the idea of an in-person exam makes you feel stressed, why not try out an exam room experience in Canterbury to help you ease your anxieties. Explore your own stress response to exams and learn techniques in how to deal with them.  

Wednesday 27 March: Women’s Business Market, Exam Room Experience (Medway) and launch of FACE X HORNIMAN exhibition 

As part of Women’s History Month, Kent Union is running a Women’s Business Market in the plaza. Come along and explore a wide variety of women-led student businesses.  

If the idea of an in-person exam makes you feel nervous, why not try out an exam room experience in Medway to help ease your anxieties. This is an opportunity for you to experience what it is like to take an ‘exam’, explore your own stress response to exams and learn techniques in how to deal with them.  

As part of #Black365, March 2024 sees the launch of FACE X HORNIMAN: Hair Stories exhibition in Keynes. FACE and the Horniman Museum explores and celebrates the influence, importance and personal narratives attached to hair from Black, Brown and Asian perspectives within the UK. Join us at the launch of the exhibition for an evening of art, culture and Jamaican pasties and tropical juice.  

Thursday 28 March: Relaxation sessions (Medway) and Easter Pub Quiz 

On Thursday you can enjoy some relaxation sessions at The Hub. Choose from a 15-minute back massage or a gel manicure.  

Test your knowledge, enjoy good company, and win exciting prizes at the Mungo’s Easter Pub Quiz 

See more student events.
 

Opportunities and reminders 

  • Online Module Registration (OMR) is open for students to choose undergraduate modules for the next academic year. OMR closes at 9:00 on Tuesday 2 April.  
  • Looking for an elective module that will provide you with leadership skills and develop your Global Citizenship?  Go for GOLD5000.

See more student opportunities

4 students sitting cross legged on the grass under a tree, two of them are looking at phones

Spring Break 2024: Opening Times

During the spring vacation period, which is from 6 April to 6 May, most of the University’s services are still available, some with amended opening hours. Many are closed on the national bank holidays, which are Friday 29 March, Monday 1 April and Monday 6 May.

Here’s a list of services and opening times:

  • Borrow books and study: Templeman Library at Canterbury opening times, and Drill Hall Library at Medway opening times 
  • Ask Nexus: From 6 April – 5 May, Nexus is open Monday – Friday 09:00 – 19:00, Saturdays 12:00-18:00 and closed on Sundays. Nexus will be closed for the Bank Holiday weekend Fri 29 March – Mon 1 April.
  • Food and drink on campus: Canterbury catering opening times will be different during the Spring Break. See vacation opening times for catering outlets on the Canterbury campus.
  • Support: Student Support and Wellbeing reception remains open 09:00-17:00 throughout the Spring break, apart from national bank holidays. You can also get in the moment support and counselling from our telephone, text and app for wellbeing support and activities 24/7 from our wellbeing partners Spectrum Life
  • Exam preparation and study support: The Student Learning Advisory Service remains open throughout the Spring break, apart from: national bank holidays, 10:00-13:00 on 11 April and 10:00-16:00 on 18 April. You can book face-to-face and online appointments on all areas of study support, including exam preparation.
  • Reception areas: Some receptions will be operating on different opening hours during the vacation. See reception opening hours.
  • Sport and exercise: You can still use facilities and join classes over the break. Please note there will be reduced hours on bank holidays. Check out Kent Sport opening hours.
  • Kent Union services and outlets: See Kent Union’s services and outlets opening times.
  • Campus Shuttle: The Campus Shuttle will run a reduced service on Friday 29 March, Monday 1 April and Monday 6 May. Aside from these dates, the shuttle will operate to the usual timetable during term-time only. See Campus Shuttle timetable.
  • Careers advice and activity: The Careers and Employability Service remains open 09:00-17:00 throughout the Spring break (apart from the national bank holidays), so you can continue to book appointments and work on your career.

And of course, Campus Security staff are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We wish you a restful break!

You will need photo ID to vote at a polling station on 2 May

You will need photo ID to vote on 2 May

On Thursday 2 May 2024, the Police and Crime Commissioner elections are taking place.

If you are not already registered, the deadline to register to vote is Tuesday 16 April 2024. The easiest way to register is online.

At these elections, you will need to bring photo ID to be able to vote at your polling station (the name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote). NUS cards are not accepted.

If you don’t have an accepted form of ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply is 17:00 on Wednesday 24 April 2024.

Alternatively email Electoral Services at electoral.services@canterbury.gov.uk or call Electoral Services on 01227 862 007.

Take the NSS today

Time is running out to have your say

Time is running out for final year undergraduates to complete the National Student Survey (NSS) and have your say on what you liked or didn’t like about studying at Kent.

Fill in the NSS now

The NSS: what you need to know
Kent Union President Zaid shares why you should fill in the NSS and why we want your feedback. Watch the video now.

🎓 NSS is mainly open to final year undergraduates.

📣The University and Kent Union value your feedback and the NSS is one of the most powerful ways to have your say.

🔒The survey is completely anonymous and confidential. It is run by Ipsos, an independent research agency.

📧Ipsos will continue to email, text and call you until you complete it. 

🕕The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. However, please take the time to consider your answers and reflect on your whole experience at Kent.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-24 March) is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.  

What is Neurodiversity? 

Neurodiversity is about recognising that everyone’s brain works differently. 

Neurodiversity is based on the concept that neurological variances should be recognised and respected just like any other human variation, such as gender, race or sexual orientation.

Some of the different ways of thinking, learning, interacting and perceiving the world have been given labels, such as: 

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
  • Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) 
  • Dyslexia 
  • Dyspraxia 
  • Dyscalculia 
  • Tourette’s Syndrome

Neurological differences in the way that our brains are wired means that you may find some things challenging that others find easy. You may also find things easy that other people find challenging. 

Around 15-20% of all the people in the world are thought to have a neurodivergence. No two people will experience this in the same way. 

There are lots of famous and successful people who are neurodivergent, including Will.i.am, Ryan Gosling, Greta Thunberg, Daniel Radcliffe, Bill Gates and Billie Eilish.

Neurodiversity support and resources at Kent:  

Upcoming events: 

Careers Fair

Events roundup: 18 – 24 March

Find out what’s on this week including the Spring Careers Fair, Life After Uni Week, exam support events and fun trips.  

Online Module Registration (OMR) for UG students opens at 9:00 on Monday. Choose the modules you want to study for 2024/25. You will receive an email when OMR is open. OMR is not first come first served.  

Monday 18 March: Inspiring Women Exhibition, Life After Uni Week events and wellbeing walk (Medway) 

For Women’s History Month, the Women’s Network, Kent Union and Templeman Library have come together to create an Inspiring Women Exhibition. The exhibition is launching on Monday and will be open for a month.  

Life After Uni Week kicks off on Monday with a range of events including a drop-in advice session with Career Advisors in Templeman Library Café, how to get started with LinkedIn (online) and how the careers service can help you if you are graduating soon (online).  

On Monday lunchtime, take a break and go for a Wellbeing Walk at Medway around St Mary’s Island.  

Tuesday 19 March: Spring Careers Fair, Coffee with a Security Officer and LGBTQIA+ Student Voices Coffee Morning 

Meet employers at the Spring Careers Fair in the Concert Hall, Colyer-Fergusson between 9:00-15:00. Many of the employers are from the local region.  

All students welcome to come and chat with one of our friendly Campus Security Officers each Tuesday lunchtime in the Gulbenkian. Talk all things security at Kent and get a free cup of coffee or tea to enjoy while you chat.  

Join the LGBTQIA+ Student Voices Coffee Morning at Woody’s to join student researchers Ellie and Shagun, and other like-minded folks, to chat about your experiences, concerns and ideas over a nice hot drink and some sweet treats. The aim of the student-led projects is to find out how Kent can work to improve experiences for LGBTQIA+ students. 

Wednesday 20 March: Free LinkedIn photos, exam room experience and Year In introduction talks 

Do you want a more professional LinkedIn photo? On Wednesday, Matt Cook Photography is offering a LinkedIn Headshot drop in, free of charge.  

If the idea of an in-person exam makes you feel stressed, why not try out an exam room experience in Canterbury to help you know what to expect and ease your anxieties. This is an opportunity for you to experience what it is like to take an ‘exam’, explore your own stress response to exams and learn techniques in how to deal with them. See all exam support events 

Are you considering taking a “Year In”? It’s an opportunity for students to take a year in a different subject between stage 2 and stage 3 or after stage 3. On Wednesday afternoon you can attend Year In introduction talks in your preferred subject and find out if a Year In could be right for you.  

On 20 March, you have the chance to showcase your business at the ASPIRE Pop up Market in Sibson Atrium. To secure a free stall contact ASPIRE@kent.ac.uk

Thursday 21 March: Second-hand book tour, Postgraduate Study, effective revision and tote bag painting 

Love reading? Join ResLife Ambassador Lissy for a tour of Canterbury’s second-hand bookshops. Engage with Canterbury’s literary history and get a book for our Blind Date with a Book event, finishing up in a local café.  

As part of Life After Uni Week, you can meet with representatives from five Divisions and ask questions about postgraduate study at Kent. Each Division will be based in a different Grimond seminar room.  

Brush up on your revision techniques with this online session for effective revision 

At the Hub you can join their Crafternoon to chill out and paint a tote bag 

Friday 22 March: Kent Graduates Panel, fun badminton and Aquarium trip (Medway) 

In your final year? Join this Kent Graduates Panel to ask questions to recent graduates about what their situation was before they graduated, what ideas they had about what to do next and what activities and opportunities helped them secure a graduate role of postgraduate study place.  

Enjoy some free fun badminton on Friday afternoon at the Sports Centre. This is non-competitive and open to all.  

If you’re based at Medway, you can join this trip to Southend-on-Sea Aquarium and experience a wide variety of sea life.  

Sunday 24 March: Cat café trip 

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can join the ResLife Ambassadors for a trip to the Canterbury Tails Cat Café. Sip your cup of tea in the company of cute cats.   

See more student events. 

Opportunities 

  • Help the University Accommodation team develop their next Living Black at Kent welcome booklet – join this Living Black at Kent focus group and help us work towards improving our Black students’ experience. 
  • 18-25 year-olds in Canterbury can apply for a mini group study exchange this summer in Germany. The exchange is organised by the Rotary Club of Canterbury. Find out more and apply.  

See more student opportunities. 

Student and security staff

Coffee time with a security officer

Come and chat with one of our friendly Campus Security Officers to talk all things security at Kent, from SafeZone app, Campus Security’s role, advice and more. A cup of coffee or tea is on us while we chat – supplied by the Gulbenkian Café team, free of charge!

See us every Tuesday during term-time in the Gulbenkian Café – you won’t be able to miss us with security and SafeZone banners up next to our table.

If you have any sensitive or private matters that need further discussion – these can be dealt with in a different location.

See all our safety services and information on the Student Guide.

Student and lecturer smiling while listening and watching work on desktop PC

Ever thought about studying a Year In?

The Year In programme can be taken between stage 2 and stage 3 or after stage 3 of an undergraduate programme, and will appear on your degree transcript and in the title of the degree awarded, letting employers know about the additional skills and knowledge you have gained.

There are a range of programmes and you can find out more at the introduction sessions on Wednesday 20 March. These will take place in Canterbury and online: