Author Archives: Allie Burnett

One Year of Right to Food: Free Breakfast Celebration on 26 Feb

Join us for a special FREE breakfast at the Gulbenkian Cafe, from 8:00-10:00, on Mon 26 Feb to celebrate our one-year anniversary as a Right to Food University.

Booking is now closed for the anniversary breakfast.

Why is this Breakfast Special? This breakfast isn’t just about enjoying a tasty meal; it’s a celebration of the community coming together to make a difference. Thanks to the incredible support from our staff, students, alumni, and donors during last year’s Kent Giving Week, we have been able to provide over 10,900 meals, including this free breakfast session, supporting more than 650 students facing financial challenges.

Your Meal, Their Support: The generosity of our donors during Kent Giving Week of last year has made this breakfast possible. It’s a testament to the power of giving and the impact it can have on our community. As you indulge in the complimentary breakfast, we encourage you to consider how you, too, can pay it forward in the spirit of giving.

Right to Food: Our Commitment, Your Nourishment: As we celebrate our one-year commitment to becoming a Right to Food University, this breakfast symbolises our ongoing dedication to tackling food insecurity. We believe that access to nutritious and sustainable food is a fundamental right. Through various initiatives, we are actively working to ensure that no student on our campus faces the challenge of going hungry.

Do you have the latest version of the Uni Kent Student App?

Over the last few weeks we have been making improvements to notifications in our Uni Kent Student App.

If you are using the app, please make sure it is updated to version 6.0.36 on iOS and 6.0.34 on Android. You will need to open the app for the update to fully complete.

When will you send me notifications?

If you opt in to notifications, we will only send you notifications once a week to highlight important reminders, events, opportunities and deadlines for that week. This is in the form of our weekly round-up. In some cases, we may send an additional notification in a week for a really important message that is for all students.

If you would like to receive notifications, please make sure you have turned these on in the app.

Find out more about the app and how to give feedback.

Prize Draw Alert: Win 1 of 10 MacBook Air Laptops

We know that acing your studies is helped by having top quality tools at your disposal, so what better way to do this than with a new MacBook Air?

Back by popular demand, our partner Santander Universities, are once again giving away 10 MacBook Air laptops in their latest student prize draw.

Entering the prize draw is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:

Register for Santander Open Academy – a free online learning platform (if you’re not already signed up)
Follow the verification link in your confirmation email
Log into the Open Academy platform and select ‘Get Started’ to complete your entry into the Santander Universities MacBook Air Prize Draw!

All university students can enter. Including undergraduates, postgraduates, part-time and full-time students. You also don’t need to bank with Santander to get involved. So be sure to share with your friends, coursemates and anyone else who could benefit from this opportunity.

Enter by 11pm on 29 February 2024 for your chance to win!

Enter Now

KentVision update: now available

**13:00, 30 January 2024 – KentVision is now back online, ahead of schedule **

The KentVision system will be unavailable for all users from 17:00 on Friday 26 January 2024 until Wednesday 31 January 2024 at 12:00 due to planned maintenance.

If you need to view your timetable during these times, you can integrate your timetable with a personal calendar (e.g Outlook or Google calendar) on a mobile or computer through iCal. Please go to the my study webpage and click the cog in the top right-hand corner to see the subscribe to calendar options.

You will be unable to submit an Extenuating Circumstance request (Extension / Late Submission) during this period and you should aim to meet the original assignment deadline, but should that not be possible please submit your work within 7 days of the deadline and apply for a late submission, with supporting evidence, advising us why you could not meet the deadline once Kent Vision is up and running again.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused while this essential work is carried out.

Should you have any concerns or queries please contact helpdesk@kent.ac.uk

Join Kent’s New Mentoring Scheme: Celebrating Mentoring Month

January marks Mentoring Month, and there’s no better time to invest in your personal and professional growth. If you’re a student looking to make strides in your academic and career goals, sign up for the Career Mentoring Scheme, which partners students with alumni who work in their chosen industry or sector.

By participating in the mentoring scheme, you’ll gain a unique perspective on your chosen profession, develop key skills and knowledge, and prepare for life after graduation.

You can take part in the programme for one or two terms, depending on your needs and availability. The programme is available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, with applications accepted throughout the year.

The Career Mentoring Scheme is an excellent opportunity to build your professional network, connect with alumni in your field, and receive valuable advice and guidance. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your career journey and apply today!

Have you had your vaccines? Free walk-in clinic on 29 Jan

Infectious diseases can spread easily at unis so make sure you’re up to date with your vaccines and aware of the common signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.

If you have missed one or more vaccines, make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

After arriving at university it is important you register with the local GP surgery, who will also be able to advise regarding your vaccinations. We have a GP surgery on the Canterbury campus you can register with.

Covid and flu vaccine clinic on Monday 29 January

There will be a walk-in vaccine clinic at the Canterbury campus on Monday 29 January, from 12:30-14:30, in Senate committee room 2. There is no need to book, you can just show-up and get a free covid and/or flu vaccine.

Advice and information is available on the NHS website:

Apply now for i-teams

i-teams is an innovative programme that allows Kent students to work in interdisciplinary teams, solving real-world problems and gaining valuable experience in a variety of fields.

Whether your passion lies in sustainability, healthcare, or technology, i-teams has a project for you. Work alongside mentors from industry and academia to develop your skills and knowledge in your chosen area. Not only will you gain valuable experience, but you will also have the opportunity to make a difference in the world.

But don’t just take our word for it. Previous i-teams participants have gone on to launch their own successful startups, work for top companies, and even pursue further education in their chosen field. The skills and experience gained through i-teams have proven invaluable in their future careers.

So what are you waiting for? Join the i-teams programme and start making an impact today! Visit the our careers webpages to learn more and apply by 29 January 2024.

In your final year? Here’s why you should fill in the NSS

The National Student Survey (NSS) is now open at Kent and final year undergraduate students are invited to complete it.

The NSS is your chance to have your say on what you liked or didn’t like about studying at Kent. Take the NSS now.

The NSS: what you need to know

📣The University and Kent Union value your feedback and the NSS is one of the most powerful ways to have your say. See the Your Uni Your Say webpages for ways we have acted on your feedback.

📧If you are eligible, Ipsos will email you on Thursday 25 January and will continue to email, text and call you until you complete it (so we recommend you do it early).

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

🎓 NSS is mainly open to final year undergraduates.

🕕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.

Changes to how you get financial support at Medway

From 15 January 2024, at Medway you will only be able to book virtual appointments with the University’s Income Office. If an in-person appointment is essential this will be arranged for you but you won’t be able to drop in the office.

How to book a virtual appointment:

Virtual appointments are available Monday – Friday, from 10:00-15:00. Complete the online form to book a virtual appointment.
You can also contact the Income Office by phone – 01227 824242. The opening hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00-16:00.

Get in touch with your Division’s Income Office by email:

Kent Business School (KBS) – incomeofficekbs@kent.ac.uk
Law, Society and Social Justice (LSSJ) – incomeofficelssj@kent.ac.uk
Division of Arts and Humanities – incomeofficearthum@kent.ac.uk
Division of Natural Sciences – incomeofficenatsci@kent.ac.uk
Division of Education – incomeofficeedu@kent.ac.uk

If you have an account controller, you will receive a welcome email from your new account controller shortly.

A Student’s Guide to the Winter Break for International Postgrads

International postgrad student Caroline shares her experience of spending the winter break on campus…

“As an international postgraduate student in the UK, spending the Christmas holidays away may seem lonely and daunting at first. However, it can be a unique and enriching experience. Canterbury, with its rich history and charming atmosphere, offers lots of activities to make your holiday season memorable. In this blog post, I will share my recommendations for what you may wish to consider doing during the Christmas holidays when you decide to take a break from your studies.”

Explore Canterbury’s historic sites

“There is a range of activities to enjoy in the City Centre, while the campus is quieter. One of my favourites is the iconic Canterbury Cathedral, which is free for University of Kent Students to visit. Just bring your KentOne ID and browse all the events they have to offer.”

Join festive events and the Canterbury Christmas markets

“Canterbury comes alive with festive cheer during the Christmas season, with the ‘Christmas Light Switch-on’ and the arrival of the Christmas marketplace. Visit the Christmas lights in the city centre to experience the enchanting atmosphere and definitely don’t pass up the chance to explore the Christmas markets; you can indulge in seasonal treats, shop for unique gifts, and enjoy the vibrant ambience with friends or colleagues.”

Participate in University events

“Check online for uni-led special events or gatherings during the holidays. Both Kent Union’s ‘Give it a Go!’ scheme and the ResLife team will be hosting events throughout the Christmas break, so make sure to check out what events they have planned. Some schools will also be hosting Christmas parties, cultural celebrations, and activities for students staying on campus, so keep an eye on your emails. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow international students and create new holiday traditions.”

Embrace British Christmas Traditions

“Immerse yourself in British Christmas traditions by attending local events such as carol services, pantomimes, and festive concerts. If you haven’t had the chance to go into the city centre to try some of the local food or pubs, now will be the best time to experience the joy of a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.”

“Have a very Merry Christmas in Canterbury!”

Check out the winter break webpages for service opening times, advice and support.