Category Archives: Student Guide

Two students walking through field with canterbury cathedral in background

Kent 2030: Consultation update

Next phase of consultation

As you may know, consultation closed on 7 March on proposals to cease recruitment to some subject disciplines (Anthropology; Art History; Comparative Literature; English Language and Linguistics; Health and Social Care; Journalism; Modern Languages; Music and Audio Technology; and Philosophy and Religious Studies) at the University of Kent. Counter proposals submitted by staff in those areas are now being reviewed, with recommendations then made to Executive Group colleagues to decide on the way forward, meaning that final outcomes are likely to be known towards the end of March.

If it affects you, we’ll be in touch

Once outcomes are shared in late March, we will be in touch with students who are affected to explain what this means for the future of their particular subject areas. There will then be more details to work out in terms of teach-out for any area where the final decision is to cease recruitment. We will keep affected students updated by email each step of the way as those plans are scoped out, as we have more clarity on individual student circumstances and options, and can share how we will support you through the remainder of your degree, whatever your stage and type of study.

Opportunity for all students to hear more and ask questions

We invite you to sign up for an Undergraduate Student Open Forum from  12:00-13:00 on Thursday 28 March or to sign up for an Postgraduate Student Open Forum from 14:00-15:00 on Wednesday 3 April to hear from  Richard Reece, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Education & Student Experience, and Mica Rose, Head of Student Experience. They’ll explain updates on Kent 2030 plans and what they mean for students, and invite you to ask questions. These online meeting will be recorded and shared afterwards, so don’t worry if you are not able to attend. We will continue to update information and FAQs on the Kent 2030 student webpage.

Medway Building

Moving teaching into the Medway Building next year

As some of you will know, we are working at the moment on plans to bring all University of Kent activity on the Pembroke Campus into the Medway Building. This follows discussions with our university partners on the campus on how we can make best use of the space and should hopefully help bring more activity to our area of the site.

The move is currently scheduled to start following the end of this term, with most work taking place outside of term time. Your exams will be programmed into the Medway building. However, Journalism exams will take place in the existing newsrooms on the first and second floor of the Gillingham Building.

The Gillingham Building’s third and fourth floors will not be available from the start of the Easter vacation, and staff based on these floors will move to join colleagues on the second floor.

For all students returning in September, your future timetables will confirm where your classes will take place and from this time all staff will be based in the Medway Building, with specialist equipment and facilities incorporated into the new space as required.

Help us shape the new Oasis Lounge

As part of this we will also be recreating the Oasis Lounge in the Medway Building over the Easter vacation so that you still have a dedicated social space. Initially this will be transferred over more or less as is – however, over the summer we want to work with you on how we can improve it.

We’ll share more details on this in a few months but in the meantime do let us know your thoughts on what we could do with the space in the future by emailing csespaceplanning@kent.ac.uk

Thanks all – and do get in touch with me or one of your tutors if you have any further questions on this.

Helen Holland
Assistant Director Estates Planning

 

Find your people with umii

Make friends with the Umii app

We have signed up with Umii to make it even easier for you to make new friends at Kent. Create a profile including what you’re studying and your interests and Umii will match you with other students who you might get on well with.

Over 1,000 Kent students have used Umii! So why not give it a try?

Only verified users can access the app, so you can be sure who you’re connecting with is a real student at your uni.

This means you will need to use your Kent email address to register with Umii.

Download Umii now for free

Exercise class

Free exercise classes, 14-15 March

In support of University Mental Health Day (Thursday 14 March) and Red Nose Day (Friday 15 March), Kent Sport will be offering 180 free spaces on our fitness and dance class timetable across both days to allow everyone within our community to join in exercise for free. This includes many popular classes such as Zumba and pilates, as well as our range of exciting virtual instructor-led classes from LES MILLS.

For all class descriptions, visit our Classes webpage.

To book a free class as a Plus, Pay to Play, or non-member, visit the Sports Centre reception and fill out the paper form for the class(es) you would like to join. There are 10 free spaces in each class so sign up quickly before they’re gone! If you’re a Premium Plus member, all classes are included in your membership so you can book online as usual.

If you’re not yet a Kent Sport member, you’ll need to create a free Pay to Play membership before you’ll be able to join the classes. You can create an account quickly and easily through our online booking system.

Donations for Red Nose Day can be made on the Comic Relief website.

Campus shuttle Zeelo

Campus Shuttle timetable change from 11 March

From the 07:35 service on Monday 11 March 2024, there will be a slight timetable change to the Canterbury to Medway Campus Shuttle service.

The expected arrival times at the Pier Quays and Historic Dockyard stops on the Canterbury to Medway service will now be 5 minutes earlier. See the updated timetable. (Make sure you click the hyperlink ‘view new timetable’ in the black box at the top!)

Why is this change being made?

Based on tracking data and driver feedback, there is excessive time allocated between Canterbury Campus and Pier Quays, leading to the bus frequently waiting at the Piers Quay stop.

To reduce waiting time and enhance service efficiency, 5 minutes will be deducted from the scheduled journey between Canterbury and Pier Quays.

How to get in touch

You can follow @CampusShuttle on X (formerly Twitter) for service updates. However, if you have any questions or feedback you will need to contact the 24/7 Customer Care Team 0330 808 3306 or email csteam@zeelo.co

Lead Kent

Kent Union elections: voting now open

Voting is now open for your Kent Union full-time Officers.

The full-time Officers work and support the student priorities that are picked by students for students. These make up the core campaigns of Kent Union’s Officer team. We currently have five full-time Officer positions that all focus on different remits for students:

There are three days of voting and there will be five polling stations spread around campus, plus you can vote online at any time during these three days. Voting closes Thursday at 17:00.

There are also chances to win a range of prizes if you vote in the Kent Union elections. Some of the top prizes include an Apple iPad, Xbox X and weekend getaways for two.

Group of Kent Grads

Events roundup: 4-10 March

This week marks the start of Worldfest, our celebration of cultural diversity at Kent, as well as International Women’s Day.

Plus, don’t forget to vote in the Kent Union elections between Tuesday 5 March and Thursday 7 March (closes at 17:00). You’re voting for your full-time Officers who will represent you for the next academic year.

Find out what’s on this week:

Monday 4 March: PGT presentation skills and mindfulness colouring

If you’re a PGT student, you can join this presentation skills online workshop which offers practical advice on how to prepare and deliver an effective presentation.

On Monday evening you can join ResLife Ambassadors in Keynes for a quiet environment where you can do some studying mixed with some mindfulness colouring to help you unwind.

Tuesday 5 March: Coffee with a Security Officer and LinkedIn photos (Medway)

Would you like to have a chat with our friendly Security Team? Each Tuesday lunchtime you can pop in to speak to one of the officers and ask any questions about the Safezone app, the role of Campus Security or for advice. And you can get a free cup of tea or coffee to enjoy while you chat.

Are you interested in pursuing postgraduate study in business? Even if you are not currently studying a business-related subject, you might be able to study a Master’s in Business. Find out more at the Ask the Experts: Kent Business School drop-in session in Nexus, Templeman Library. See all postgraduate study events.

Do you need a better LinkedIn photo? You can get a professional portrait taken by Matt Cook Photography free of charge in Medway building on Tuesday.

Wednesday 6 March: Graduation Launch event (Medway) and Worldfest international dishes and using GenAi in your studies

In your final year at Medway? You’re invited to the Graduation Launch event in Rochester Building where you can find out your graduation ceremony date and ask any questions you may have. You can also try on caps and measure your height for your gown, as well as write a message to your supporters to be displayed on the screens during your graduation ceremony.

As we celebrate Worldfest, enjoy a taste of Japanese and Arabic Cuisine. Our World language tutors will provide you on a journey to learn how to cook some of your favourite international dishes from Japanese and Arabic cultures.

Find out how you can use GenAI legitimately in your studies at this in-person workshop in Canterbury or you can join online.

Thursday 7 March: Canterbury Graduation Launch and how to network (Medway)

In your final year at Canterbury? You’re invited to the Graduation Launch event in Darwin Conference Suite where you can ask all your questions and find out the individual School dates for the 2024 graduation ceremonies. There are opportunities to try on caps and measure your height for your gown and write a message to your supporters to be displayed on the screens during your graduation ceremony.

Learn how to network effectively at this Aspire workshop in Medway building, plus you can grab some free pizza.

Friday 8 March: International Women’s Day events and katsu cooking class

To celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday, you can join various inspiring talks with successful Kent alumni; Balancing Acts: Navigating the Workplace as Women of Worth in Keynes, In conversation with: Elouise Mitchell, Senior Planning Consultant  in Keynes and Female Changemakers: In conversation with Bethany Matthews, Access Coordinator at ITV Studios which is taking place online.

As part of Worldfest, learn how to make Japan’s katsu curry from scratch from Chef Benjamin Elsbury, so you can get together with friends and re-create at home.

Sunday 10 March: Howletts trip and gallery hopping

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can join the ResLife Ambassadors for a trip to Howletts Wild Animal Park where you can see elephants, gorillas, rhinos and much more. (£10 which covers coach and entry fee).

Join the ResLife Ambassadors for some gallery hopping in Canterbury City Centre. Canterbury has lots of galleries and museums to explore including The Beaney and Canterbury Roman Museum.

Opportunities

  • Looking for housemates? On the Umii app you can now add a signifier to show you are looking for someone to live with.
  • If you’re based at Medway campus, make the most of Medway Move, a series of free exercise classes including yoga, Jiu Jitsu and social badminton.
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KentVision unavailable the morning of 11 March

KentVision will be unavailable on Monday 11 March, from 08:00-12:00, 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.

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

Find your housemates with Umii

Find your housemates with Umii

Struggling to find housemates? The perfect people might be waiting…

Find housemates on Umii app

The Umii app connects you with other students at the University of Kent based on your interests, course and societies, helping you to find new friends and housemates all in one go!

“I downloaded Umii as I wanted to make new friends, find out about student life and meet people with similar interests. Umii also helped me secure accommodation with a connection I had made.”

– Mohammad
Postgraduate Student

New housemate signifier

You can now add housemate signifier to your profile to show that you are looking for someone to live with. How to set up your profile:

  • Download the app
  • Select “University of Kent”
  • Add your course, interests and societies
  • Build your profile including choosing the housemate signifier
  • Verify your email
  • Get new matches every day!