Your first student loan has landed, and your bank balance is looking pretty healthy. Tempting as it is to celebrate with a shopping spree or a big night out, don’t forget that some of that money has to cover the important stuff – like your rent or accommodation fees.
To make things easier (and help you stay on top of your budget), we’ve put together answers to the five most common questions students ask about accommodation fees:
How do I know how much to pay and when it’s due?
If you’re living on campus, you have two options for paying your accommodation fees:
- Spread the cost by paying in instalments throughout the year. This is the most popular method and is easy to set up using Epay online.
- Pay the full amount by the first day of the academic year.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate students will pay in either three or four instalments, depending on the length of your agreement.
If you’re a short-term student, check your Accommodation Agreement for the payment dates and fees, as these can change depending on how long your course lasts.
Whichever option you choose, the total amount you pay stays the same.
If you are paying in instalments, the payment schedule depends on your student status:
- Undergraduate students: Payments are due on the first day of each term with your last instalment being taken on 13 April 2026. If you have a 52-week agreement, your last instalment will be 1 July 2026.
- Postgraduate students: Payments are due on the first Monday following Arrivals Weekend in September, then on 1 January, 1 April, and 1 July
- January starters: Payments are due on the first day of the Spring Term (12 January 2026), and then, depending on whether you are a UG or PG student, payments as above.
You can see your payment dates and amounts by logging into the MyAccommodation Portal (the same place you applied). From there, you can download your Accommodation Agreement, which clearly shows when and how much you need to pay. You can also look up University term dates for future years online.
If you can’t log in, you can check the amounts on our prices webpage – just make sure you’re looking at the right academic year. Remember though, this page is only a guide and doesn’t replace your Accommodation Agreement.
If you live in Pier Quays, your payments go directly to Unite Students, who manage the building. They’ll let you know how and when to pay. If you’re not sure, just pop by reception at Pier Quays for more information.
How do I pay my accommodation fees?
There are two main ways to pay your accommodation fees:
- Automatic payment plan on Epay: You’ll need to set this up before your first payment date. Make sure you enter the exact dates and amounts listed in your Accommodation Agreement for the whole year. If the details don’t match when a payment is due, the plan will be cancelled and you’ll need to pay the term’s fees straight away.
- Manual payment online via Epay
You can also find other payment options on Kent’s Student Finance website.
If you’re a short-term student, check your Accommodation Agreement for payment dates and fees, as these may vary depending on your course length. You can make your payments through Epay.
You won’t be sent an invoice for your accommodation fees. Instead, download your Accommodation Agreement from the MyAccommodation Portal – it has all the payment dates and amounts you’ll need.
Why do the termly payments change?
It’s simple – the amount you pay each term depends on how many days are in that term.
Can I move to a more or less expensive room?
Yes, you can request a room move from November onwards using an online form. The Accommodation Office must approve any move to make sure your charges are correct and for safety reasons. Moving rooms earlier is usually only allowed in exceptional cases. Full details on how to move or swap rooms will be on our website just before November.
If you haven’t applied for accommodation yet, take some time now to figure out your budget.
Where can I go for money advice and support?
Handling your own money for the first time can take some getting used to. You’ll need to think about bills like rent and food, and if you live off-campus, also water, heating, electricity, and Wi-Fi. Making a budget can help, and it doesn’t have to be complicated – just track what money you get and estimate what goes out. Online tools like Save the Student’s Rent Calculator can help.
Kent also has a student budgeting webpage to help you stay on top of your finances. If you need extra financial support, check Kent’s Student Finance website for emergency funding and a timeline of important financial steps.
For accommodation payment questions, email accomfinance@kent.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1227 824242. For questions about your room or living arrangements, contact your college reception or the Accommodation Team.
