Starting university is an exciting chapter – and finding the right place to live can make all the difference.
Whether you’re looking for a vibrant social atmosphere, quiet study spaces, or a more independent living experience, Kent offers a range of accommodation options to suit your needs. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect.
University accommodation
Best for: First-year students, those experiencing jitters, social butterflies and convenience lovers.
University residences are a popular choice for new students and are conveniently located on campus. They come fully furnished with essential kitchen appliances (where a kitchen is included) – like an oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, kettle, and toaster, as well as bedroom basics such as a bed, wardrobe, and storage space. Check out our ‘What’s Included’ poster for a more detailed list.
What to expect:
- Single occupancy bedrooms (some studios are suitable for double occupancy and we have 8 twin rooms in Park Wood Flats)
- En-suite bedrooms
- Shared kitchens and bathrooms
- Room with a kitchenette and a meal plan
- Studios, flats and houses
- Communal areas for socialising
- Bills and utilities included (gas, electric, water, personal possessions insurance and WiFi)
- A programme of ResLife activities
- Free Kent Sport Premium membership
- 24 hr security and on-site maintenance teams
Pros: Easy way to meet people, close to campus and secure.
Cons: In your first year, you don’t get to choose your flatmates – which can feel a bit daunting for some!
Check out our Jargon Buster blog to learn more about the terms we use in our accommodation communications.
En-suite rooms or studio accommodation:
Best for: Those who enjoy their own space and not seeing someone else’s shampoo collection.
Most of our accommodations offer en-suite rooms (private washrooms). We also have a limited number of studio flats (self-contained rooms with a private kitchen and washroom), which are available to postgraduate students, except in Giles Court. These are generally more expensive but offer greater privacy.
Pros: More personal space, modern amenities.
Cons: More space = more cleaning… and sadly, no magic cleaning fairies included.
En-suite accommodation: Becket Court, Giles Court, Keynes College, Keynes Flats, Park Wood Flats, Turing Flats, Tyler Court A, B, C, Woolf College
Studio accommodation: Darwin Studios (PG), Giles Court Studios (UG), Keynes Studios (PG), Woolf Studios (PG)
A flat or a house?
Ideal for returning students keen to live with a group of friends, or new students looking for a more social accommodation experience with a touch of shared living. But which one suits you best? Let’s break down what makes a flat different from a house.
Flats: Typically shared between 4–9 students (depending on location), each flat includes en-suite bedrooms and a large shared kitchen, all arranged over one floor.
Flat locations include: Giles Court, Keynes Flats, Park Wood Flats, Turing Flats, Tyler Court and Woolf College.
Houses: Usually shared between 5–12 students, student houses may be arranged over multiple floors.
Turing Houses are more like modern townhouses, while Park Wood and Darwin Houses feel more like classic terraced homes.
Darwin College: This traditional accommodation is a tough one to categorise as it’s similar to a flat with bedrooms and a shared washroom all on one floor, but its included shared kitchen sits externally on the floor above or below, depending on your flat number.
Pros: More independence, social atmosphere, budget-friendly, houses mates to share chores with
Cons: Potentially messy house/flatmates, less privacy.
Little secret: Turing Houses might be “shared,” but with multiple washrooms per floor, it’s usually just you and one other lucky loo-mate.
Self-catered or a room with a meal plan
Self-Catered:
Most of our accommodation is self-catered, meaning you’ll have access to shared or private kitchen facilities (Studios) so you can cook your own meals. It’s great for flexibility, budgeting, and testing out your signature pasta dish. These accommodations include all Flats and Houses.
Meal Plan:
Some accommodations come with an included Flex Meal Plan (part-catered), giving you pre-paid credit to use at various campus food outlets. It’s perfect for students who’d rather grab a bite on the go or don’t fancy cooking every day. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t cover vacation periods. Students also have access to a shared kitchenette, ideal for snacks and some late-night munchies. Part-catered accommodation includes Becket Court and Keynes College. Although the Flex Meal Plan is available to all students to purchase separately, should you decide cooking’s just not for you.
Specialist Accommodation
Best for: Students with specific needs (e.g., accessibility, moderate living and specific accommodation preferences)
At Kent, we offer accommodation tailored to particular requirements:
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Accessible rooms for students with disabilities and complex care needs.
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Moderate living options for those who prefer a more peaceful lifestyle. While we can’t guarantee a completely quiet or alcohol-free environment, grouping like-minded students together helps foster a respectful atmosphere. These living spaces are available across our range of accommodations.
- Specific preferences. You can request specific preferences, such as single-gender accommodation, when completing your accommodation application.
Tip: If you have specific needs, you can add these as notes in your accommodation application and contact the accommodation office if you have any further concerns. They will do everything they can to accommodate your needs and preferences.
Accessible accommodation locations include: Giles Court, Keynes Flats, Park Wood Flats, Turing Flats, Tyler Court (all blocks) and Woolf College.
Final tips for choosing
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Budget wisely – know what’s included in your rent (bills, Wi-Fi, etc.). Most first-year students choose en-suite accommodation; however, if you’re working with a tighter budget, consider options with shared facilities. They’re often more affordable – and not as bad as you might think!
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Think about location – Do you want to be in the middle of the action or somewhere more low-key?
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Visit if you can – Open days and Offer Holder days always include accommodation tours, though be sure to check which accommodations are open to viewings. Alternatively, you can view images and virtual tours of all our accommodations online.
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Check contract lengths – We offer a variety of contract lengths to suit your needs:
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31 weeks: Term time-only contracts with a meal plan included, meaning the accommodation must be vacated during the winter and spring vacations and belongings removed (spring). Self-catered vacation accommodation is available at an extra cost for students wishing to stay on campus over the vacations, though rooms will still need to be vacated
- 38 weeks: This contract covers the undergraduate academic year and includes self-catered accommodation over the vacation periods, so there is no need to move out in between terms
- 44 weeks: Only available in Giles Court and extends over the vacation periods and into the summer holidays (01/08/26)
- 52 weeks: Ideal for postgraduate students whose academic year runs from September – September or anyone looking to stay on campus all year round. This accommodation is also self-catered and inclusive of all vacation periods.
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Whatever your preferences, make sure you secure your accommodation as soon as possible. All you need to get started is an offer to study at Kent. Accommodation is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting what you want.
We’re also guaranteeing on-campus accommodation to new students who apply before 30 June 2025.
Read more in our ‘How to Apply for Student Accommodation‘ blog.
Happy applying!