- \n
- Do I want to live on or off campus?<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Do I want an ensuite?<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Do I want to cook for myself or have meals included?<\/strong><\/li>\n
- What is my budget?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
1. Do I Want to Live On or Off Campus?<\/h3>\n
Most first-year students choose to live in our on-campus accommodation at Canterbury or in Pier Quays, our partner accommodation, just a 15-minute walk from the Medway campus. That said, there are also plenty of private housing options nearby if you feel off-campus living suits your needs better.<\/p>\n
We do recommend living on campus, especially in your first year. It\u2019s a great way to meet new people who are going through the same transition to university life. You\u2019ll get a taste of independent living with the added benefit of dedicated\u00a0support services<\/a>\u00a0right on your doorstep \u2013 not to mention the unbeatable commute from your bed to your lectures!<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking for a quieter environment, our\u00a0Lifestyle Moderate<\/a>\u00a0rooms are designed to group like-minded students together. Plus, for peace of mind, we offer a\u00a0guaranteed room promise<\/a>\u00a0for most new students who apply before the deadline.<\/p>\n
On campus University accommodation<\/h3>\n
Best for: First-year students, those experiencing jitters, social butterflies and convenience lovers.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> <\/strong>for a more detailed list.<\/p>\n
What to expect:<\/p>\n
- \n
- A range of communal areas for socialising<\/li>\n
- Bills and utilities included (gas, electric, water, personal possessions insurance and WiFi)<\/li>\n
- A programme of ResLife activities<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Free Kent Sport Premium membership<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- 24 hr security and on-site maintenance teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Pros: Easy way to meet people, close to campus and secure.
Cons: In your first year, you don\u2019t get to choose your flatmates – which can feel a bit daunting for some! However this is a great way to meet new people!<\/p>\nCheck out our Jargon Buster blog<\/a><\/strong><\/em> to learn more about the terms we use in our accommodation communications.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2025\/04\/ACCOMMAY095.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. Do I want an en-suite bathroom?<\/h3>\n
En-suite rooms or studio accommodation:<\/h4>\n
Best for: Those who enjoy their own space and not seeing someone else\u2019s shampoo collection.<\/p>\n
If you’re heading to Medway, you can relax – all rooms at Pier Quay’s<\/a><\/strong> are en-suite. But if you’re coming to Canterbury, its something to consider carefully.<\/p>\n
Over half of our accommodations offer en-suite rooms (private washrooms). They’re popular and can fill up quickly, so if having your own bathroom is a must, we highly recommend applying as soon as possible<\/a>.<\/strong> Accommodation offers are made based on the date you apply, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances of getting your first choice are. (Applications open mid-January every year.) For more information see our blog: How We Allocate Accommodation at Our Canterbury Campus.<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pros:\u00a0 More personal space, modern amenities.
Cons: More space = more cleaning\u2026 and sadly, no magic cleaning fairies included.<\/p>\nEn-suite accommodation: Becket Court<\/a>, Giles Court<\/a>, Keynes College<\/a>, Keynes Flats<\/a>, Park Wood Flats<\/a>, Turing Flats<\/a>, Tyler Court A, B, C<\/a>, Woolf College<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2025\/04\/TURING091.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2025\/04\/JDP_5766-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Studio accommodation: Darwin Studios<\/a> (PG), Giles Court Studios<\/a> (UG), Keynes Studios<\/a> (PG), Woolf Studios<\/a> (PG)<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2025\/04\/ACCOMUKC0021.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA flat or a house?<\/h3>\n
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\u2019s break down what makes a flat different from a house.<\/p>\n
Flats: Typically shared between 4\u20139 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<\/a>, Keynes Flats<\/a>, Park Wood Flats<\/a>, Turing Flats<\/a>, Tyler Court<\/a> and Woolf College.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2025\/04\/TURING015.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHouses: Usually shared between 5\u201312 students, student houses may be arranged over multiple floors.<\/p>\n
Turing Houses<\/a><\/strong> are more like modern townhouses, while Park Wood<\/a><\/strong> and Darwin Houses<\/a><\/strong> feel more like classic terraced homes.<\/p>\n
Darwin College<\/a>:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2025\/04\/ACCOMMAY204.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPros: More independence, social atmosphere, budget-friendly, houses mates to share chores with
Cons: Less personal space, potential for distractions (however we have plenty of study hubs around campus and the Templemen Library!)<\/p>\nLittle secret: Turing Houses might be \u201cshared,\u201d but with multiple washrooms per floor, it\u2019s usually just you and one other lucky loo-mate.<\/p>\n
3. Do I want to cook for myself or have meals included?<\/h3>\n
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\u2019s great for flexibility, budgeting, and testing out your signature pasta dish. These accommodations include all Flats and Houses.<\/p>\nIf you’re leaning toward self-catered or off-campus living but still want the flexibility of having meals on campus, you’re in luck. Our Flex Catering Plan is available to purchase separately and gives you the same \u00a314 daily credit (2026\/27) to spend on food at participating outlets on campus. It’s a great way to save money too. Students can save up to 40% compared to buying food on a pay-as-you-go basis.<\/p>\n
Meal Plan:
Some accommodations come with an included Flex Meal Plan<\/a><\/strong> (part-catered), giving you pre-paid credit to use at various campus food outlets. It\u2019s perfect for students who\u2019d rather grab a bite on the go or don\u2019t fancy cooking every day. Just keep in mind that it doesn\u2019t 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<\/a> <\/strong>and Keynes College<\/a><\/strong>. Although the Flex Meal Plan is available to all students to purchase separately, should you decide cooking’s just not for you.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2025\/04\/Blog-image-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSpecialist Accommodation<\/h3>\n
Best for: Students with specific needs (e.g., accessibility, moderate living and specific accommodation preferences)<\/p>\n
At Kent, we offer accommodation tailored to particular requirements:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Accessible rooms<\/strong><\/a> for students with disabilities and complex care needs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Moderate living <\/a><\/strong>options for those who prefer a more peaceful lifestyle. While we can\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- Single-sex Accommodation<\/strong><\/a> for students who would prefer or need to live in a single-sex accommodation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- LGBTQ+<\/strong><\/a> flats for students who prefer to live with other LGBTQ+ identifying students<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- Specific preferences. You can request specific preferences, such as single-gender accommodation, when completing your accommodation application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tip:\u00a0If 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\u00a0they can to accommodate your needs and preferences.<\/p>\n
Accessible accommodation locations include: Giles Court<\/a>, Keynes Flats<\/a>, Park Wood Flats<\/a>, Turing Flats<\/a>, Tyler Court<\/a> (all blocks) and Woolf College<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2025\/04\/ACCOMUKC0139.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFinal tips for choosing<\/h3>\n
Your accommodation needs to fit within your maintenance loan, savings, and any bursaries or grants you may receive, while still leaving room for everything else you\u2019ll need as a student. Start by writing down your likely expenses. Beyond rent, think about:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Essentials (food, toiletries, course materials), any added extras such as clothes, nights out, cinema trips, or societies and of course unexpected costs, because life happens!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- \n
Location \u2013 Do you want to be in the middle of the action or somewhere more low-key?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Check contract lengths \u2013 We offer a variety of contract lengths to suit your needs:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
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<\/a><\/strong> is available at an extra cost for students wishing to stay on campus over the vacations, though rooms will still need to be vacated<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- 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<\/li>\n
- 44 weeks: Only available in Giles Court<\/a><\/strong> and extends over the vacation periods and into the summer holidays<\/li>\n
- 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Visit if you can \u2013 Open days<\/a><\/strong> 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<\/a> of all our accommodations online.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. What’s your budget?<\/h3>\n
If your budget\u2019s feeling tight, consider options like shared facilities or self-catered rooms, which are often cheaper and free up cash for other parts of student life.<\/p>\n
There are lots of free tools to help with this. Try:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Kent\u2019s Student Finance Timeline \u2013 to plan ahead<\/li>\n
- Save the Student\u2019s rent calculator \u2013 to balance rent with lifestyle<\/li>\n
- Blackbullion and MoneySavingExpert \u2013 for budgeting tips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Final tips<\/h3>\n
And remember: your accommodation is just one part of your university experience. Make sure you\u2019re leaving enough in your budget to enjoy everything else uni has to offer, from meeting new people to trying new things. Looking for more tips? Check out our blog posts on Is university accommodation really worth the cost? <\/a><\/em><\/strong>and Smart ways for students to save money<\/a><\/strong><\/em> for even more advice.<\/p>\n
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\u2019re also guaranteeing on-campus accommodation<\/a><\/strong> to new students who apply before 30 June 2026.<\/p>\n
When applying, you\u2019ll be asked to list four accommodation preferences, but only two of these can be en-suite options. That means it\u2019s important to explore our shared-facility accommodation too, which includes any accommodation listed as a \u2018house\u2019 and Darwin College. Our virtual tours are a great way to get a real feel for each option before making your choices.<\/p>\n
Read more in our How to Apply for Student Accommodation<\/strong><\/em><\/a>\u00a0blog.<\/p>\n
Happy applying!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
- \n
- \n
- Essentials (food, toiletries, course materials), any added extras such as clothes, nights out, cinema trips, or societies and of course unexpected costs, because life happens!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Specific preferences. You can request specific preferences, such as single-gender accommodation, when completing your accommodation application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Free Kent Sport Premium membership<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Do I want an ensuite?<\/strong><\/li>\n