Travel and Accommodation
Travel to Canterbury by Rail
From Inside the UK
There are frequent, high speed train services to Canterbury from St Pancras International. There are also direct services from London Victoria, London Charing Cross, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International. The University is just a short bus or taxi ride direct from Canterbury East and Canterbury West railway stations.
From Europe
Rail from France, Belgium, Netherlands : Take the Eurostar to St Pancras International. Then change to National Rail service to Canterbury West.
Travel to Canterbury by Plane
From London Heathrow
Take the underground to London Victoria you can rail to Canterbury East or West. Alternatively, take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, underground to St Pancras International then rail to Canterbury. Approximate journey time: 2 hours 20 minutes.
From London Gatwick
Take the train to London St Pancras International to then high-speed rail to Canterbury. Alternatively, take the train to London Bridge then rail to Canterbury. Approximate journey time 2 hours 15 minutes.
From London Stansted
Take the train to Tottenham Hale and then travel on the underground to the National Rail mainline station you intend to travel from. Alternatively, take the Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street, then the underground to your National Rail mainline station. From here, see the Getting here by rail section. Approximate journey time 2 hours 30 minutes.
From London Luton
Take the train from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International then high-speed rail to Canterbury. Approximate journey time 2 hours.
Travel to Canterbury by Channel Tunnel or Ferry
Driving from France
Take Le Shuttle from Calais to the Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal. From the terminal, follow signs to Folkestone, Dover, Canterbury and Ramsgate (M20/A20). Stay on the A20 until instructed to join the A260 signposted Canterbury.
Ferry from Calais or Dunkirk
Ferries, including those operated by DFDS Seaways and P&O, go from the Port of Dover to Calais or Dunkirk. Then use the National Rail Service from Dover Priory to Canterbury East Rail Station. You will then use the local bus service, taxi or walk to the University.
To Canterbury by Coach
The 022 and 007 National Express service regularly operate to our campus Keynes bus stop. This journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. This service operates between Ramsgate and London Victoria Coach Station, stopping at Keynes bus stop or at the Canterbury bus station. To get to campus from the bus station you can take the Uni1 or Uni2 bus for a 15-20-minute journey.
Travel within Canterbury
Canterbury has an extensive bus network allowing for easy travel around the city. The Canterbury bus station is located within the city walls, opposite Whitefriars shopping centre. Stagecoach, the local bus company, provides regular, reliable, and affordable bus travel in Canterbury and other areas in Kent. No prior booking is required.
Entry to the UK
Your passport or identity card will be checked upon arrival at a UK port or airport to verify your eligibility to enter the country. It must remain valid for the entire duration of your stay. You might need a visa to enter the UK, depending on your nationality. Here, you can find out whether you need to apply for a visa or not. If so, please visit the UK government website to check visa and immigrant rules and find visa application centres where you can apply for a visa in your country.
If you need an invitation letter for your visa application, please email us at easp2025@kent.ac.uk. We recognise that it can be challenging for people to obtain visas on short notice, and so we have brought forward the timeline for applications to give students 6 months between notification of acceptance and the start of the Summer School. If so, we recommend that you apply for a visa as early as possible to avoid any problems. Please note that an invitation letter for your visa application will be provided once we receive full payment of your registration fee for the summer school.
We are aware that the visa application process might be stressful for some of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Things you might need to know before travelling the UK
Currency
The pound sterling, or GBP, is the official currency of the United Kingdom. Please note that you can also use your debit card / contactless payment / Apple Pay in the vast majority of places.
Climate
The weather in the UK during summer is typically reasonably warm and sunny. However, occasional periods of rain may occur from time to time.
Timezone
Clocks are on Greenwich Mean Time plus 1 hour during British Summer Time (BST).
Power socket in the UK
A three-pin electrical plug is used in the UK, which is different from many other countries. Be sure to bring your own converter plug adaptor with you. You can buy one at the airport before departure or in shops in Canterbury upon arrival.
Accommodation
The Summer School will take place in Keynes College, the home of the School of Psychology. Located on the leafy park-based University of Kent campus overlooking the spires of Canterbury Cathedral, students will benefit from all required amenities on their doorstop while also being merely an easy walk away from the centre of the city.
It is at Keynes College that both students and teachers will benefit from comfortable accommodation for 11 nights (with an additional night for teachers to help set up before students arrive), as well as where the teaching and lectures will happen. All rooms are en-suite with a private shower, and are comfortably furnished with a single or double bed, wardrobe, desk and chair. All bed linen and towels are provided, along with tea and coffee making facilities. All participants will benefit from an excellent cooked breakfast in the college restaurant Dolce Vita, setting them up for a day of stimulating academic discussion.
After a hard day at work, students will benefit from dinner with the group (included in the registration fee). On-campus dinners will happen at the Rutherford Dining Hall, offering traditional, home-cooked food in a two-course meal. Other dinners will happen in the city centre in a variety of excellent local restaurants. In the evenings, students and teachers alike will be free to enjoy a drink at Keynes College’s very own bar. Combining indoor space with a pool table, TV screens for sporting events, and a sunny terrace, K Bar has a laid-back and welcoming vibe, serving a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and hot snacks.