How often will I be on campus?
Our students have timetabled “contact hours” for short periods most days of the week, if not every day, totalling roughly 10-15 hours a week. This will include large lectures and also some smaller group learning in seminars and practical sessions. Psychology at Kent also offers weekly Feedback+ workshops and drop-ins which are a great resource for our students. Workshops can focus on things like time management, writing in APA style, and giving impactful presentations, and the one-to-ones are useful for making the most of your feedback – look out for the 2019/20 series schedule! Students can also enhance their career prospects by participating in co-curricular research and work experience schemes. While 15 hours may not sound like a lot of time, you will also spend additional time learning and researching independently, either in the library or wherever you find works for you (cafés, at home etc.). There are other opportunities to interact with staff as well – make sure you meet with your Academic Adviser, who is your personal tutor!
What will I learn about?
This video really sums up the content of Kent Psychology degree courses and the excellent research community that includes staff and students.
What can I expect from Welcome Week?
The School of Psychology will introduce you to everyone you need to know to begin your studies. We will also give you more information about how the School works and what your modules will involve. Welcome Week in Psychology at Kent is rounded off with a BBQ for new students and staff – don’t miss it!
The Freshers’ Fair is also a great opportunity to find out about societies and sports clubs and to meet like-minded people. You can also get involved with the music community, and the arts and culture programme at Kent.
Kent Union organises club nights during Welcome Week and hosts the Freshers’ Ball. Take a look at the events page on the Kent Union website for details on what’s going on in Welcome Week and beyond!
What career-planning support is available to me?
The Research Experience Scheme (RES) and the Work Experience Scheme (WES) are two well-established opportunities for Psychology students in stages 2 and 3 respectively. Katie Watson is the Student Experience and Placements Officer in Psychology and she is responsible for these schemes. Please do not hesitate to contact her for information.
The University of Kent also has a fantastic Careers and Employability Service (CES). Students can attend their events including the annual Employability Festival which is a month-long series of presentations, workshops, and career fairs. The CES offers guidance interviews, drop-ins for quick queries, and a wealth of information about job-hunting on its website.
Here’s a video that covers some of the services that are on offer to students.
Is support available for health and learning needs?
If you have specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia), Autistic spectrum diagnosis, physical or sensory impairments, long term medical conditions, or mental health concerns, you should register with Student Support and Wellbeing. We welcome applications from international students and we seek to provide equality of opportunity for all.
The University’s Wellbeing Service is an integral part of Student Services offered on campus free of charge to University of Kent staff and students. Wellbeing has a specialist and experienced team of practitioners who can offer mental health advice and support.The service is available to students, who experience a range of mental health difficulties, for example: Anxiety; Stress; Depression; Panic attacks; Psychosis; Bipolar; Alcohol/Drug complications; and Obsessive compulsive disorder. This list is not extensive and they are able to assist and advise with any other difficulty that may be relevant.
The Wellbeing Service will work in conjunction with other staff members to ensure that difficulties are taken into account whilst studying at University, and they will try to make your experience whilst you are here, a positive one.
For our confidentiality guidelines, please see our website.
What about finances?
Both the University and Kent Union advise you to put together a budget when you first arrive at Kent. It might seem difficult or boring, especially compared to the fun of Freshers’ Week and the excitement of starting a new course, but in the long run it is definitely worth knowing how much you have to spend and keeping track of where the money goes. Use the student budget calculator on the Kent website. More information about living costs is available from the Student Finance pages of the Kent website.
Should you get into financial difficulty there are a number of support mechanisms available that the University can offer to help students in need. Please visit our financial advice pages or contact the Kent Union Student Advice Centre.