Join Kent Sport
All first-year students and students living in accommodation booked through the University are given free Kent Sport Premium Plus membership! This means you have access to all the facilities and services at Kent Sport.
Kent Sport operates all the sport and fitness facilities across the Canterbury campus. All students, staff, and members of the public are welcome to become members, with a wide range of benefits including access to:
- Air-conditioned, fully-equipped gym with cardio, weights and strength training equipment
- Large fitness and dance studio with up to 60 group exercise classes per week, including our LES MILLS Virtual classes
- 3 multi-purpose sports halls for almost any indoor sport including an NBA standard basketball court
- 3 full-size, floodlit artificial pitches for football, rugby, lacrosse, hockey and more
- 4 full-size indoor acrylic tennis courts within the Indoor Tennis and Events Arena
- Dedicated boxing area
- Social sport and activity programmes including ALL Active and Give It A Go (students and staff only)
- Access to the Kent Sports Clinic performance, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation services (discounted rates for members)
You can join Kent Sport with a free Pay to Play membership, simply by creating a new online booking account.
Join a student sports club
Kent Union run more than 60 different sports clubs on campus, with sports ranging from American Football to Ultimate Frisbee, and each club is open to any student regardless of experience. The sports are represented at a range of levels, from recreational to competitive, so there is something for everyone!
View the full list of sports clubs
Sports Scholarship Scheme
The University of Kent offers athletes the opportunity to join the Sports Scholarship Scheme, which provides sport-specific training, advice, guidance, and funding to continue competing while studying. The Sports Scholarship Scheme is delivered by Kent Sport.
Get outdoors
There are lots of green spaces in Kent, so why not take advantage of them? Going for a jog or a walk outside is great for clearing your head after a long day of studying.
If you want to start running, parkrun is a weekly free timed 5km run, jog or walk every Saturday in parks and open spaces. The Canterbury parkrun starts at the Sports Pavilion on Parkwood Road, and the Medway parkrun takes place at Great Lines Heritage Park (Gillingham).
If you’re looking to take in more scenery, then check out Kent Sport’s Active Campus Routes webpage for some popular walking, jogging, and cycling routes across campus and further afield.
Exercise with a friend
It can be daunting to exercise alone in a gym, or to join a sports club by yourself. Exercising with a friend will mean you’re less likely to get bored, and you can motivate each other by planning new and exciting workouts! On those days when you don’t feel like working out, having someone to keep you accountable will mean you’re more likely to stick to your exercise goals.
Cycle or walk to uni
Instead of taking the bus or driving, take advantage of the many cycle paths and footpaths around our campuses. Walking or cycling as part of your commute is a great way of including activity within your daily life – and it’s good for the environment!