Welcome to Kent! We’ve compiled some information for you around where you can buy food once you arrive, including supermarkets and places to eat out.

Canterbury

Supermarkets

On campus we have two small Co-op supermarkets run by Kent Students’ Union – one in the plaza on central campus and one in Park Wood. January opening times:

Plaza Co-op

• Friday 3 January: 07:00-20:00
• Saturday 4 January: 07:00-20:00
• Sunday 5 January: 12:00-18:00
• Monday 6- Saturday 11 January: 7:00-22:00

Park Wood Co-op

• Thursday 2 January – Saturday 4 January: 09:00-17:00
• Sunday 5 – Friday 10 January: 08:00-20:00.
• Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 January: 09:00-Midnight

From Monday 13 January, both Co-op shops will be open as normal for the start of term.

For larger supermarkets, you might want to catch the bus into town to Sainsbury’s, Asda and Lidl.

See this Canterbury google maps showing supermarkets, international food stores and other useful shops.

Places to eat on or near campus

Check out the catering outlets winter break timetable to see where and when you can purchase food on our Canterbury campus.

Kent Students’ Union also have the Library Café and Woody’s which sells food and drinks. See their winter break opening times.

Once term begins on 13 January, all our outlets will be open during their usual opening times. See catering webpage to learn more.

In Canterbury city centre, there are loads of places to eat. Look out for student discounts at some cafes and restaurants.

Medway

Supermarkets

Next to Pier Quays accommodation there is a small Tesco Express supermarket which is open 24/7. Across the road, less than 5 minutes walk away, there is also a large Asda supermarket.

See this Medway google maps showing supermarkets, international food stores and other useful shops.

Places to eat on or near campus

There is a Subway and Domino’s very close to Pier Quays accommodation. There is also a range of restaurants and cafes at the Dockside Outlet Centre which is a 10-minute walk down the road.

Once term begins on 13 January, you can also check out some places to eat at the Medway campus including The Deep End which is part of the Hub, the Archibald Hay Mess in the Drill Hall Library and the Venue Cafe in Pilkington.

Find out what’s on this week including festive events and inspirational talks.

Monday 2 December: Using Gen AI legitimately and inspiration talk

Are you a PGT student and unsure how you can use Generative AI legitimately in your studies? Join this session to find out how to use AI successfully and avoid plagiarism.

As part of Disability History Month, you’re invited to an inspiring talk ‘In the Dark: Climbing Mountains’ in Sibson. Michele and Daniele, lifelong friends who founded the In The Dark project, celebrate a shared passion for the mountains and pushing their limits. Following an accident, Michele lost his sight, however as a team they continue to push boundaries and test their limits. They will be sharing their story as well as hosting a blindfolded walk around the University slopes in the afternoon of their visit.

Tuesday 3 December: Festive crafts and language taster sessions

Join us for our Winter Global Hangout on Tuesday for a fun afternoon with festive craft activities, refreshments, and games. Run by our Student Global Officers, it is the perfect opportunity to make new friends and meet existing ones in a relaxed environment.

Interested in learning a new language for free? The Language Centre are offering free taster sessions in Irish Gaeilge, Russian, and Ukrainian, along with their usual classes. Find out more about free language classes at Kent.

There are also more festive opportunities including Christmas glass painting at K Bar and decorating sustainable wooden baubles to hang on the Templeman Christmas tree.

Wednesday 4 December: Winter Wonder Wednesday (Medway), talks and Cultural Showcase

If you’re a Medway student, head to The Hub on Wednesday for Winter Wonder Wednesday. There will be market stalls, a photobooth, winter activities, crafts are more!

The next PG Talk is Exploring Global Cultures. The event allows postgraduates to present on their own culture and offers an opportunity to learn about our cultural similarities and differences.

How can we make universities more beneficial to their communities? Join us for a talk in Sibson as we discuss Kent’s place in the community including being the world’s first Right to Food University and our Sanctuary project. Come along and join the discussion with leaders in our communities. The talk will be followed by a Q&A, drinks and networking.

Get ready for a spectacular showcase of talent at Kent Students’ Union’s Cultural Showcase! This exciting competition features our diverse student community competing for up to £200 and a chance to perform at a Global Hangout.

Thursday 5 December: Drug and alcohol support drop in, placements and Cookies and Conversation

Each Thursday afternoon you can drop in to Keynes meeting room to get free information and support about drugs (including alcohol) and sexual health. You can have a confidential chat around any concerns around your or someone else’s drug use.

Unsure about how to find a placement? Join this online session to find out what placements could be available to you and where to find them. If you’re based at Medway, there’s an in-person session for how to answer interview questions.

Enjoy Cookies and Conversation in Templeman Library Café on Thursday afternoon. Share your opinions about the library and you can also find out about the new Student Shapers initiative and how to get involved #YourUniYourSay

Friday 6 December: Dancing Queen Christmas Special

K Bar is excited to bring you a fabulously festive Christmas party like no other, designed especially for Kent’s LGBTQ+ community and everyone who wants to dance into the holiday season!

Opportunities and reminders

• Staying on campus over the winter break? Let us know!
• Will you be returning from overseas after the winter break? You can use our airport transfer service for your return to campus in the new year.
• There’s not long left to be in with the chance of winning one of 10 £1,000 grants for Kent students, closing Thursday 5 December.

Over 50 PGR students along with their supervisors gathered upstairs in Woody’s for the BIG PGR Quiz of the Year.  It was a joint social event organised by the Graduate Researcher College (GRC) and Kent Students’ Union (KSU) with a free spread of tasty food and refreshments provided too.

14 teams took part with innovative and inventive names: Non-Applicable, The Smooth Brains, Yeasty Boys, The Centrifugitives, Psycho Linguistics, Biohazardous Waste(d), Philanthropy Fantastica, Inspire, Hybrid Vigour, Unsupervised Learners, Quiz-ics and Astronomy, Statistically Insignificant, ChemisTRY Harder and The Mushkateers.

Quizzers battled their heads over a picture round and questions on Food, Films, Around the World and History of Kent University whilst socialising with fellow PhD students and supervisors in the warmth of Woody’s.  There was much fun and laughter had by the PGR community at Kent.

It was a close competition with Non-Applicable winning the Booby Prize and The Mushkateers (pictured above) scooping the top prize of £100.  Josh, from the Mushkateers winning team, summarised the evening by saying: “Nothing brings friends and co-workers together like a good old-fashioned Quiz night!”

Find out what’s on this week, including events for Cultural Celebration Week and Disability History Month.

Monday 25 November: Finding a part-time job and Wellbeing Café

Thinking about finding a part-time role? Come along to this session to find out what steps you can take to secure a part-time job.

On Monday afternoons you can join Mental Health Advisors and other students for the Wellbeing Café, a relaxed space with a focus on promoting your wellbeing and mental health through activity, for example a craft.

Tuesday 26 November: Finding a part-time job (Medway), UV games (Medway) and glass painting

Looking for a part-time job and based in Medway? Join this in-person session in Medway building to find out more about options for work and how to apply.

Head to the Hub to play UV pickle ball and table tennis – a fun way to stay active and meet new people.

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can join ResLife Ambassadors Aashvi and Nehi for a relaxing evening of glass panting. Using specialised glass paints and brushes, you’ll learn how to create unique designs on glassware.

Wednesday 27 November: Tree survey, DHM Speaker Panel and PGR quiz

Spend an hour in nature on the KentCOG site for a wellbeing and biodiversity tree survey. We will be mapping the trees we have, recording information about them and giving them a health check.

On Wednesday afternoon you can join the Disability History Month Speaker Panel. Kent Students’ Union and the Student Services Resource Department welcome you to a live speaker event all about access in the workplace, hosted by Chair of the Accessibility Network Gabby.

All PGR students are invited for an afternoon of fun, food, and friendly competition at the Big PGR Quiz of the Year! Jointly hosted by Kent Students’ Union and the Graduate and Researcher College, this is a great opportunity to get to know other PGR students and supervisors.

Thursday 28 November: Cultural Food Festival and film screening (Medway)

As part of Cultural Celebration Week, join us and Kent Students’ Union in Rutherford Dining Hall the Cultural Food Festival 2024. Enjoy a night of cultural celebrations with food dishes prepared by KSU student groups, who will be there to tell you more about their dishes.

**Cancelled** At Medway campus you can join a free screening of the film Rising Phoenix at The Hub, which tells the extraordinary story of the Paralympic Games.

Friday 29 November: Litter pick, LGBTQ+ friendly social and cultural quiz night

The Big Hog Friendly Litter Pick Challenge is an annual national competition to see which institution can collect the most litter on campus. Join us to keep our campus clean and hedgehog friendly!

ResLife Ambassadors May and Taylor would like to invite you to join them for an LGBTQ+ friendly social. However you identify, come and chat to others in your community in our safe space in the library. There will be hot drinks, biscuits, board games and Super Mario Kart.

As part of Cultural Celebration Week, join us for a fun evening testing your knowledge with this fun Cultural Quiz. Hosted by our student Global Officers, come along and join in a fun evening of cultural trivia. Test your knowledge and learn something new, with prizes up for grabs.

See all student events.