Now the Welcome Week madness is over, it’s probably a good time to start exploring Kent and the support services on offer. Watch our support, health and wellbeing video to learn more.

Support with your studies

Studying for a degree is very different to studying at school. You have a lot more control over your learning and greater independence.

You will also be asked to do things you’ve never had to do before (eg referencing in a certain way, dissertations, vivas…) this is where the Student Learning and Advisory Service (SLAS for short) steps in.

SLAS can help you with everything from perfecting your essay writing to learning how to reference properly. You can learn in your own time using our online guides or attend one of SLAS’ many workshops.

Don’t forget your school is also there to help you with your studies and offer a range of study support.

Have you checked in with Student Support and Wellbeing?

If you have a disability you should contact Student Support. They can provide not only academic support but can help with funding applications.

If you’re going through a difficult time or just don’t feel happy – staff in our Wellbeing Team are always available to listen.

They also run a series of well-being workshops to help you get the best out of University life.

Advice Centre

From money worries to getting on with your housemates, Kent Union’s Advice Centre is available to help. All advice is free to Kent students – so make the most of it!

Medical advice

Kent has its own NHS general practice on campus. There’s also an independent pharmacy next door, so you don’t have to go far when you’re feeling under the weather.

If you need any medical advice, treatment of a minor illness/injury or contraceptive advice, you can visit the ‘drop-in’ Nursing Services on central campus next to Campus Security.

Your College

When you arrived at Kent you automatically joined a college. Your Master’s Office is there to give advice and can be used as a first port of call for any questions you may have.

You can also get advice and support from your Student College Community Life Officers and Assistants who work in the colleges and the community. This could include offering assistance if you are concerned about a flatmate, being disturbed by noise or there are problems with untidiness in your shared accommodation.

Chaplaincy

University Chaplains run a wide range of religious and social events (including a very festive carol service in the Cathedral). They are also a good contact for advice and support.

International students

As well as all the other support services available to students, international students can visit International Team in the Registry Building. They can help with any international related queries and run a series of cultural events.

Kent Union

The Vice-President (Welfare and Community) officer at Kent Union campaigns on well-being related matters so if students have any queries or issues they would like to discuss they can contact Omolade directly: O.Adedapo@kent.ac.uk  

The Business Start-Up Journey is an inspirational programme which brings student business start-up ideas to life.

This 15-week co-curricular programme will provide you with a step-by-step guide to starting a business, teaching you the skills that are required to be a successful entrepreneur.

The programme welcomes all students at the University of Kent. The Journey will be based in the ASPIRE space (Accelerator Space for Innovation and Enterprise) in the Sibson building, Canterbury and at the Medway campus.

The programme’s focus on innovation will enhance your employability. You will learn how to assess risk, how to turn challenges into opportunity and develop leadership, communication, presentation

The majority of the Business Start-Up Journey will be delivered on Wednesday afternoons in Canterbury and Thursday afternoons in Medway, making it easy for you to fit in around your study.

After the Business Start-Up Journey Launch, the times and locations of all events will be supplied to all students wishing to continue on the Journey.

Find out more about the Business Start-Up Journey which is run through Study Plus.

The University of Kent Sustainability Team are offering an opportunity for students to gain skills in sustainability culture change, communications, and leadership by volunteering as a Goals Ambassador, as part of an exciting project based around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Students will receive training and a minimum of 30 Employability Points as well as being able to influence the sustainability of their University. Closing date is the 18 October.

For more information please have a look at the full role description for Canterbury students and the full role description for Medway students.

Please email sustainability@kent.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Canterbury and Medway: 7 October – 18 October

The annual University of Kent Employability Festival starts soon across the Canterbury and Medway campuses. The festival is free to all University of Kent students and recent graduates!

Want to know how to succeed in an interview? Or how to prepare for an assessment centre? The Employability Festival is the perfect opportunity to develop your job-seeking skills and gain an insight into a range of career sectors from graduate employers, industry experts and Kent alumni. Receive expert advice on the key things that can make you stand out in the recruitment market!

Take advantage of the range of activities taking place, which will help you to take the steps towards your dream career. These include:

• Succeeding in Interviews
• How to find part-time work
• A Mock Assessment Centre
• Business Start-Up advice
• Psychometric tests

Plus, gain employer insights into tech, finance, law, conservation, heritage, politics and more! See the full EmpFest programme.

The majority of events are open to students from all stages and schools. Some have limited spaces, so check out the website and book your place ASAP.

Highlights include:

Careers Fair

• Tuesday 15 October, 11.00- 15.00, (11.00 -12.00 Access Hour*) at Sports Centre, Canterbury campus. If you are a Medway student book your place on the free Campus Shuttle
• Download the free Careers Fair Plus App to view the full list of exhibitors and interactive floor plan! Available on the App Store and Google Play
• *The Access Hour is an additional hour to give you extra time and space to meet with employers and organisations in a less crowded environment.

GradJobs Live! Trip to London

• Friday 18 October, free coach travel
• Booking essential- Canterbury student booking and Medway student booking.
• The UK’s leading graduate job fair, GradJobs Live!, brings together top employers, workshops and special features to help with all stages of the recruitment process.

For information about what’s on during #EmpFest19, see the online programme.

Canterbury: Facebook: @UKCES   Twitter: @unikentemploy    Instagram: @unikentces

Medway: Facebook: @ukmemployability   Twitter: @ukmemploy   Instagram: @medwaycareers

Join the conversation at #EmpFest19

Find out more on the Careers and Employability website.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), will give the University’s annual Foundation Day Lecture on Friday 27 September.

The title of Professor Stokes-Lampard’s lecture is ‘Healthcare Now and For The Future’. It will take place in the Gulbenkian Theatre on the University’s Canterbury campus 6pm – 7pm. It is free and open to all with no booking required but seating will be on a first-come basis.

The Foundation Day Lecture celebrates the University’s many achievements since receiving its Royal Charter in 1965.

Professor Chris Holland, Dean of the new Kent and Medway Medical School, a collaboration between the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, said: ‘I am delighted that Helen will be giving this year’s lecture. She has been an exciting and inspirational leader and role model for General Practice. She embodies the vision of contemporary General Practice that will encourage our future graduates to consider this route as a career.’

The RCGP is the UK’s largest Medical Royal College, representing over 52,000 family doctors across the UK and internationally. The Chair shapes policy and leads the strategy of the College, working with politicians, policy makers and the media to ensure that the ‘voice’ of general practice and GPs is understood and represented.

During her time as Chair Professor Lampard-Stokes has built alliances and collaborated across the breadth of health and social care with the aim of improving the working life for GP’s and insuring the highest possible standards of care for all.

She is a part-time GP partner at a practice in Staffordshire and a professor in the Medical School at the University of Birmingham (Chair of Undergraduate GP Education).

Prior to training as a GP, she worked in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for several years and this experience shaped her clinical and academic aspirations. She was a personal mentor for doctors in difficulty in the Midlands until 2016, a scheme supported by the West Midlands Deanery and RCGP Midland Faculty.

Welcome back! If you’re returning to Kent after the summer break, here’s a helpful summary for settling back in.

Timetables will be on the Student Guide before term starts on the 23 September 2019.

Lectures for all modules and stage 2 & 3 module group allocations will be released on Monday 9 September 2019.

For Stage 0 & 1 modules, group allocations will be finalised by Friday 20 September 2019.

You must be registered on your modules for your personal timetable to show. Continue to go back and check your timetable regularly for updates including other events. Read our Timetabling FAQs.

You will need to register on SDS from Tuesday 17 September 2019 (now OPEN) so we know you’re definitely coming back. You don’t need to register in person or attend arrivals weekend. This is for new students. Please pay any outstanding fees to the University so you can register and delays are avoided. To ensure swift payment of your student loan, you are advised to re-register by Wednesday 18 September 2019. It takes 3-5 working days from the point of registration for funds to be released to your account. Read more.

Term starts on Monday 23 September 2019. Welcome Week is the week before (16-20 September). View term dates

If you’ve got a new phone, tablet or laptop, get it Kent WiFi-ready before you come back to campus by running our WiFi setup tool. For friends or family visiting campus, WiFi Guest is available for those who don’t have a Kent IT Account, an eduroam account or govroam account.

Living off campus is very different from living in University accommodation. Read our community webpages for information on bills, bins, neighbours and much more!

Highlights and new developments include:

The new Kent and Medway Medical School – with their first students starting in September 2020.

The Mandela Building is becoming the new home of Kent Union’s Jobshop, the Full Time Officers, the Advice Centre, sports, societies and volunteering. Mandela will also have a small study/social space, a student kitchen, student toilet facilities and union offices.

There have been renovations to the Sail and Colour Loft, home to Kent Business School at Medway.

There are more places to study in Templeman library including study pods and techno-booths for group work, and individual study carrels for private study.

Medfest doubled the number of visitors attending the festival and was a great success, with rides and live performances.

The School of Economics has moved to the Kennedy Building, which is located between the Sports Centre, Jennison and opposite Sibson. The Kennedy building provides more dedicated social and meeting spaces for students and staff. There are also 11 new central teaching rooms in the building including an IT suite.

Team Medway won the inter-campus Varsity 8-4 against Team Greenwich.

Over at the Pavilion in Parkwood, Kent Sport is working on a brand new indoor tennis and events area open to members.

Have a great 2019-20 at Kent!

If you are a returning student, tour personal timetable is now available on the Student Guide if you are fully registered on your modules.

This will show your main group classes, such as lectures, and your group allocations, such as seminars or labs, for level 5 and 6 modules.

If you are taking any level 4 modules your group allocations will be finalised by Friday 20 September 2019.

If you have recently changed module or programme of study, there may be a delay to your personal timetable being available.

Continue to go back and check your timetable regularly for updates including other events. If you have more questions, read the Timetabling FAQs.

Kent Sport is excited to announce new student membership options for 2019/20 available to buy online or at the Sports Centre and The Pavilion receptions.

In December 2018, Kent Sport and Kent Union launched the #FitForPurpose survey. Students and staff were able to have their say on Kent Sport membership and what they wanted out of their membership options. We listened to what you said and have made changes to our membership options.

Whether you want an all-inclusive membership or to use the gym and classes or even just to try a new sport – we have options for everyone.

• Premium Plus £245 – For less than £1.50/day, our all-inclusive membership combines the benefits of Premium and Plus. Enjoy discounted physiotherapy and massage, exclusive offers at The Pavilion Café Bar, bike hire, seven-day advance booking, and UNIversal BUCS membership.

• Premium £190 – From just 90p/day, this option gives you unlimited gym access, entry to all fitness classes, free access to our Let’s Play activities, and five-day advance booking. Additional activities available (fees apply).

• Plus £175 – From just 84p/day, this option gives you free access to club training sessions*, intramural sports club entry, free recreational sports bookings, and five-day advance booking. Additional activities available (fees apply).

• Pay to Play £5 – Our low commitment option gives you the flexibility to play when you want, with a £4.50 fee per session.

Make sure you check the benefits table to see what is available for each membership option.
“Over 2,500 students and staff filled out the survey, so thank you so much for making your voices heard! We hope these changes will greatly enhance the student experience.” – Emily Window, Vice-President (Sports)

We have listened to your requests for a more varied membership offering, giving you the opportunity to get active the way you want. We hope you love the new membership options and look forward to seeing you at Kent Sport!

“I would absolutely encourage all new students to get involved in sport. Even if you’ve not really played sport before coming to campus, there are so many different ones available of varying levels of ability and seriousness. Engagement in sport has 100% been my fondest memory of being at University.” – Ieuan Gale, Scholar of the Year 2018/19

New options are also available to the University of Kent staff, alumni and the public. For more details about all membership options, benefits, and terms and conditions at Kent Sport, visit kent.ac.uk/sports/membership.

To stay up-to-date with the latest Kent Sport news, activities and special offers, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @UniKentSports.