Category Archives: Returners

How to save money on your food shop

The rising cost of living is difficult for many of our students, and we understand that some extra help may be needed at this time. Here are some student tips to help you save on your food shop.

(1) Plan your weekly budget

The best place to start is having a weekly budget to work out how much you can realistically afford to spend each week on food. Start by working out your income – whether you have a part-time job or you’re getting money from your parents, every income you have should be accounted for. You’ll then need to make a note of your regular expenses and subtract this from your income. This should then leave you with the amount you have available for food, activities, shopping, and anything else you need to buy over the week. Make sure you set aside a fair amount for food and necessities, and use this weekly budget to inform your spending decisions and plan your food shopping accordingly. For more information on budgeting, check out our Budgeting Guide.

(2) Take stock and make a list

Make sure you check your cupboards before you head to the shop so you don’t buy duplicate items that you won’t need and jot down any ingredients you’re missing. This also helps you use up food before it goes out of date. Try to plan what meals you might like to have for the week and make a list of what you need. It can also be helpful to make extra food so you have leftovers for the next day’s lunch. We have microwaves on campus so you can reheat leftovers. Making a list of what you actually need will help to keep you on track with your shopping.

(3) Do your food shop in the evenings

Most supermarkets start reducing the price of food after about 18:00 so that they can get rid of stock before the end of the day, and make things cheaper that they will no longer be able to sell as ‘fresh’ the next morning. This is great for getting a cheaper food shop – the food will still be fine to eat, just less expensive. You could also freeze items and have them at a later date.

(4) If you can, buy in bulk

Buying in bulk can work out cheaper in the long run. For items with a long shelf life that you know you’ll use – like pasta, rice and washing up liquid – it’s cheaper and easier to buy larger quantities than to keep getting small packets. Look out for the price per kg or per litre on these items to make sure you’re getting a good deal. If you can afford it, it can make more sense to bulk buy items once rather than buying smaller amounts of items each week.

(5) Keep an eye out for student discounts and cheap deals

There are lots of money-saving discounts online and in stores. As students, you should be able to access student discounts for a range of shops and restaurants, so make sure you always ask if this is available when shopping. For discounts on the Canterbury campus, grab yourself a Totum discount card or a Co-op membership to access rewards and offers in our two Co-op stores. It’s also a good idea to do your food shops at cheaper supermarkets (like Aldi and Lidl) if possible, as this will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Chance to win £500 in food vouchers!

Our partner Santander is helping students with the cost of living by offering the chance to win £500 in food vouchers through the Fuel Your Studies prize draw.

More cost of living support

You can also access the Kent Students’ Union Campus Pantry at Mandela Student Centre, and can speak to their Advice Service about any extra support or advice you might need. We also offer a range of emergency financial support options.

See our cost of living website for more support. 

Changes to the academic year

We’ve listened to your feedback through Student Reps, Student Voice Forums, Module Evaluations and more and been hard at work implementing changes based on your feedback.

There are several significant changes for 2025-26 to the academic year, here’s what you need to know.

  • Three 10-week terms for undergrads and four 10-week terms for postgrads
  • You will study 40 credits per term, usually two 20-credit modules
  • Exams will be at the end of each term
  • Key dates for Autumn 2025 term

This means more time to focus on the topics you are studying and assessments while things are still fresh in your mind. Plus it means more evenly spaced deadlines and less pressure to study over Christmas and Easter!

These changes have enabled us to get your timetable to you earlier than ever before, you can find your timetable on KentVision.

You have told us loud and clear that you wanted more regular and timely feedback on how you are doing in your studies. The changes above will help enable this, and we’ve also made a major update to Academic Advising across the University.

Your Academic Advisor will meet with you each term, as scheduled in Presto, to provide a more consistent way for you to access support to succeed in your studies.

Calling Black Student Changemakers: A National Opportunity to Influence and Inspire

The Living Black at University Commission is excited to launch recruitment for the Living Black at University Co-Creation Partnership Group, an initiative that brings together Black students from across the UK to help shape national toolkits, guidance, and best practice for improving the experiences of Black students in student accommodation and beyond. Kent has been involved in the project from the outset, developing Living Black at Kent, supporting and working with our Black students.

This paid opportunity offers students the chance to collaborate, co-create published works, and influence change at a national level. Participants will engage in monthly virtual meetings and have the opportunity to attend and speak at in-person sector events.

Applications are open until Friday 27 June – apply here.

staff and student talking

Updating how our teams work together

At Kent, we’re committed to ensuring you have the best possible experience while you study with us. Universities across the UK are facing significant financial challenges, and we’re taking steps to address these at Kent in a way that prioritises your education and wellbeing.  

As we updated previously, we recently ran a Voluntary Severance Scheme to make savings by supporting staff who are looking to leave the University. Alongside this, we are making some higher-level changes to how support and administration teams work together. There is no change to the support teams you currently work with at this stage – we’ll let you know if anything student-facing does change if and when this is confirmed. 

The proposed changes don’t affect our new Academic Schools and are intended to improve alignment with the new structure. The changes will enable back-office functions to be more student-focused, helping us meet students’ needs now and in the future. 

Under the proposal being discussed with staff now, we would bring existing teams together into nine new directorates: 

  1. Finance
  2. Information Technology Services
  3. Marketing, Recruitment and External Engagement 
  4. Research, Innovation and Business Development
  5. Student Life 
  6. Campus Services
  7. Planning, Insights and Improvement
  8. Human Resources and Organisational Development 
  9. Governance, Assurance and Legal Services  

Several of the current student-facing teams would come together within Student Life, ensuring better cohesion between key teams who support you throughout your time with us. This includes postgraduate support, with dedicated PG activity delivered through the Student Life directorate along with your academic support via your School. 

Your Support at Kent  

We understand how important it is to have consistent and reliable support throughout your time here. Our teams remain focused on ensuring continuity of support in all areas of university life, from your academic studies to wellbeing, accommodation, and campus services. No matter what changes happen behind the scenes, you can rely on dedicated teams to provide a consistent experience through the changes. This includes:  

From September 2025 we are also making broader changes to support your studies, following the changes to our course portfolio last year. This includes new modules with more industry and employability links, along with a revised academic year structure which means your assessments will happen much closer to when you study your course content. Keep an eye out for further updates on this throughout the term. 

Online Module Registration for 2025/26

With Online Module Registration opening soon we wanted to reminder you of the changes to the selection process. These changes are being made following student feedback on how students want to study and how to improve your experience at Kent.

We’ve been in touch previously letting you know about the changes to term times, starting this coming September. The 2025/26 academic year will change to three 10-week terms, instead of the current two 12-week terms and a 6-week assessment term. As we updated last summer, the way you select and take your modules will be changing.

Generally, from September 2025 you’ll study two 20 credit modules in each of the three terms, (four terms for Postgraduates) or sometimes larger modules will be studied across multiple terms. The amount of teaching you receive, and broad module content will remain the same, but with the assessments within each term rather than the end of the academic year.

When Online Module Registration opens (Monday 24 March – Friday 4 April) you will need to select your modules for the next academic year based on your Subject Requirements. Most students will be able to choose from a selection of Optional Modules, which will continue to feature popular topics. If your modules are all compulsory they will be added automatically, and you will not be required to take part in OMR.

Find out more

For full information check the Online Module Registration guidance including Subject Requirements, Exemptions and an FAQ section. You can read more about the Education Modernisation changes here.

You can also drop us a line at csao@kent.ac.uk if you want to talk it through.

Are you getting heard?

Student feedback is a powerful catalyst for driving positive change and ensuring that Kent remains a dynamic and relevant place to study, both now and in the future. It offers you the opportunity to shape your own university experience while helping Kent continually evolve to meet the needs of its students.

Your voice matters—whether it’s sharing your thoughts on course content, teaching methods, or the overall student experience.

Together, we can create a more vibrant and enriching environment. It’s your university—make sure your voice is heard and help drive the change you want to see.

app store on iPhone

Useful apps to download

Here are some useful apps, services and social media channels to download, use and follow as you start your studies at Kent. From getting around to helping you study smarter, here are a few of our suggestions!

Apps to download

Uni Kent Student App – This will hold all the information you need about becoming a student at Kent – a must have! It has quick links to key services such as your Kent email and Moodle as well as other useful features.

Safezone – This is the campus safety app which gives round-the-clock safety reassurance to all students and staff. It’s free to download and easy to use. You can access first-aid, security, or safety assistance via your phone.

Order Up! – Skip the queues with Kent’s app for table service and click & collect. The app can be used in all University of Kent catering outlets. Simply scan the QR code on the table to order.

Bus apps – These apps have a journey planner, live bus information (in real time) and you can even purchase mobile bus tickets at discounted prices. For Canterbury students, download the Stagecoach app. For Medway students, download the Arriva app. Find out more about travel and discount offers available to students.

Train apps – Southeastern. The ‘on Track’ app helps you access (also) real-time information on trains in Kent. Especially helpful if you’re looking to travel to London from Canterbury West and want to find out when the next train is! There is also National Rail Enquiries which provides information on trains for the whole of the UK if you are travelling outside of Kent.

Taxi apps – Only a few of the companies have an app some of which include: Longley’s Private Hire (Canterbury), Computer Cabs (Medway), and Vokes Taxi (Medway). You can find more information about booking a taxi in the UK and the full list of the services the University of Kent uses. If you’re a Canterbury student, check out the Student Safe Taxi scheme. 

Circuit – This is the campus laundry service app. All launderettes on campus are card or app operated so if you need to do a wash, make sure you familiarise yourself with the app ahead of time. Find out more about laundry services on campus.

Home at Halls – This app is here to make your life easier whilst living on campus. It has a range of great features meaning you can report any accommodation faults you find, complete your room inventory when you arrive, access important information about your accommodation agreement, contact the team for support and receive updates and more all in one place on your phone. The app is free and whilst you should download the app in advance, you won’t be able to sign in with your Kent login until after you have collected your keys from reception. 

Students’ Union app – Get the most from your student experience with Your Students’ Union App! Your one-stop-shop for getting involved with your Students’ Union. It’s your SU – at your finger tips! Discover events, vote easily in elections and join sports and societies with a few quick steps.

Other things to look at 

Who doesn’t want to work and study smarter? Make sure to check out our software finder to discover free apps and software for students and staff to help you make the most out of your time at Kent. From helping you stay focused to supporting accessibility needs, we’d highly recommend you have a browse. Did you know, you can download Microsoft Office 365 for free?

For student discounts check out Unidays. From discounts on food and drink to clothes to technology it’s a must to check out! Happy browsing!

calendar with yellow marker pen

Managing your studies

Good time management and organisation are key to staying on top of your studies. You will need to plan your time and your assignments, maintain a good filing system for all your study materials, and ensure that you keep pace with your course.

Plan your time

Use a time planner

Use a time planner to take control of your time. This will involve organising your studies (lectures, seminars, reading and assignments) along with all other activities and commitments in your life (work, family etc) throughout the year. Try colour coding different activities on your planner to help keep track of them.

Plan each assignment

Start each assignment as early as possible. Working backwards from the deadline, consider the stages of work needed to complete each one and estimate how long you have to dedicate to each, then plot them on your time planner. Complete each stage of work on time to avoid last minute panics and to meet your deadlines. For a sample of stages in one type of assignment, see managing your essay.

Set achievable goals and prioritise tasks

Divide individual days into bitesize chunks of time and allocate an achievable task to each session e.g. 9-11am – Read/make notes on Journal article x; 11-12am – Draw up essay plan for assignment y; 12-1pm – Proof-read report z… etc. This will keep you focussed and productive, and ensure constant progress.

Consider which tasks are both important and urgent – e.g. Proof-read and submit assignment x – and prioritise these on your daily schedule.

Set up a filing system

Group, organise and store information and work in a logical order

  • Think about where and how you will group, organise and store course information, handouts, research and your notes so you can find them easily e.g. ‘Module X: Topic A/B/C/D’ or ‘Assignment Y: Research/Notes/Drafts’.
  • Number assignment drafts (essays, project reports etc) to keep track of the most recent version.
  • Use ring binders with labelled dividers, computer folders/files or a mixture both to stay organised and save time.

Back-up work regularly on your computer to avoid any risk of losing it

 

Keep on top of your work

Be pro-active

If you find yourself falling behind with your studies don’t ignore it, reflect on the reasons, consider solutions and take action – action can even be seeking advice if you are struggling or not sure of what you are doing

Seek help in plenty of time if you need it

Ask your lecturer or seek advice from relevant university services which may include:

Resources

For more information on all topics mentioned above and more visit the Student Learning Advisory Service – University of Kent (SLAS) we also offer appointments and workshops.

Student on laptop

Don’t forget to enrol or re-register by 16 Oct

New students, if you haven’t already, please remember to enrol online by 10:00 on 16 October 2023.

Returning students, you also need to complete Returning Registration by 10:00 on 16 October 2023.

This is to let us know you will definitely be studying with us this academic year. If you can’t register for financial reasons, visit the Financial Aid team in the Arrivals Hub (Canterbury campus).

Find out more on the How to enrol webpage.