Category Archives: Student Guide

Kent Culture

Kent is an open, friendly, and inclusive environment for everyone. The people around you will be from a variety of backgrounds, faiths, belief systems, viewpoints, nationalities, sexualities, and gender identities. This mix is one of the things that makes Kent, and higher education in general, so special and we are proud to be classed as a University of Sanctuary. You are likely never again going to be in an environment with such a rich and vibrant mix of opinions and viewpoints!

We want to take this opportunity to remind all students that we expect people to be treated respectfully and that you can expect to be treated with respect.

You can find out more about this by taking our Expect Respect e-learning module.

Visible expressions of beliefs or viewpoints such as lanyards, posters, badges, flags etc, whilst welcomed, come with an expectation that you will still behave in an appropriate way and in line with the Kent Student Charter and Respect at Kent policy.

We do not expect people to be challenged about their backgrounds, faiths, belief systems, viewpoints, nationalities, sexualities and gender identities beyond reasonable academic debate and the exercise of freedom of speech within the law in appropriate settings, such as seminars and organised debates; if you are challenged inappropriately please do contact Campus Security if you are feeling threatened or at risk or report via the online reporting tool Report and Support. You can also access support via the SafeZone app; do download it onto your phone. In an emergency you should always dial 999.

We do not tolerate bullying, discrimination or harassment of any groups or individuals on any basis.

If you have been impacted and need further support, we do have several avenues available for students:

• Student Support and Wellbeing: If you need urgent support, Mon-Fri, 9-5pm, contact and ask for urgent mental health support. 01227 823158 / KentSSW@kent.ac.uk
• Spectrum Life: provides free, 24/7 online, text and telephone support from qualified counsellors and mental health professionals
• Togetherall: provides free, 24/7 online mental health and wellbeing support
• Chaplaincy offers a space for quiet reflection. Chaplains are here to listen, to care and to help all staff and students
• Academic Advisors: if you feel that your academic work is being negatively impacted, speak to your Academic Advisor for advice

Remember, everyone has a part to play in ensuring that Kent remains an inclusive, kind, and welcoming environment for all.

‘Pause for Paws’ at the Templeman Library

Need some furry comfort to help ease into Uni life? We got you!

‘Pause for Paws’ in Templeman Library is back at 15:00 in Nexus (Block D, Ground Floor). Running nearly every Tuesday during term time, this weekly initiative is one of our favourite ways to bring joy, relaxation and sense of wellbeing to students and staff at Kent.

So take a break from your hectic schedules and visit Templeman Library to say hello to Pancho. He is a certified Pets as Therapy dog, very friendly, calm and loves being fussed over!

It’s an opportunity to boost mental wellbeing, alleviate stress and recharge amidst your daily commitments.

Upcoming dates (autumn term)

Tuesday, 23 September, 2025
Tuesday, 30 September, 2025
Tuesday, 7 October, 2025
Tuesday, 14 October, 2025

Keep up to date with our events!

As the ‘Heart of Campus’ we believe in embracing a spirit of discovery and providing an enriching environment beyond the conventional expectations of a library.

At the Templeman Library you always get more than you expect. Library events page.

Make a difference! Join our Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel

Are you passionate about equality of opportunity in higher education? Do you want to ensure that the student voice is at the heart of decisions shaping your university experience? Then the Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel (WPSAP) is the opportunity for you #YourUniYourSay

Applications to become a Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel member open on Monday 29 September and close on Thursday 9 October – don’t miss your chance to apply! Interviews will take place the week commencing 13 October.

Who can apply?

Any current student can apply (UG or PG). We are particularly keen to have representation from students who identify with one of the following characteristics: 

Mature students (aged 21 or over on starting a current undergraduate degree)
Students from a global majority background (Black, Asian & minority ethnic)
Students currently studying at the Medway campus
Students that are male
Students who are the first in their family to go to university (not including siblings)
Students who are young carers
Students studying without the support of their family
Care leavers or care experienced students
Students who are unaccompanied asylum seekers or refugees
Students from the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman or Boater communities
Students who are part of a military family
Students in receipt of the Kent Financial Support Package 
Students from POLAR or TUNDRA Quintiles 1 or 2 (check your postcode).

What to expect?

We will invite successful applicants for a short, informal, interview on the week commencing 13 October.

Successful candidates will then be invited to attend a training session on the 21 October. The training session will be recorded, so don’t worry if you cannot make it!

The WPSAP will meet at least once per term. Meetings are held on the Canterbury Campus (with the option of attending virtually if required) and usually last 2 hours.

2025/26 WPSAP meetings:

28 October 10:00 – 12:00
20 Jan 10:00 – 12:00 
28 April 10:00 – 12:00

Students are remunerated for their time by way of a £10 gift voucher for every hour of attendance at meetings and are eligible for 20 Employability Points throughout the academic year for their involvement on the WPSAP.

Why Apply?

This is your chance to make a real difference to the student experience at Kent while building skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership. For further information and to apply, please visit: Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel – Schools and Colleges – University of Kent

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.

Join an Advisory Board and get rewarded!

Advisory Boards bring together groups of students to discuss and advise on specific topics. Working in collaboration with Kent Students’ Union and University of Kent, students on Advisory Boards help to plan University activities and campaigns, contribute to enhancing University student support and services, and make recommendations to feed into changes to University policies and practices.

Students who join Advisory Boards will earn Employability Points, and will be compensated for their time and active participation.

Joining an Advisory Board is a chance to actively contribute to positive change on topics that interest you, and also provides experience to help you develop your leadership and communication skills.

Current Advisory Boards focus on the following student areas:

International Student experience
Wellbeing
Widening Participation
Postgraduate Research

Now recruiting for the International Student Advisory Board! See the webpage for details.

Campus Shuttle Service is Back – Book Your Seat Now!

We are excited to let you know that the Campus Shuttle booking system is now live, with services resuming from 27 September 2025.

To travel, you’ll need to book your seat in advance through the Zeelo app. Here’s how to get started:

Download the Zeelo app (IOS or Android) or visit Zeelo.co.
Search for the University of Kent Campus Shuttle.
Claim your free University of Kent Travel Pass.
Use your pass to book journeys between Canterbury and Medway.

We recommend using the Zeelo app so you can be notified of any disruptions to your booked journeys.

All passes are valid for any of the below serviced stops between Canterbury and Medway.

Keynes bus stop
Pier Quays
Historic Dockyard
Pembroke.

If you are travelling from Pier Quays or the Historic Dockyard, please make sure to check the pick-up/drop-off times on the timetable. This may differ slightly from the time shown in your app and on your booking.

Need help booking? You can watch the booking video or read the step-by-step booking guide.

Accessibility:

Wheelchair users or passengers with restricted mobility who may find it difficult to board a standard coach, you can still book a place by contacting Zeelo directly with at least 12 hours’ notice.

Returning to Kent? Don’t forget to complete registration!

If you’re coming back to continue your studies this academic year at Kent, there’s one super important thing you need to do before anything else — complete your Returning Registration on KentVision.

Completing Returning Registration confirms that you’re officially back and ready to study. Without it, you might:

Lose access to your timetable and modules
Delay your Student Finance payments
Risk being unable to continue your course

Key dates

You can complete Returning Registration NOW and you don’t need to wait for an email invite to get started!

The deadline is Monday 20 October 2025, but don’t leave it to the last minute. Medical School students have earlier deadlines, so check yours carefully.

What you’ll need to do

Once you log into KentVision, you’ll see a banner prompting you to start. You’ll go through a few quick steps:

Check your personal and contact details
Confirm your course info
Upload passport/visa documents if needed
Agree to the University’s terms and conditions
Complete voter registration preferences

Each section gets a green tick when done. See the full guidance here.

Once submitted, you can’t edit the info, so double-check everything before clicking continue.

Tips

Update your term-time address — especially if you’ve moved!
Check your emergency contact — make sure it’s someone reachable.
Upload clear passport/visa photos — no cropped images!
Don’t confuse this with Module Registration — that’s separate.

Need help?

If you hit a snag (like a finance flag or debt), reach out to the Student Fees Collection team. For anything else, the Student Record Administration Office is your go-to.

Canterbury: Visit the Arrivals Hub in Templeman Library (until 21 Oct) or Nexus (from 22 Oct)
Medway: Medway Building Reception
Email: csao@kent.ac.uk

Planned protest in Canterbury

We are aware of a planned march and protest in Canterbury this Saturday (20 September), along with a counter demonstration. The proposed route begins at Westgate Towers from 10am and will proceed through the High Street, Broad Street and Military Road. As with any protest, this is likely to cause some traffic disruption in and around the city centre, so please plan ahead.

Lawful protests, marches and demonstrations play a powerful part in democracy, but we know they can be concerning. We have a clear commitment to a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud to have a welcoming environment for all. We want to reassure you of the support available to everyone at the University.

University Support Services

Campus Security can be reached 24/7 via 01227 823300 if you are worried about your safety on campus.
Use the SafeZone app which can links you directly with security support on and off campus.
Report and Support if you witness or experience any form of harassment or abuse you can report this directly.
Student Support and Wellbeing offer direct support to anyone worried about the effect on your wellbeing. They also have 24-hour emergency support available.

We are in regular contact with Kent Police regarding anything that could affect our community, and you can report crimes directly to Kent Police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

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.

Our response to KSU concerns about Starbucks on campus

We are aware of the concerns raised by Kent Students’ Union (KSU) and have been, and will continue to, engage with them and our wider student body to address these.

Throughout the process of exploring the future of our catering provision, we worked hard to ensure that our key stakeholders, including KSU, were engaged.

We held a supplier showcase and worked in partnership with KSU to ensure that a diverse range of staff and students were invited to this. This included the opportunity to gather feedback from our wider community about the options on offer.

We also ensured that there were student and staff representation on the procurement panel – with the then KSU president being part of this. This collaboration of diverse viewpoints helped shape the future catering strategy and partnership with Chartwells Universities – and embedded the concept of choice.

The decision to offer branded experiences – including Costa Coffee and Starbucks – on campus is part of this focus on giving students more choice and variety when it comes to catering. We know our students look for different options when deciding what to eat and drink.

These new offers mean students have an even wider variety of options than ever before including Social Impact Coffee, local provider Garage Coffee as well as the Library Café and Caffè Nero.

The introduction of “We Proudly Serve” Starbucks coffee means that staff, students and visitors can enjoy Starbucks coffee on our Canterbury campus, served by our Chartwells catering staff. This outlet is not a franchise model. The coffee bean is supplied by Nestle and the staff are Chartwells employees not Starbucks employees, working under University/Chartwells’ terms, conditions and receive Chartwells staff benefits. This outlet is subject to the University’s high sustainability and ethical working standards.

This work is alongside our continued efforts around the cost of living and supporting our students with food insecurity. From the start of the new academic year, our Savour Range at the Canterbury campus will be available with prices ranging from £3.50 – £4.00, and will be available at more outlets across campus, giving students greater choice and convenience.

We will continue to listen to and engage with our students as they return to campus, as well as our staff.