Are you a home undergraduate (on your first degree) or a home taught master’s student? If you’re getting a loan from Student Finance but not the full amount, you might be able to get more support.

If your household income hasn’t been assessed yet —or your financial situation has changed this academic year (for example, your parents’ or partner’s income has dropped) —you could be eligible for extra funding.

But don’t wait! The deadline to report a change in financial circumstances is the end of May.

Updating your financial information with the Student Loans Company could increase your loan amount. It could also strengthen your case if you apply for University Hardship Funding.

What to do now:

1. Check if you’ve had a full financial assessment.
2. If not, update your household income details with Student Finance.
3. If your circumstances have changed, report it ASAP.

Need help?
Contact Kent Students’ Union’s Advice Service for support, and check out the official guidance on the GOV.UK website.

Kent Students’ Union (KSU) is calling on all students and staff to sign a petition aimed at improving employment policies for those holding a student visa.

International students contribute greatly to the vibrant and diverse communities within universities, yet many face financial strain due to the current restrictions on working hours and the inability to engage in independent work.

The petition, created by Cláudia Moreira (VP for Postgrad and International Student Experience at KSU), seeks to make changes to the current employment restrictions.

Key changes the petition advocates for:

1. Increasing working hours: The petition calls for the cap on working hours for international students to be raised from 20 to 30 hours per week. This would enable students to better support themselves financially without affecting their academic performance.
2. Independent work and entrepreneurship: It also advocates for international students to have the right to engage in independent work, such as freelancing, or even start their own small businesses. This would provide them with more opportunities to gain real-world experience and further their careers.
3. Flexibility during intermission periods: Students currently can only work full-time during the holidays. The petition calls for full-time work flexibility during intermission periods as well, giving students a chance to work without constraints.
4. Extension of intermission periods: Finally, the petition calls for an extension of the intermission period from 59 to 120 days. This will provide international students more time to balance their academic commitments and prevent burnout.

How you can help

Signing this petition is an easy yet impactful way to support international students at Kent and beyond. You can sign the petition and learn more by visiting the petition page here.

The Main Entrance to the Templeman Library will be closed during the first week of the Easter vacation from Monday 7 until Sunday 13 April. This is to enable essential building work to replace old light fittings and install Smartscan lighting as we continue our journey towards Carbon Net Zero.

The Library will remain open 24/7 and be fully accessible via the three alternative entrances: Library Road, Terrace and Grimond. All Library services and facilities will be available during these building works.

Kent students and staff will need to use their KentOne cards to access the building. Visitors are advised to use the Library Road Entrance intercom system to request access.

Welcome Desk services will be available from the Welcome Hall, and Nexus and Library & IT Support will remain open in D Block ground floor.

We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Last week student volunteers from across the University were presented with certificates on completion of their training as East Kent Mind Ambassadors. East Kent Mind, who run the  Kent Community Oasis Garden (KentCOG) in partnership with the University, have developed the Ambassador scheme as part of a newly launched East Kent Mind Society, which will run with a strong affiliation between the society and its parent charity to give support. To become an ambassador an individual completes a training package and takes on an element of social action volunteering for the charity.

Simon Dolby, Development Lead at East Kent Mind told us: ‘So far 30 students from the University of Kent have completed their ambassador training and are now planning social action to support the work of East Kent Mind, but we are keen for more potential ambassadors to come forward.’ 

Students who were a mixture of KentCOG Ambassadors, student volunteers and ResLife Ambassadors received their completion certificates from Professor Iain Wilkinson and were inducted to take part in EK Mind Social Action Projects. These include creating supporting East Kent Mind’s Wear It Blue campaign during Mental Health Awareness Week in May, encouraging positive conversations around mental health wider community, a fundraising fun run, as well as volunteering in the wider community for example, at Mind’s Revival Cafe in Whitstable. 

Earning their East Kent Mind Wellbeing Ambassador status with the charity, were third year students Katie Whitewood and Rosie Hawkins, Co-Presidents of the new society who helped create the initiative along with Simon Dolby.

Katie explained her motivation for getting involved: ‘Mind is all about connections and helping others feel seen and supported. I want to help strengthen our links with East Kent mind and really make sure that students are aware of our support off-campus.’ She added: ‘We are looking to expand our outreach, particularly to students at Canterbury Christ Church University, where bridging connections between universities is an important step in supporting mental health universally.’

Rosie told us why she feels this initiative is so important saying: ‘Mental health should always be top of our priority list. It is a given that Uni adds to mental health stresses, with deadlines, presentations and exams – it’s not easy. But one of our driving motivations is to create a safe space so you fell you have a shoulder to lean on, whether you need advice, guidance or a chat.’ 

There is also invaluable experience to be gained too. Wellbeing Officer, Reiss is thinking about this path for his ongoing career: ‘I hope to be able to take my training forward, as I go through a masters’ and hopefully a PHD.’

The full list of East Kent Mind Wellbeing Ambassadors are as follows:  

• Katie Whitewood 
• Gellian May Legaspi 
• Reiss Cordrey 
• Alisa Chin 
• Neive Wright (external to Uni)  
• Daisy Gower 
• Tabi Oyewumi 
• Mashaal Chughtai 
• Eren Newham 
• Balpreet Kaur 
• Ikeoluma Modebelu  
• Franco Brichetti 
• Neemisha Das 
• Dacian Stan 
• Nehi Eigbefoh 
• Preston-Paris Ingold  
• Zarine Zafar 
• Emily Catlin 
• Hayley Blackburn  
• Ria Groz 
• Rosie Hawkins
• Parvathy Rajeev
• Kerriva Kent-Ramotar
• Chloe Birkett
• Lauren Mansfield
• Himadri Himadri
• Melissa Da Silva

If you are interested in the East Kent Mind Society email ( society@eastkentmind.org.uk ) Rosie’s. If you would like to apply to become an East Kent Mind Ambassador contact the East Kent Mind Society ( ambassador@eastkentmind.org.uk ).

An exciting new fusion cocktail brand took top honours at the Business Start-Up Journey pitching finals in a close fought competition bringing together students from across the university. 

The winners

Kent Business School student, Danika Hossain, and her business partner, Arshia Bhatnagar, were crowned winners after a slick presentation of their start-up business, Bhangra Blends, a ready to drink cocktail combining traditional recipes with Indian flavours. 

Danika said afterwards: “Winning the competition was an incredible experience for us, and we’re truly grateful for the opportunity. We had a fantastic time participating.” 

Danika and Arshia win £1000 to support making their start-up dream a reality. 

The runners up

Runners up in the competition were Kent Business School students Toyin Sanyaolu with Wonder Lab an immersive STEM teaching programme and Akash Ramakrishna Iytha with Stitchcraft, a customised tailoring business aimed at the Indian wedding market. 

The both win £500 to support their business journey. 

The finalists

In total, eight Kent students entered the dragons’ den in to impress judges including the founder of international fashion brand Dune London, Daniel Rubin. 

They were selected following the inspiring 15-week Business Start-Up Journey programme. 

The other worthy finalists were 

• Jane Davidson (History) with Positive Procrastination – time management tools. 

• Felicity James (LSSJ) with Dive Right In – an inclusive swim school. 

• Aamir Khokhar (KBS) with Khocars tours – inclusive sports car road trips 

• Rhoslyn Singh (Engineering) – Rhoslyn’s Art – direct to consumer hand-painted artwork 

• Likith Reddy Ramidi (KBS) – Gigamesh – hybrid digital marketing agency 

The finalists competed in the pitching finals in Sibson on Wednesday 19 March.  

The judges

The judges were: 

• Emay Enemokwu, KBS graduate and founder of JEHUCAL streetwear brand  

• Nadia Simpson, KBS graduate and founder of Your Amora and NuEleFa beauty brands  

• Daniel Rubin, KBS graduate (second 500), Kent Hon Doc and founder Dune London  

• Alex Ford, Computer Science graduate, serial entrepreneur and founder Claro Wealth  

• Laura Bounds MBE owner of award-winning brands Kent Crisps, Kentish Oils, Kentish Condiments and A Little Bit Food Co  

• Debbie Zaman, Angel investor and mentor for the Innovation RCA incubator at the Royal College of Art. Supporter of woman in business and (Exited) Founder of With, PR agency. 

The finalists worked with mentors to help them prepare for the pitching finals. Mentors include owner of Garage Coffee, Luke Underdown, owner of Macknade Fine Food Hall, Stefano Cuomo and Dan Crooks, MD of iFruits. 

ASPIRE pop-up market

Alongside the pitching finals, the ASPIRE pop-up market saw students from across campus showcase and sell their wares with start-ups including fashion, jewellery, crochet, food and drink and a virtual reality world.  

Learn more about the Business Start-Up Journey.

Find out what’s on this week as we reach the end of the Spring term!

Monday 31 March: Finding a job as an international student and working abroad

Are you an international student based at the Medway campus? Join this in-person session to help you to find a job as an international student.

Interested in working abroad as part of your degree, summer break or after graduation? Learn more at this information session which includes an introduction to GoingGlobal – a platform available for Kent students to find opportunities and detailed information about working abroad.

Tuesday 1 April: Pets as therapy (Medway), editing and proofreading webinar and Research Café

Spend some time with a cute therapy dog at The Hub in Medway over Tuesday lunchtime. Take the time to relax and connect.

Are you missing out on a higher grade because you haven’t taken the time to edit and proofread your work? The Skills for Academic Success team are running a webinar to help you learn how to edit and proofread effectively.

Postgraduate researchers are invited to come along to the Research Café, which is an opportunity to share, learn and connect with other PGR students. The Café will provide the opportunity for two or three researchers to present their research in a friendly and supportive environment.

Wednesday 2 April: Plant pot painting (Medway), planting seeds, Easter Extravaganza

At Medway you can join a Crafternoon at The Hub where you can paint plant pots – perfect for adding a personal touch to your greenery.

Come down to Kent Community Oasis Garden and help get the garden growing by joining our monthly seed sow activity. Plant this month’s vegetable and flower seeds in seed trays and compost to grow in the polytunnels on site. No experience necessary.

ResLife are hosting an Easter Extravaganza for all students who live on campus. As well as enjoying fun activities with chances to win Amazon vouchers, you can also enjoy some free food! There’s a choice of nachos or a hot dog and churros or ice cream. Plus look out for Kent Bunny who will be handing out Easter Eggs.

Thursday 3 April: Exam support and Drag Bingo

If you have non-essay-based exams, join this webinar to learn about how to answer multiple choice questions (MCQs) and short answer questions (SCQs).

Join Delilah Tickles and Anita Wee for a hilarious, glitzy night of Drag Queen Bingo at Mungo’s on Thursday evening. Expect hilarious commentary, four rounds of bingo, sing-alongs, and a chance to win weird and wonderful prizes.

Friday 4 April: Gardening at Kent Community Oasis Garden and volunteering

On Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:00-14:00, you can join an open volunteering session at Kent Community Oasis Garden. It’s a collection of students, staff and community members working to create a sustainability hub centred around growing food. Everyone is welcome.

Interested in volunteering? Join this online session to find out how volunteering can give you valuable skills and experience and how you might get started with volunteering.

Opportunities and reminders

• It’s time for continuing undergraduate students from England to apply for student finance. Apply now to make sure your funding is in place for September 2025.
• Online Module Registration for your 2025/26 modules is open until Friday 4 April.
• Over the next couple of months, some University communications sent by email, such as student updates and announcements, will use a new address format: @lists.kent.ac.uk to help improve security.
• Parkys’ Preloved, the new charity shop on campus, is now open and supporting the Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy.
• Complete the Kent Sport Student Activity Survey by Friday 4 April to give your feedback and be entered into a prize draw to win £250 Kent One card credit.
• Are you a postgraduate student? Fill in your postgraduate survey by 9 May for the chance to win £250! Check your student emails for your personalised survey link from Jisc.

It’s time for continuing undergraduate students from England to apply for student finance.

Apply now to make sure your funding is in place for September 2025.

Before you apply:

• Check your tuition fees for 2025-26
• Find out what type of funding is available and if you can get any extra help
• Get an estimate of how much Maintenance Loan you’ll get using the Student Finance Calculator
• Find out if you’re eligible for student finance on GOV.UK.
• Check what identity documents you’ll need to apply. For most students this can be a valid UK Passport number on your application
• Speak to your parents or partner and let them know you’ll need their National Insurance number if you’re applying for funding based on your household income

Tuition fees for 2025-26

The UK government announced back in November 2024 that tuition fees across the country will increase from August 2025, as such the amount of Tuition Fee Loan students can apply for has increased. Maintenance loan amounts have also increased. Here’s a reminder of tuition fees at Kent for the 2025-26 academic year.