The University Chorus and Orchestra join forces this Saturday (7 December) to explore the musical legacy of three great composers, in a programme including Haydn’s rousing ‘Te Deum’ and Beethoven’s effervescent First Symphony.
Two Music Scholarship pianists also join the performers for two of Brahms’ lyrical ‘Liebesliederwaltzer.’
Tickets for the performance are still available from the Gulbenkian Box Office; join them this Saturday night!
After the success of the first event on 11 November, Miray Has and her team have organised the second event in the series, in collaboration with the University of Kent TED Society, which will take place on Monday 9th December, Sibson LT3, 18:00-19:30.
The speakers are:
Libby Kane – The Case Against Detention Centres
Aya Raphael & Riwa Haider – Lebanese Revolution is Women
Nour Barham – What is home?
This is a great opportunity to collaborate with your friends all around campus, meet like-minded people and deepen your educational and social values.
Learn more about Kent Talks online or email Miray Has for more information or if you would like a presentation slot for one of the future events.
The Student Projects Grant Scheme 2020 is now inviting applications from student groups and societies.
Funded by the Kent Opportunity Fund, which was established to increase opportunities for students at Kent, The Student Projects Grant Scheme allows donations given by alumni and friends of the University to reach as many students as possible by enabling groups of students to bid for funds to run their own projects.
The 2020 Student Projects Grant Scheme will be open for applications on 1st December 2019. The maximum grant is £2000 per project. There is £10,000 available to fund Student Projects this year. Applications are welcome from student societies in Kent Union, and students groups representing departments, faculties and schools across the University, including the campuses in Canterbury and Medway, our centre in Tonbridge and the University’s European centres in Brussels, Paris, Athens and Rome. The deadline for the applications will be 17th January 2020.
If you have any questions, please contact Alex Perkins (01227 824547). To find out more please visit the Student Projects page.
“The Students Project Scheme receives a number of varied applications from students each year. Applications for funding are always of a high quality and this year the Panel has to allocate £10k to support projects that will further enhance the student experience and employability of Kent students.”
– James Corbin, Head of Careers and Employability Services
All Kent students are invited to the upcoming Global Hangout Christmas Special which will be hosted at the Gulbenkian cafe on 10 December from 5 – 7pm.
There will be an interactive quiz to test student’s knowledge on holiday traditions across the world, as well as other games and activities such as decorating gingerbread people.
Come along for some Christmas cheer, food and networking fun. Mulled wine and mince pies will also be provided!
Book your place and encourage any friends to sign up and celebrate the end of Autumn term.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Hosted by Kent’s Global Officers, c/o International Partnerships.
For more information, please visit Global Hangout page.
The PRIDE Award recognises members of Kent Hospitality staff who go out of their way to deliver excellent customer service.
Do you know of a Kent Hospitality staff member (permanent or casual) who has shown excellent customer service during the Autumn Term? If so, please take a few minutes to make your nomination online or pick up a paper form next to the red nomination boxes located in Kent Hospitality’s catering outlets and College reception areas – if you prefer you can also email pride@kent.ac.uk.
The nomination deadline is 12.00 on Wednesday 4 December.
Please make your nominations detailed, providing as much information as possible why the nominee should be considered for the award. The panel are looking for staff who achieve more than just what is expected in their role (i.e. hardworking, professional, positive and friendly attitude). Kent staff, students or members of the public can submit nominations.
The award is given out four times a year with each winner receiving £100 of shopping vouchers, a certificate and PRIDE badge.
If you are staying over in Kent during the winter break you will be delighted to know that there are many activities for you take part in.
From our campuses at Canterbury and Medway to the town centres, there is everything from visiting Christmas markets, sightseeing, attending the theatre, going Christmas sale shopping or even sledging.
While our campuses have a limited opening hours you will still be able to access the library, IT services, restaurants, bars and sports centre.
With regards to Medway and Canterbury the festive period will be a great chance for you to explore the local area and take part in the many activities.
You can find out about the campus Christmas hours here.
Travel regarding Brexit
If you are a UK National travelling abroad during the Christmas period you will need to head to the UK Government Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) for information where they have a dedicated website with up-to-date travel advice after Brexit.
You can get latest updates from the FCO Travel Advice Twitter feed (@FCOTravel) and via the hashtag #PrepareforEUExit.
The University’s Estates team has information on travel disruption around campus. Many travel providers also have specific Brexit advice relevant to their services on their website, including Eurotunnel and National Express.
If you are not a UK National there will be no change to the rights and status of EU/EEA citizens currently living in the UK until 31 December 2020. This means that if you travel outside of the UK during your studies, you should be able to return as normal.
Students who are non-EU/EEA nationals but are a dependant of an EU/EEA national should ensure that they hold a valid family permit.
For those coming to the UK from outside the EU, you will still be able to travel provided your Tier 4 visa is valid.
There is more information on the potential impact of Brexit on students on the Brexit pages of our website.
If you are staying over in Kent during the winter break you will be delighted to know that there are many activities for you take part in.
We would like to invite you to join us for Carols Around the Tree on 4 December 2019.
Staff, students and alumni will be coming together on campus to sing carols. Accompanied by a student brass ensemble, the carols will take place around the University of Kent Campus Christmas Tree beside the Registry from 16.30 on Wednesday 4 December.
We hope you can make it!
For more information please contact a.r.perkins@kent.ac.uk
Development Office team
The Kent Financial Support Package (KFSP) 2019/20 is a financial support package of £4,500 for eligible undergraduate students across three stages of full-time study. Eligible students studying a full time four year undergraduate programme with a sandwich year or an integrated Masters year will receive a further cash bursary of £1,500.
All new full-time students should now have been automatically assessed for the KFSP. Students who have not received a letter confirming eligibility for the KFSP should contact the Financial Aid Office. Some students may need to make a separate application.
New part-time students starting in the academic year 2019/20 may be eligible for a pro rata cash bursary in each year of study as part of the KFSP. Part-time students will need to make an application.
The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) provides financial assistance to UK students so they can access and remain in higher education, particularly those students who need financial help to meet extra costs that cannot be met from other sources of support.
The amount will depend on your circumstances and how many applications the fund receives.
The University can lend students who are in financial difficulty up to £240 to help with their immediate essential living costs, such as food and essential travel.
Kent Emergency Student Loans (KESL) are available to all undergraduate and postgraduate, Home, EU or International, full-time or part-time students, who find themselves in temporary financial difficulties. Any loan would need to be repaid within 3 months.
Learn more about the other financial support packages available. If you need more help on your funding and financial support options, email financialaid@kent.ac.uk or call 01227 823851/824876/823488.
The University has won the Outstanding Library Team category of the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2019.
This award ‘recognises outstanding work in library and information-services departments, in particular with regards to collaboration with other administrative and academic departments to enhance the team’s delivery, and the effective use of leading-edge practices from other sectors’.
The Library Team is part of part of Information Services and its collaboration with colleagues from a range of Schools and departments on the University’s accessibility project OPERA and its Student Success Project contributed significantly towards its success. Its Collection Engagement Strategy, through which it connects with local communities, alumni and other libraries, and the Kent Book Club – created alongside Kent Union for students who want to discover new books and resources outside of their academic studies – also played an important part.
The judges remarked on the team’s ‘inventive collaboration’ and its ‘particularly noteworthy’ innovation in fostering co-created reading lists. They said the work was an example of ‘collaborative working in the digital and physical environment’ that sought to ‘transform’ the student experience by building inclusivity and diversity into learning and research.
Kent’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Karen Cox said: ‘On behalf of all our students and staffI would like to congratulate the team on winning this award. The work of Library colleagues is inspiring and the team should be rightly proud of this tremendous achievement.’
John Sotillo, Director of Information Services, added: ‘I am absolutely delighted that the professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm of our staff has been recognised with this prestigious award. I would like to thank everyone who has helped make our Library services one of the best in the UK. Many congratulations to all.’
Information Services was also a recent finalist at the Society of College, National and University Libraries – Library Design Awards for its work to create the outstanding Templeman Library.
Kent has previously won THE awards in the category Outstanding Support for Students; once for the Student Success Project and once for OPERA.
Come one, come all! ‘Tis the season to be…active! Get those seasonal clothes and jolly ol’ cheer ready for our fun Christmas activities on Wednesday 4 December. Jump-start your festive spirit with our Christmas-themed fun-run and fitness classes. Santa outfits encouraged!
Santa Run
A free 3km charity fun run in support of Kent Team Uni Boob with a suggested donation of £2. Meet the Kent Sport team at 12:30pm for registration and the run will start at 1pm at The Plaza, finishing at The Pavilion. Christmas-themed costumes encouraged! We also promise to fill you up with hot chocolate and mince pies afterwards for ALL participants. This event is open to all and you do not need to be a Kent Sport member to participate.
Those who email sportsdevelopment@kent.ac.uk will receive a Santa hat prior to the run.
Christmas-themed fitness and dance classes
We also have Christmas-themed fitness and dance classes in the Sports Centre to give you that extra special feeling later in the day.
5.30pm Santa’s Freestyle Cycle
Don’t be left home alone! Come and join us for a super festive spin session hosted by Mrs Claus, Sarah and her Santa’s little helper, DJ Gee Cee on the turntables.
6.30pm Jingle Bell Zumba
Deck the halls, it’s time to rock around the Christmas tree with your favourite little elves Jeni and Emma.
7.30pm Silent Night Relaxation
After a long winters day its time to relax and stretch the night away… with your ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ Jeni.
Booking information for fitness classes:
Free for Premium Plus and Premium members. Normal class rates apply for Plus and Pay to Play members (£4.50 for students, £5.50 for staff).Not a member? Visit www.kent.ac.uk/sports/membership