Category Archives: Student Guide

English Language and Academic Skills workshops

Is English not your first language?

We offer a FREE English language course for all Kent students.

English Language and Academic Skills (ELAS) helps you improve your English and gives you the chance to discuss your specific academic difficulties. Workshops include:

ED001 Essay Writing

ED002 Grammar

ED003 Presentation Skills

ED004 Listening and Note-Taking

ED008 Pronunciation

ED009 Good Academic Practice and Referencing

Individual Speaking Tutorials

Individual Writing Tutorials

You can sign up for spring term modules from Week 8.

The workshops are based at the Canterbury campus but Medway students are invited to join.

You can catch the free Campus Shuttle to Canterbury. Book a seat on the Campus Shuttle.

Find out more information about the free English language workshops.

James Newton interviews filmmaker Andrew Jones

Dr James Newton, Lecturer in the Department of Media Studies, has just released a new entry in his podcast series, Newton Talks.

In the series, James discusses topics (mostly) related to cinema, television, and culture. His guests will be from the world of academia, as well as filmmakers and other artists, and each podcast will take the form of an unscripted discussion.

The latest episode features prolific Welsh horror and exploitation filmmaker Andrew Jones. Andrew, through his company North Bank Entertainment, has directed nearly thirty profitable movies, including The Curse of Robert the Doll (2016), Werewolves of the Third Reich (2017), Bundy and the Green River Killer (2019), The Manson Family Massacre (2019), The Curse of Halloween Jack (2019), and many more. In this podcast, James talks to Andrew about his career in micro-budget filmmaking.

To listen to this instalment, please see the page here.

Alumnus Tiernan Douieb on Money Box

Comedian and alumnus Tiernan Douieb, who completed his BA (Hons) in Drama and Theatre in 1999, featured on BBC Radio 4’s Money Box earlier this week, in an edition entitled ‘How to Maximize Money from Mirth’, broadcast 23 October 2019.

You might think of comedians as up on a stage in a pub, but that’s just one part of what the job entails today. Social media, streaming services and stadium tours have changed the comedy game. Instead of doing gigs to get on TV, you do TV to get people to your gig.

In the programme, Tiernan explains how he got into stand-up comedy: ‘I’ve always wanted to do performing, and the first time I did a comedy gig instead of acting it was like a compulsion – you suddenly realise that’s what you need to do.’

Tiernan’s has contributed to the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive in the Templeman Library, including material relating to the many projects he has organised as well as solo performances.

The episode can be heard here (with Tiernan first featuring at about 3’30” into the programme).

Careers in the Public Sector panel

Interested in a career that’s rewarding and makes a difference? Hear from leading public sector employers, including Kent alumni, who work within Government, public bodies and local government. They’ll share their career backgrounds, experiences of working within the public sector and career tips, followed by a Q&A.

Panellists

– Martin Parr, Principal Consultant, DSTL
– Amy Perkins, Assistant Parliamentary Counsel, Cabinet Office
– Perry Holmes, Chief Legal Officer, Medway Council
– Daniel Pollitt, Project Manager, Network Rail
– Paul Smart, Former Senior Government Policy Maker, Scottish Government

The event will take place on Wednesday 6 November, 14.00 in Grimond LT3.

Book your free place

Dr Rocio von Jungenfeld wins the BCS AI Award

Congratulations to Dr Rocio von Jungenfeld, Lecturer in Digital Media at the School of Engineering and Digital Arts on winning the BCS AI Award at The Lumen Prize awards in London on 24 October. The BCS AI Award is conferred for excellence in the use of some form of artificial intelligence to produce an outstanding piece of art.

Her project – Lichtsuchende – was a collaboration with Dave Murray-Rust (University of Edinburgh). The project can be accessed at the Lumen Prize website.

The Lumen Prize for Art and Technology celebrates the very best art created with technology through a global competition, exhibitions and events worldwide.

Photo credit: Chris Scott @chrisdonia

Book now for Alice in Wonderland – 29-30 November

Do you think that your life is becoming ‘curiouser and curiouser’? Some days, do you feel almost two miles high and others only nine inches tall? Does life seem to be one long Caucus Race and have found yourself believing ‘…as many as six impossible things before breakfast.’? Then take a trip down the rabbit hole and enjoy the madness that is Alice in Wonderland – the latest production by the University of Kent Players Radio Theatre.

Taking place at Mungo’s in Eliot College on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November 2019, this production is the latest in the Player’s radio-style productions following the success of The Philadelphia Story, The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Maltese Falcon. The performances will recreate the entire radio drama experience – from actors performing various parts to a live foley team creating sound effects using an array of household objects and of course, a special appearance from our sound effects door!

To add to the fun, we are encouraging the audience to wear Alice-themed fancy dress or to be the epitome of elegance in evening dress. Mungo’s will be serving food from 6-7.45pm and the bar will serve drinks both before and after the performance (but not during), so you can come along and make a night of it!

Tickets are £6.50 for general admission and £6.00 for concessions, and are available online at Eventbrite.

Keep up-to-date with the University of Kent Players on Facebook or Twitter.

Canterbury Horrorfest 2019

Horrorfest 2019 is the first of an annual Halloween tradition here in Canterbury. Setting the table for an All Hallows Eve feast for years to come. A festive carnival of ever-changing horrific tricks and treats.

To begin the tradition this year CSRfm are hosting the very first Horrorfest event: a comedy murder mystery radio production called “DeadAir”. It will be an interactive experience, with listeners being able to call, text and get involved through CSRfm’s social media to figure out the identity of the murderer as the show progresses.

The first scene is laid in CSR’s Studio Red as a few presenters attempt to put on a live Halloween special, only it all goes wrong when the first thing they see is Derek dead on their freshly hoovered studio floor. Follow them as they become ‘secret’ murder detectives and hopelessly and hilariously fail to keep the ever-growing number of deaths a secret from the authorities, all whilst not at all keeping calm and carrying on…

All main actors are current CSRfm presenters with featured guest roles by past show guests and a special interview with Dr. Michael Goodrum, Senior Lecturer of History and Superhero and Gothic Horror Specialist at Canterbury Christ Church University.

The show will air on CSRfm and 97.4fm on Halloween between 9am to 6pm.

Afterwards there will be a special creative hour after the show between 6pm and 7pm featuring local poets, spoken word artists and story tellers, such as: Sam Tate, Henry Maddicott, Alys Parsons, Thomas Cleary, Alex Brand, Claudia Volpe and Isabella Poretsis.

Free fireworks display in Gillingham, 2 November

Students and staff are welcome to attend the 2019 Medway Bonfire and Fireworks Night at The Great Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham.

A bonfire will be lit by the Mayor of Medway at 19.00, followed by a fireworks display at 19.30.

Hot food and drink will be available on site.

Find out more about the Medway Council Bonfire and Firework Night.

Kent students can also attend St Mark’s Vicarage Hall after the fireworks for soup and games 20.00-22.00 (suggested donation £1) with the Medway Chaplaincy.

CodeFirst Girls: free weekly coding workshop

Are you a girl interested in learning how to code? Are you a girl ready to join the technological revolution and make a change in the world?

Students from the School of Computing are running a free weekly coding course exclusively for girls! They will be teaching you how to write in languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JQuery – the basics of making your own website.

At the end of the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion which will be a great valuable addition to any CV. Sign up for the coding workshops, but hurry spaces are limited!

Discount for Canterbury Fireworks Night, 5 November

Kent County Cricket Club is offering University of Kent students and staff a discounted rate to attend their annual Fireworks Night.

The Fireworks Night takes place on Tuesday 5 November 2019. Gates to the Spitfire Cricket Ground in Canterbury will open at 17.00. The evening offers a night of entertainment in addition to the fireworks display with live bands and a funfair from 17.30. The Fireworks display is planned for 19.15.

Enter the code ‘Uok2019’ when buying tickets online in advance to receive the 25% discount making a single adult ticket only £6.

Visit the Kent Cricket website for more information.