Category Archives: Student Guide

Sign-up for a Language Express course

There’s still time to sign-up for a Language Express course this year.

The courses start in week 3 and are open to Kent students and staff as well as members of the public. They take place in the evenings to fit around work and study. Kent staff can apply for funding from Learning and Development. There are nine modern languages to choose from.

For more information and to hear previous Language Express students talking about their courses, visit the Language Express webpages.

Grocery bus & Unirider discount ending soon

The Stagecoach 26a bus runs from campus to Sturry Road where you can do your food shopping at large stores such as Asda, Sainsbury’s and Lidl. There are also some clothing shops such as TK Maxx and Matalan and electronic shops such as Currys PC World and Maplins.

The 26a runs every Saturday (term-time only). The first service on the Saturday leaves Keynes at 9:40am and the last service leaves Sturry Road at 3:20pm- plenty of time to do your weekly food shop. See 26a timetable here.

With your Unirider bus ticket you can use the 26a at no extra cost. The last day you can purchase the Unirider ticket from the bus on campus is Friday 30 September 2016. You will still be able to purchase online at the discounted rate before 2 October 2016. Be sure to purchase the Unirider ticket before 2 October 2016 as the price then goes up from the current £170 to £240. Learn more about why we recommend the Unirider ticket.

Balancing paid work and volunteering

The Centre for Philanthropy Research Seminar on Wednesday 12 October is to be given by Dr Carolyn Cordery, Associate Professor in Accounting and Commercial Law at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Carolyn will be presenting her work on pro-bono volunteer work by professional accountants and will give an insight into the grey area between paid work and volunteering. The seminar will appeal to anyone with an interest in how individuals balance paid work with other activities and responsibilities.

Wednesday 12 October, 16.00, Marlowe Lecture Theatre 2

All welcome.

The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election: How did we get here? Where now?

President Trump or President Clinton? After arguably the most divisive, unpleasant, polarised and simply extraordinary presidential contest in a century, four experts on American politics meet to discuss who won and why, and where we go from here.

The Centre for American Studies invites you to join the debate on Thursday 10 November at 5.30pm in the Templeman Library Lecture Theatre. Dr Andrew Wroe, Lecturer in American Politics at the University of Kent will chair a discussion panel consisting of:

Professor Rob Singh, Professor of Politics, Birkbeck College, University of London; Professor Iwan Morgan, Professor of U.S. Studies, University College London and Dr George Conyne, Lecturer in American History, University of Kent.
This is an open event and all students, University of Kent staff and members of the public are warmly welcome. Attendance is free, but we would ask you to register in advance at our Eventbrite page.

Have you got a problem with your bedroom?

If you live in accommodation on the Canterbury campus and you have an issue with your bedroom, you can report your accommodation defects online*.

How to report your accommodation defect:

  1. Visit the online defect reporting system
  2. Log in with your student username and password
  3. Following the online instructions, complete the short report form
  4. Click ‘save’ and you will receive an email confirmation with a report number
  5. Your fault will be dealt within the next five working days

For further information on level of response times, maintenance problems in your campus accommodation and other related issues, please visit the Accommodation Office website.

Please note that in the case of an emergency during working hours (08.00 – 16.30), please contact the Estates Helpdesk on ext 3209. For all other times, contact Campus Security on ext 3300. Emergencies include gas leak, flood and electrical shutdown of a building.

*Please note, this system doesn’t apply to Woolf College – where residents should inform Woolf College reception of any accommodation faults.

Returning your supermarket crates

A quick reminder about supermarket crates: it is your responsibility to return them to the supermarket delivery driver or to take the empty crates to the bin store for collection by the supermarkets drivers. Speak to your reception team today to find out your nearest collection point.

Help us improve the accommodation website

We are currently looking at how we could improve our accommodation website and we need your help. We are therefore holding the following focus groups:

  • Friday 4 November, 10am to 12pm – Park Wood residents
  • Friday 4 November, 2pm to 4pm – Keynes College, Turing College and Becket Court residents
  • Tuesday 8 November, 2pm to 4pm – Eliot, Rutherford and Darwin Colleges residents
  • Wednesday 9 November, 2pm to 4pm – Postgraduate students living on campus

During the focus group we will be looking at your experience of using our website, your thoughts on our new accommodation videos and designs for our new accommodation website.

All students that attend will receive £5 credit on their KentOne card. If you would like to attend please RSVP to Diba Artingstoll (accomm@kent.ac.uk) by Friday 21st October 2016.

Support at Kent

Now the Welcome Week madness is over, it’s probably a good time to start exploring Kent and the support services on offer. Watch our support, health and wellbeing video.

You can also read our short pdf guide to support at Kent.

Support with your studies

Studying for a degree is very different to studying at school. You have a lot more control over your learning and greater independence.

You will also be asked to do things you’ve never had to do before (eg referencing in a certain way, dissertations, vivas…) this is where the Student Learning and Advisory Service (SLAS for short) steps in.

SLAS can help you with everything from perfecting your essay writing to learning how to reference properly. You can learn in your own time using our online guides or attend one of SLAS’ many workshops.

Don’t forget your school is also there to help you with your studies and offer a range of study support.

Have you registered with Student Support and Wellbeing?

If you have a disability you should contact Student Support. They can provide not only academic support but can help with funding applications.

If you’re going through a difficult time or just don’t feel happy – staff in our Wellbeing Team are always available to listen.

Advice Centre

From money worries to getting on with your housemates, Kent Union’s Advice Centre is available to help. All advice is free to Kent students – so make the most of it!

Medical advice

Kent has its own NHS general practice on campus. There’s also an independent pharmacy next door, so you don’t have to go far when you’re feeling under the weather.

If you need any medical advice, treatment of a minor illness/injury or contraceptive advice, you can visit the ‘drop-in’ nursing service in Keynes College.

Master’s Office

When you arrived at Kent you automatically joined a college. Your Master’s Office is there to give advice and can be used as a first port of call for any questions you may have.

Chaplaincy

University Chaplains run a wide range of religious and social events (including a very festive carol service in the Cathedral). They are also a good contact for advice and support.

International students

As well as all the other support services available to students, international students can visit International Team in the Registry Building. They can help with any international related queries and run a series of cultural events.

Campus Shuttle new look for this year

The shuttle service has been revamped.  The Campus Shuttle can now be easily identified as a service provided by the University of Kent exclusive for University of Kent students and staff. For more images of the new look see @CampusShuttle on twitter.

 Campus Shuttle new ticketing system

This year The Kings Ferry has developed a new ticket system. Although you do not have to, booking will guarantee you a seat on the service. This will also assist the University of Kent with monitoring the service.

  1. Before you travel ensure that you have a copy of your e ticket.  This can be either a printed version or from a mobile device
  2. When boarding the coach please show the driver your ticket
  3. The driver will scan the QR code which will confirm your travel

Reminders about cancelling or amending bookings

  • Please remember to cancel bookings online if you no longer need to travel on the service. This allows other people to travel
  • You cannot cancel a seat online on the day, but please email CampusShuttle@kent.ac.uk to let us know you no longer need to travel on the service
  • You cannot make or amend a booking on the day of travel, but as long as there are seats available, you can board the service by showing your KentOne card