Category Archives: Student Guide

Living Black at Kent student focus group

Help the University Accommodation team develop their next Living Black at Kent welcome booklet, they rolled out a welcome booklet last year, and work towards improving our Black students’ experience.

The booklet is to help smooth the transition to life in Kent and the University, and the team are all ears to know what you think of it. Honest opinions are needed on what worked and what needs improvement. There are two focus groups lined up and the team are looking for Black students to pitch in their ideas to make this resource even better.

What is a welcome booklet?

The Living Black at Kent booklet is an honest effort to spotlight local services near our campuses. It’s designed to assist Black students in adjusting to living in a new town by making them aware of helpful resources within the local area.

Who created it and what did the report say?

Kent’s staff and students collaborated to create this booklet, following a report by Unite Students, and supported by Halpin Partnership. The report by Unite Students highlighted the experiences of Black university students living in UK student accommodation and indicated that “over a quarter (28%) of Black students felt that they cannot access culturally relevant services close to where they live”. This was just one of the report’s findings which inspired us to launch the booklet and help our students feel more at home.

What can I do?

Join us in the Living Black at Kent focus group and let’s make a difference together! Share your unique experiences as a Black student at Kent, or perhaps some hidden gems of services you’ve discovered that others might not know about yet. Your insights could be the guiding light for the next set of students.

When and where are the Living Black at Kent focus groups being held?

Don’t miss the chance to join our focus group on 20 or 27 March 2024, in the Darwin Conference Suite, from 13:00 to 14:30. We’re looking for 20 participants per session. By participating, you’ll play a critical role in enhancing our community and making a lasting impression. Your contribution can make a real difference, and don’t forget that £20 KentOne credit!

Use the form to register your interest in our upcoming sessions. Once done, we’ll provide you with even more exciting details!

You can also check out the 2023 Living Black at Kent booklet online and if you would like to read the full Unite Students report, you can find this at Unite Students. Please get in touch if you have any further questions about these sessions, by emailing the ResLife Team.

Events roundup: 11-17 March

This week join the Uni Mental Health Day events, the WorldFest celebrations and start to prepare for exams.

Monday 11 March: Worldfest Global Hangout and Girls in Charge Q&A

WorldFest celebrations continue this week with a global hangout in Sibson on Monday from 14:00-17:00. Try crafts, games and food from around the World!

Come along to Woody’s for a meet-and-greet social with Girls in Charge’s Co-Director Niamh Carter on Monday evening.

Tuesday 12 March: Get help finding a part-time job and writing your dissertation, plus find out about therapy and mindfulness

Thinking about finding a part time role? Come along to this session to find out what steps you can take to secure a part-time role you can fit around your studies.

Writing your dissertation? Join this online workshop that goes through the keys steps you need to take when planning for and writing a dissertation at uni.

Unwind with mindful colouring and ask questions about therapy and mindfulness to members of our Counselling Team in DG 01, Templeman Library.

Wednesday 13 March: Language tasters, grad scheme advice and revision tips

Want to know more about what a graduate scheme is, what they involve and hints and tips on how to get one? Then don’t miss this grad scheme information event at Wednesday lunchtime.

Learn how to effectively revise at this study workshop at Canterbury and online.

As part of WorldFest you can try free language taster sessions in Spanish, French and Italian on Wednesday.

Thursday 14 March: Uni Mental Health Day

Thursday is Uni Mental Health Day (UMHD) and to mark it, there will be a free plant giveaway and therapy dogs sessions in Nexus, Templeman Library (Canterbury) and in the Oasis Lounge, Rochester Building (Medway).

There will also be a Plant Hospital pop-up on the Plaza in Canterbury, from 9:30-11:30, where you can get free plant care advice.

UMHD activities continue at the Sports Centre (Canterbury) with free exercise classes on 14 and 15 March.

Finally, get help managing exam stress and learn exam techniques at study workshops in Canterbury (in person) and online.

Friday 15 March: Iftar dinner, WorldFest Quiz and LinkendIn Drop-in

On Friday, join the International Student Voices group for a free, memorable Iftar dinner experience and a chance to have your say in how the University can improve the international student experience. Or if you’re based at Medway, you can join the Medway Islamic Society’s annual Iftar celebration event.

Get a team together and take part in our WorldFest Quiz Night run by our student Global Officers.

Develop and improve your LinkedIn profile at this careers drop-in session.

See more student events.

Reminders and opportunities

If you use the Campus Shuttle, please note this slight timetable change to the Canterbury to Medway service.
Online Module Registration opens Monday 18 March.
The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is now open at Kent and is an opportunity for Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students to provide feedback on their academic experiences at Kent.
Showcase your business at the ASPIRE Pop Up market on 20 March in Sibson Atrium. To secure free stall contact ASPIRE@kent.ac.uk.
KentVision will be unavailable on Monday 11 March, from 08:00-12:00, due to planned maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience, you can find out more on the Student Guide.

See more student opportunities.

Choose your modules for the next academic year!

From Monday 18 March to 09:00 on Tuesday 2 April 2024, Online Module Registration (OMR) is open for you to choose the undergraduate modules that you wish to study in 2024/25.

You will receive an email when OMR is open. Prior to this, you should read your Subject Requirements and view our guidance to make sure that you are fully prepared. If you are not sure which modules to choose, please speak to your Academic Adviser.

OMR is not first come first served. In order to give you the best opportunity to register for your preferred choice of module, please ensure that you have submitted your selections by 09:00 (GMT) on Tuesday 2 April 2024.

You do not need to select modules if:

You’re on a Year in Industry in 2024/2025
You’re going abroad as part of your course in 2024/2025
Your modules are entirely compulsory

If you are on a course that is affected by the course consultation changes, you do not have to register your modules by 2 April. We will be in touch with you once your module options are finalised so you can confirm your choices from an up-to-date list of options. Thank you for your patience in this moment of transition.

If you have any questions, please contact the Student Record Administration Office:

Canterbury students – csao@kent.ac.uk
Medway students – msao@kent.ac.uk

See Online Module Registration guide.

Kent 2030: Consultation update

Next phase of consultation

As you may know, consultation closed on 7 March on proposals to cease recruitment to some subject disciplines (Anthropology; Art History; Comparative Literature; English Language and Linguistics; Health and Social Care; Journalism; Modern Languages; Music and Audio Technology; and Philosophy and Religious Studies) at the University of Kent. Counter proposals submitted by staff in those areas are now being reviewed, with recommendations then made to Executive Group colleagues to decide on the way forward, meaning that final outcomes are likely to be known towards the end of March.

If it affects you, we’ll be in touch

Once outcomes are shared in late March, we will be in touch with students who are affected to explain what this means for the future of their particular subject areas. There will then be more details to work out in terms of teach-out for any area where the final decision is to cease recruitment. We will keep affected students updated by email each step of the way as those plans are scoped out, as we have more clarity on individual student circumstances and options, and can share how we will support you through the remainder of your degree, whatever your stage and type of study.

Opportunity for all students to hear more and ask questions

We invite you to sign up for an Undergraduate Student Open Forum from 12:00-13:00 on Thursday 28 March or to sign up for an Postgraduate Student Open Forum from 14:00-15:00 on Wednesday 3 April to hear from Richard Reece, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Education & Student Experience, and Mica Rose, Head of Student Experience. They’ll explain updates on Kent 2030 plans and what they mean for students, and invite you to ask questions. These online meeting will be recorded and shared afterwards, so don’t worry if you are not able to attend. We will continue to update information and FAQs on the Kent 2030 student webpage.

Showcase your business at ASPIRE Pop up Market, 20 March

Do you run a small business?

On 20 March, you have the chance to showcase your business at the ASPIRE Pop up Market in Sibson Atrium.

This is an amazing opportunity to gain traction from students, entrepreneurs and long-term supporters of ASPIRE programme.

To secure free stall contact ASPIRE@kent.ac.uk

Moving teaching into the Medway Building next year

As some of you will know, we are working at the moment on plans to bring all University of Kent activity on the Pembroke Campus into the Medway Building. This follows discussions with our university partners on the campus on how we can make best use of the space and should hopefully help bring more activity to our area of the site.

The move is currently scheduled to start following the end of this term, with most work taking place outside of term time. Your exams will be programmed into the Medway building. However, Journalism exams will take place in the existing newsrooms on the first and second floor of the Gillingham Building.

The Gillingham Building’s third and fourth floors will not be available from the start of the Easter vacation, and staff based on these floors will move to join colleagues on the second floor.

For all students returning in September, your future timetables will confirm where your classes will take place and from this time all staff will be based in the Medway Building, with specialist equipment and facilities incorporated into the new space as required.

Help us shape the new Oasis Lounge

As part of this we will also be recreating the Oasis Lounge in the Medway Building over the Easter vacation so that you still have a dedicated social space. Initially this will be transferred over more or less as is – however, over the summer we want to work with you on how we can improve it.

We’ll share more details on this in a few months but in the meantime do let us know your thoughts on what we could do with the space in the future by emailing csespaceplanning@kent.ac.uk

Thanks all – and do get in touch with me or one of your tutors if you have any further questions on this.

Helen Holland
Assistant Director Estates Planning

Make friends with the Umii app

We have signed up with Umii to make it even easier for you to make new friends at Kent. Create a profile including what you’re studying and your interests and Umii will match you with other students who you might get on well with.

Over 1,000 Kent students have used Umii! So why not give it a try?

Only verified users can access the app, so you can be sure who you’re connecting with is a real student at your uni.

This means you will need to use your Kent email address to register with Umii.

Download Umii now for free

Free exercise classes, 14-15 March

In support of University Mental Health Day (Thursday 14 March) and Red Nose Day (Friday 15 March), Kent Sport will be offering 180 free spaces on our fitness and dance class timetable across both days to allow everyone within our community to join in exercise for free. This includes many popular classes such as Zumba and pilates, as well as our range of exciting virtual instructor-led classes from LES MILLS.

For all class descriptions, visit our Classes webpage.

To book a free class as a Plus, Pay to Play, or non-member, visit the Sports Centre reception and fill out the paper form for the class(es) you would like to join. There are 10 free spaces in each class so sign up quickly before they’re gone! If you’re a Premium Plus member, all classes are included in your membership so you can book online as usual.

If you’re not yet a Kent Sport member, you’ll need to create a free Pay to Play membership before you’ll be able to join the classes. You can create an account quickly and easily through our online booking system.

Donations for Red Nose Day can be made on the Comic Relief website.

Campus Shuttle timetable change from 11 March

From the 07:35 service on Monday 11 March 2024, there will be a slight timetable change to the Canterbury to Medway Campus Shuttle service.

The expected arrival times at the Pier Quays and Historic Dockyard stops on the Canterbury to Medway service will now be 5 minutes earlier. See the updated timetable. (Make sure you click the hyperlink ‘view new timetable’ in the black box at the top!)

Why is this change being made?

Based on tracking data and driver feedback, there is excessive time allocated between Canterbury Campus and Pier Quays, leading to the bus frequently waiting at the Piers Quay stop.

To reduce waiting time and enhance service efficiency, 5 minutes will be deducted from the scheduled journey between Canterbury and Pier Quays.

How to get in touch

You can follow @CampusShuttle on X (formerly Twitter) for service updates. However, if you have any questions or feedback you will need to contact the 24/7 Customer Care Team 0330 808 3306 or email csteam@zeelo.co

Kent Union elections: voting now open

Voting is now open for your Kent Union full-time Officers.

The full-time Officers work and support the student priorities that are picked by students for students. These make up the core campaigns of Kent Union’s Officer team. We currently have five full-time Officer positions that all focus on different remits for students:

There are three days of voting and there will be five polling stations spread around campus, plus you can vote online at any time during these three days. Voting closes Thursday at 17:00.

There are also chances to win a range of prizes if you vote in the Kent Union elections. Some of the top prizes include an Apple iPad, Xbox X and weekend getaways for two.