Category Archives: Student Guide

Invitation to launch of latest Kent Review (13 Dec)

Staff and students are invited to the launch of the fourth volume of Kent Review in Keynes Senior Common Room on Tuesday 13 December at 6pm.

Like its predecessors, this latest anthology will showcase some of the best work emerging from the University’s postgraduate writers in Creative Writing. The edition will also feature the winning entries to the new School of English undergraduate writing competition, and an editorial by Professor David Herd.

To celebrate the launch there will be a number of readings, as well as a drinks reception, and copies of the Review available to purchase. Everyone is welcome to help celebrate the launch.

Kent Review, Volume 4 is home to a remarkable selection of poetry, short stories, non-fiction and novel extracts. The collection demonstrates the skill and artistic ambition of the writers at the University, with pieces that are each surprising, disarming, transporting, fresh; and collectively indicative of the vibrant, diverse work emerging from the Centre for Creative Writing.

 

Snowy campus scene

Events roundup: 12-18 December

As we reach the end of term, our weekly events roundup continues with its festive theme, including more Christmas events and support if you’re staying on campus over the winter break.  

Please also see our update about snowy and icy conditions for guidance about travelling to campus.

Later this week your Spring Term timetable will be released (from 14 Dec) on KentVision. However, please check it again after 9 January as it is likely there will be changes (e.g. room changes and resolving clashes). For more information, read our timetable advice. 

Also, some of you might have In Course Tests (ICTs) this week. If you do, try not to panic! ICTs are a great way to prepare for summer exams and there’s guidance online to help you. Best of luck! 

Monday: Job application tips and pick up some vintage gifts 

Join our Careers Team for top tips on filling out those job application forms to make sure you bag yourself an interview. Sign up for careers event. 

Pick up some Christmas gifts (or maybe something for yourself!) at the Vintage Kilo Sale outside the Venue between 10:00 and 17:00.  

Tuesday: How to edit efficiently and create a top LinkedIn profile 

Join this live session on how to approach editing so it is done right and takes less time! Register for the editing event.  

Find out why you should be using LinkedIn and how to get started at this careers session. Book now.  

Please note, there are train strikes on Tuesday 13 December, so if you usually travel to campus by train please make alternative travel arrangements.  

Wednesday: Christmas gatherings and take home some winter plants 

Get in the Christmas spirit at one of these festive events on Wednesday, including: 

Please note, there are train strikes on Wednesday 14 December, so if you usually travel to campus by train please make alternative travel arrangements.  

Thursday: Christmas Market, DHM book club, job hunting tips and Christmas Drag Bingo 

Come along to our Christmas Market in the Colyer-Fergusson from 10:00-14:00 for locally produced food, drinks and crafts!  

As we reach the final week of Disability History Month, join the book club at Canterbury and Medway, or online, to discuss  ‘Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century’ by Alice Wong. 

And get ready for some Christmas campery – Anita Wee and Delilah Tickles are back for a festive edition of Drag Bingo in Mungo’s from 19:00. 

If you’re staying in Medway for the Christmas break, head over to the Oasis Lounge (Rochester Building) on 15 Dec between midday and 14:00 to meet others who will also be staying and enjoy some festive food, music and drinks. There is no need to book, just drop in!  

Friday: Christmas card making at Medway  

Join Medway Residential Life Assistants (RLAs), Holly and Cole, in this FREE DIY Christmas card workshop in the Oasis Lounge (Rochester Building) from 12:00 – 14:00.  

Please note, there are train strikes on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December, so if you usually travel to campus by train please make alternative travel arrangements. 

See more student events.  

Opportunities

See more student opportunities and support. 

Have a lovely winter break and see you in 2023! 

train at station

Travel disruption in Dec and Jan 

There are some disruptions to Southeastern trains planned for December 2022 and January 2023 which may affect your travel to/from our Canterbury and Medway campuses. 

Strike action is due to take place on the following dates:  

  • December – Tuesday 13/Wednesday 14 and Friday 16/Saturday 17  
  • January – Tuesday 3/Wednesday 4 and Friday 6/Saturday 7  

If you usually travel to campus by train, we recommend you find alternative modes of travel where possible on train strike days and check our Campus Travel updates webpage.  

If you have an in person In Course Test (ICT) on a train strike day, please make every effort to make alternative travel arrangements as these cannot be rescheduled. 

Travel disruption in itself is not a reason for mitigation. However, if your circumstances mean that alternative arrangements to get to campus on a train strike day are not possible, please follow your Division’s process for applying for an authorised absence, or contact your Student Support Team. You will also need to apply for an end of year mitigation if your absence results in you missing an ICT.

If you miss teaching due to train strikes, please check your Moodle module page for any resources made available or alternatively arrange to see your seminar/class leader during office/student consultation hours or speak to your academic adviser.

Teaching will continue as planned, and our campuses and services will remain open during the disruption. We will continue to communicate with you about any changes.

Students and former student from Disability History Month videos

Events roundup: 5-11 December

Here’s a roundup of our top events this week, including lots of Disability History Month (DHM) and festive events!

There are more chances this week to collect tickets for our magical candle-lit Carol Service at Canterbury Cathedral on 12 December.

Monday: Your Uni Your Say Festive Giveaway and Christmas events

Let us know your feedback in Nexus in Templeman Library and win a free gift including Kent drinking bottles and travel mugs, plus festive treats and cakes! #YourUniYourSay

Come and channel your inner Mariah Carey for some Christmas Karaoke in Mungo’s. Or for a creative Christmas activity, make some festive themed suncatchers in K Bar.

Tuesday: DHM exhibition and short film screening and finger casting workshop

Join us from 17:00 in Marlowe for the Disability History Month exhibition viewing and short film screening featuring current and former students and staff on their experiences of disability. Refreshments provided. Book your place.

Rescheduled from last week, come along to the finger casting workshop on Tuesday. Create a Plaster of Paris sculpture by casting your fingers and try your hand at Foil Embossing to create your own miniature wonders of art with local artist Wendy Daws. They make the perfect Christmas gifts!

Wednesday: DHM events and festive activities

Get that festive feeling by making your own snow globe in the Venue, or head to Grimond Lecture Theatre 3 for a festive movie night. The film will be ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and free popcorn will also be provided.

As part of Disability History Month, Chloe Timms, author and Kent alumnus will be presenting her debut novel ‘The Seawomen’. The book is an atmospheric dystopian story, portraying a tale of oppression, love and bravery on an island controlled by a misogynistic cult. Chloe is passionate about disability rights, having been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 18 months old.

Change 100 matches talented university students/recent graduates with any disability or long-term condition with progressive employers. Find out more about Change 100 internships and meet the alumni.

Sunday: Community Tennis Open Day

On Sunday Kent Sport are opening their doors to everyone at the Kent Sport Community Tennis Open Day. Come along and try out our indoor tennis facilities and enjoy some top class coaching from our Lawn Tennis Association qualified coaching team!

See more student events.

Opportunities

See more student opportunities.

Staff smiling to camera

Cookies and Conversation on 6 Dec

What do you think about the study spaces on Campus?

Why do you choose certain spaces to study? Do you use different spaces for different types of study?

Join us in the Templeman Library Café from 16:00 – 18:00 on Tues 6 December to share your views and also enjoy some free yummy cookies and a hot drink on us!

Find out more about how the University is listening to students. Have your say, make your voice heard and help us shape our services!

Industrial action

Reminder: Industrial action 30 Nov and reimbursement (direct costs)

Following last week’s strike days, some members of the University and College Union (UCU) will be going on strike this Wednesday (30 November). This is happening at all universities across the UK and is part of a national dispute – as such our influence over this is limited.

We’re sorry for the further disruption this is likely to cause to your week. We are here to help and will do all we can to minimise the impact on your studies – we’ve put together some key links and info below, including information on how you can claim back any direct expenses as a result of the strikes.

What to expect on strike days

  • Some of your classes may be cancelled; union members don’t have to tell us if they are taking strike action so we won’t always know in advance.
  • You might see UCU members picketing on campus; these are peaceful protests which will be stewarded by the union.
  • Other services may be affected but we’ll work to make sure all essential support services are running as usual. Our libraries and catering outlets will also be open as usual.

See industrial action support.

How to claim back direct expenses

We will refund you for any direct expenses you incur as a result of industrial action.

To claim back any direct expenses, you will need to:

See student expense claims guidance.

“Thank you for patience throughout last week’s strike days and I apologise again for any disruption to your studies – we are working hard to mitigate any impact on our work and will continue to do so around the additional disruption on Wednesday.”

Professor Richard Reece, DVC Education and Student Experience

Visit the Christmas Market on Thursday 15 December

It might be a surprise, but Christmas is rapidly approaching! Do you have presents to buy, gifts to wrap, and ideas which quickly running out?

Well don’t fret, we will have a host of talented elves and local suppliers, showcasing their fantastic products – including food, drink, and crafts at the University of Kent Christmas Market, opening on Thursday 15 December from 10.00-14.00 in the Colyer-Fergusson Music Hall.  

This is your opportunity to discover local goods, browse gorgeous craft items, sample some delicious locally-produced food, and pick up unique and meaningful gifts in time for Christmas!

Inclusion pride flag

World Cup: Support for our LGBTQ+ community

We take the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students extremely seriously. Working with Kent Union, we want to capitalise on the world wide attention currently on the FIFA World Cup and the political standpoint of its host country, Qatar, to draw attention to where LGBTQ+ individuals still continue to suffer from a lack of rights, safety and belonging across the globe.

As part of this work, we want to ensure that all staff and students are aware of the support that exists for our LGBTQ+ communities at Kent.

Support at Kent

  • Rainbow lanyards are available for staff and students from most college and library receptions at Canterbury and Medway. Designed around the ‘Inclusion Flag’ which incorporates the Pride rainbow flag with pink, blue, brown and black representing the trans community and people of colour within the LGBT+ community. Wearing the lanyards shows students that they can ‘bring their whole selves’ to you without fear of judgement or an unsupportive reaction.
  • There is a support group in Canterbury that meets twice a month. It is open to trans, intersex and non-binary people at Kent. The group is run by trans/non-binary people for trans/non-binary people. Family and partners are welcome.
  • There are gender-neutral toilet facilities across our Canterbury and Medway campuses.
  • Student Support and Wellbeing offer free mental health support, counselling and peer support groups to all students and have an advisor with specialist LGBTQ+ support knowledge.
  • Kent Union run the LGBTQ+ Student Network and various student societies focused on support for students within the LGBTQ+ community.
  • For staff members, we have the LGBT+ Staff Network that is open to any staff member or student.
  • The Transgender Student Support Policy and the LGBTQ+ Study Abroad Guidance offer practical advice and information for students.
  • Check out our directory of LGBTQ+ self-help resources including details of free, confidential, specialist helplines and support group networks, such as Metro, The Be You Project, and Gendered Intelligence.
  • You can also update your gender and preferred name (which shows on your Microsoft Teams account) on KentVision.
  • Have you heard of the Gender Affirmation Fund? In early October 2022, Kent released a new Gender Affirmation Fund to support students who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming with the purchase of gender affirming items such as binders, clothing, packers, makeup, hair extensions, pouches, Stand To Pee devices, gendered religious headwear or clothing and minor cosmetic procedures such as ear piercing or for managing body hair. You can access the Gender Affirmation Fund via the link above; you must be a University of Kent student on a registered course and use the funds to support your purchase of gender affirming gear. Applications are capped at £100 per person.
  • Interested in running events or activities to help raise awareness or support our LGBTQ+ community? The LGBT History Month Planning Group (planning activities for LGBT History Month in February) has started meeting and any staff member or student is welcome to join. Email StudentEDI@kent.ac.uk to learn more.

Experienced hate or discrimination because of your gender identity?

You can report incidents of assault, harassment, and hate via the REPORT + SUPPORT tool, with or without giving your name. Even if you don’t choose to request support, by reporting an incident you will help to make the University a safer place for all.  Staff members can report under Ordinance 42. We also have Harassment Contacts available who can provide support and guidance.

Help us create a university community which belongs to all students, and where all students feel they belong by sharing this information on support for LGBTQ+ individuals at Kent. #InclusiveKent

Christmas tree closeup of bauble

Events roundup: 28 November – 4 December

Disability History Month (DHM) continues this week with more events as well as a timeline of disability history at Kent and film series with students, staff and alumni sharing their experience of disability. Check out the DHM website.

Our magical candle-lit University Christmas Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral returns on Monday 12 December! You can collect your tickets this week.

Here’s a roundup of our top events this week:

Monday: Meet Staff Disability Network and Medway Study Night

Meet with the Staff Disability Network as part of Disability History Month. Have a drink and biscuit with members of the Staff Disability Network to learn about their activities and how you can get involved. Find out more about what the network can do to support you.

Join a Medway Study Night in the Oasis Lounge on Monday. There will be tea, coffee, biscuits and treats to keep you going.

Tuesday: Finger Casting, careers values workshop and free manicure/massage (Medway)

Come along to a Finger Casting Workshop – create a Plaster of Paris sculpture by casting your fingers and try your hand at Foil Embossing to create your own miniature wonders of art with local artist Wendy Daws.

Match your values to your career journey in this online workshop. The session shares tools to help you to work out your career goals, desired outcomes, preferences and personal values. It also includes practical exercises to help you use your values to find the right role for you.

On Tuesday at the Hub, you can choose between a free gel manicure or a massage to help you relax and unwind.

Wednesday: Industrial action support drop-in, cooking session and Christmas decoration making

Wednesday is a UCU strike day, so your teaching may be affected today. The College and Community Life Team will be offering drop-in support sessions for any students affected by the industrial action. You can head to Locke Building between 9:00-17:00 to chat to one of the Residential Life Assistants or College Life Officers. Find out how to prepare for a strike day.

Want to improve your cooking skills? The chefs of Darwin kitchen are running a cooking session (£5 per person) making pasta with tomato, courgette, parmesan and homemade spinach balls. Yum. Book your place.

Get into the Christmas spirit and make some decorations for your accommodation. Drop in, listen to some festive tunes and get creative.

Thursday: Careers events and Neurodivergent workshop

On Thursday there are a few careers with social impact events including NHS Careers and Skills in Healthcare, Science and Social Care virtual panel, How to start a career in think tanks and policy and how to answer interview questions.

LSSJ presents ‘How to Manage your Workload: The Neurodivergent Way’. Do you often feel overwhelmed by deadlines? Learn how to use online tools, tips and tricks to make your workload seem manageable. This is a hybrid event so you can either join in Kennedy Building or online. The workshop is led by a fellow neurodivergent student, and followed up with a social event with light refreshments.

Saturday: Wild Wellbeing Christmas tied door garlands

On Saturday you can make some Christmas tied door garlands at the Kent Community Oasis Garden. Spent some time in nature and craft using natural materials.

See more student events.

Opportunities

See more student opportunities.

 

 

Safety

Free personal safety items

College and Community Life and the Transport Team recently set up a stall in the library to hand out safety equipment including personal alarms, torches and anti-spiking devices.

Students looking at free personal safety items in library

With earlier sunsets as winter gets closer, we have a range of free items which support getting home safe including personal safety alarms, torches and high-visibility bands.

We also have a variety of anti-spiking devices you can pick up for free to take with you on a night out.

You can visit Security and Transport Centre or Medway Security Office to collect any of the following items for free:

  • Personal safety alarms
  • Torches
  • Stop Topps (Single use cup covers)
  • Bottle caps
  • Be bright be seen snap bands
  • Information on University safety services