Since 2013 Freshfields, the international renowned Law firm, has provided the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship scheme to a handful of students each year. The aim of the scheme is to address the under-representation of black males in city careers and it provides mentoring opportunities, access to work experience, and a bursary to each cohort.

The University of Kent is privileged to take part in the scheme as a pilot university meaning we can submit applications for both Law and non Law students. Year on year, Kent has secured places for our students on the scheme. For 2020, following many covid delays, the Work-Study scheme is delighted to announce that we have yet again had two successful students awarded scholarships. A total of 68 students from universities all around the UK attended assessment centres both virtually and in person. 13 scholars were chosen, 9 Law students and 4 non Law students. Theo and Alex from Kent secured two of those four places maintaining Kent’s success with this programme. After a delayed start, Theo and Alex are now well into the swing of the programme.

Applications for the 2021 programme open imminently and the Work-Study team in partnership with Sheree Palmer look forward to helping to the next generation of Freshfields scholars.

Not only are returning student Pier Quays accommodation applications now open, but we can also announce Pier Quay’s new competitive rate for 2021/22!

We’ve been working hard to be able to offer you an accommodation rate that is competitive in the Medway area, and we are pleased to announce that for the next academic year a 39-week contract for a classic en-suite room has been reduced from 2020/21’s rate to just £130 a week for 2021/22. This means you can enjoy all the same great facilities for less as a returning student next year!

So, take advantage and return to enjoy our modern en-suite rooms with fully-fitted kitchens and apply directly through the University of Kent.

Need more reasons to return to Pier Quays than our new competitive rate?

• You can apply to live with friends (see our FAQs for more info).
• All en-suite rooms with returning students first allocated to phase 2 rooms (subject to availability)
• All utilities included (gas, water, electricity, heating and Wi-Fi)
• A Premier Sports membership for Medway Park (only included when applying though the MyAccommodation portal)
• Contract lengths that match your academic terms beginning for the start of term in September, meaning you won’t have to pay extra rent over the summer months. A Classic en-suite rooms available for just £5,070 on a 39-week contract

If you want to find out more about Pier Quays and returning student accommodation please visit the Accommodation website

So, remove the worry of finding a new place to live, take advantage of our new competitive rate and apply online now and relax knowing you can live with friends and have the great facilities to return to next year.

Many thanks,

The Kent Hospitality team

If you are applying for summer internships or placements, one of the first things you need to do is update your CV! Creating a stand-out CV is crucial when getting through the initial stage of the recruitment process. You want to make sure your CV is concise, accurate and targeted. Look at a few of our key points below, to guide you when updating your CV.

• Accuracy. Ensure your CV is accurate and consistent, in content, grammar and spelling. If your CV is littered with errors, it could cost you an interview!
• Concise. A UK CV should be no more than two A4 pages in length.
• Tailored. Make sure you target your CV to the specific job you are applying to. Review the job specification and take note of any key skills or values they are looking for, evidencing these, where possible. Directly align specific achievements on your CV with the specific challenges of the role, to make it easy to see why you would be a good candidate.
• Include your degree. Your degree should be at the top of your Education section, even if this has not been completed yet. If your degree is related to the role, you could detail relevant modules, key projects and practical skills gained. Remember to include your grades too!
• Highlight any relevant experience. In your work experience section include your most relevant experience first. You could use an impact heading to distinguish relevant and non-relevant experience e.g., Finance Experience.
• Include non-relevant work too! Employers want to know about your range of work experiences, and how you have developed your soft skills. Transferable skills such as teamwork and communication can be easily demonstrated through bar or retail work. However, if you have lots of experience, don’t feel you have to include everything, just the most recent.
• Professional development section. If you have attended any insight days, completed additional courses, a virtual internship or took part in industry competitions, which are relevant to the role, you could highlight these here.
• Positions of responsibility section. If you have held a key role outside of your studies, such as involvement within a society (e.g., President or Events Officer) or a volunteering role – include these! They are great examples of extra-curricular activities, which can show some valuable skills including, leadership and collaborative working.
• Use positive language and action verbs. Try using words like organised, delivered, implemented, and exceeded to start your sentences, rather than pro-nouns.
• Quantify your statements. Use facts, figures, and percentages, to give impact and build credibility to your statements. For example, ‘Reviewed 30 – 40 articles, per month’.

If you would like your CV reviewed, the Careers and Employability Service offer daily Quick Advice appointments, which are bookable online. Additionally, attend one of our ‘Creating a great CV’ workshops for more advice or visit our CV webpage for templates and further information.

If you are looking to gain some work experience this term (including virtually), the first thing you need to do is create your CV! Creating a stand-out CV is crucial when getting through the initial stage of the recruitment process. You want to make sure your CV is concise, accurate and targeted. Look at a few of our key points below, to guide you when writing your CV.

• Accuracy. Ensure your CV is accurate and consistent, in content, grammar and spelling. If your CV is littered with errors, it could cost you an interview!
• Easy to read. Use a clear and simple layout, avoid using tables and keep the font size to 10 – 12pt.
• Concise. A UK CV should be no more than two A4 pages in length. For a part-time job, 1 page is sufficient.
• Contact information. For a UK CV, you only need to include your name, contact telephone number and email address. Your photo, date of birth and nationality are not required.
• Include your degree. Your degree should be at the top of your Education section, even if this hasn’t been completed yet. If your degree is related to the job, you could detail any relevant modules, key projects and practical skills gained. Remember to include your grades too!
• Tailored. Make sure you target your CV to the specific job you are applying to. Review the job specification and take note of any key skills or values they are looking for, evidencing these, where possible. Directly align specific achievements on your CV with the specific challenges of the role, to make it easy to see why you would be a good candidate.
• Highlight any relevant experience. In your work experience section, include your most relevant experience first, if applicable. If you have completed some work shadowing or an internship already, remember to update your CV with these experiences. You could use an impact heading to distinguish relevant and non-relevant experience e.g. Customer Service Experience.
• Include non-relevant work too! Employers want to know about your range of work experiences, and how you have developed your soft skills. Transferable skills such as teamwork and communication can be easily demonstrated through bar or retail work.
• Positions of responsibility section. If you have held a key role outside of your studies, such as involvement within a society (e.g., President or Events Officer) or a volunteering role – include these! They are great examples of extra-curricular activities, which can show some valuable skills including, leadership and collaborative working.
• Talk about your interests. Showing interests can demonstrate your character and personal qualities, and it is a great opportunity to evidence softer skills. Just make sure the interests you include are specific and unique, rather than general ones e.g., socialising, reading etc.
• Use positive language and action verbs. Try using words like organised, delivered, implemented, and exceeded, to start your sentences, rather than pro-nouns.

If you would like your CV reviewed, the Careers and Employability Service offer daily Quick Advice appointments, which are bookable online. Additionally, attend one of our ‘Creating a great CV’ workshops for more advice or visit our CV webpage for templates and further information.

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust needs ‘Helping Hands’ to support patients and staff.

Do you live local to one of the East Kent Hospitals?

Do you think you could do any of the following?

• Answer the phones
• Re-stock areas
• Act as a runner between departments
• Help to provide general staff support
• Support our vaccination centres

This could be in a full time or part time position and pay will be in line with agenda for change Band 2.

We appreciate this may be a daunting new role for you but we will aim to find a placement you are happy with and you will be provided with full induction and orientation.

PPE training will be given and as a member of staff you will qualify for a COVID-19 vaccination.

We cannot stress how helpful and valued this ‘Helping Hands’ support would be to our hospital teams at this time.

How to apply:

If you are interested please send a brief CV to nonclinicalteam@nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk and include ‘Student Helping Hands’ in the subject line of your email.

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

English Language and Academic Skills (ELAS), delivered by International Programmes, provides FREE additional training in English for Academic Purposes to any registered international/overseas student at the University of Kent.

ELAS consists of taught modules which are delivered in the autumn and spring term, and individual speaking or writing tutorials which you can book in either term. ELAS aims to help you to improve your English language, gives you the chance to discuss your specific academic difficulties with the tutors and meet students across the University. All of our modules will be delivered online in the spring term.

What is the In-sessional English Language and Academic Skills (ELAS) programme?

• All levels from Foundation to Postgraduate
• 2 hours per week per workshop/module for 5 weeks, from weeks 15-20 (excluding week 19 as this is Enhancement week)

What modules do we deliver?

This spring term, you can choose to do any of the following modules:

• ED001 – Essay writing
• ED002 – Grammar
• ED003 – Seminar discussion and presentation skills
• EW334-337 – Talking Cultures workshops – to enhance cultural awareness and intercultural communication skills

To sign up for the modules, please complete this sign-up form

Modules fill up very quickly, so please sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Individual Tutorials:

• Essay writing tutorials (EDOO5)
• Speaking/Pronunciation tutorials (ED008)

To book an appointment for a tutorial, please email: internationalprogrammes@kent.ac.uk

Any credits?

ELAS modules do not carry credits but students can earn employability points for attendance.

• 2 hours attendance = 5 points
• maximum 20 points

Visit our website for more information about the modules.

Thank you!

International Programmes 

Deadline 2021: Friday 5 February 2021

The University will make every effort to avoid timetabling examinations or assessments on religious days or festivals for those students whose commitment to the observance of their faith would otherwise cause them to miss the examination or assessment. However, we are able to consider the needs of students only if their requirement for particular religious observance is mandatory. It is not possible to take account of casual preferences or of social or domestic reasons.

How to make a request

The main exam period will take place between Monday 10 May and Friday 18 June 2021 and includes Saturdays.

Students wishing to observe a religious commitment on a particular day during the published examination periods should notify the Examinations Office by emailing exams@kent.ac.uk  before Friday 5 February 2021, when exam scheduling work begins. The following information must be included:

• Name and student number
• Details of the observance
• The date on which it will be undertaken
• Proof of religious observance requirements e.g. a letter on headed paper from your place of worship

If students fail to contact the Examinations Office by the deadline, the University cannot accept responsibility if students are timetabled for an examination at a time when their religious requirements overlap with the date of an exam.

Please note the University may not always be able to accommodate requests. Where a request change has not been possible, students can submit a mitigating circumstances request.

See the Central Student Administration website for more information.

If you are facing financial hardship due to Covid-19, please take a look at our financial support options.

We have emergency short-term loans and other hardship funds available if you do find yourself in financial difficulty.

So, please get in touch with our Student Finance Team today.