Teaching begins this week – make sure you log your attendance in classes using Presto. 

Welcome Week may be over but there’s still plenty of opportunities to get involved and ways to get settled in: 

Monday 23 September: Library tour, Wellness Walkabout and finding a part-time job 

Get to know Templeman Library with a 30 minute drop-in library tour (11:00-11:30 and 15:00-15:30 each day this week). Find out how to borrow books, explore library study spaces and learn how to use the self-service machines.  

Meet new people and you’re the best places to relax and recharge at the ResLife Wellness Walkabout Canterbury campus tour. 

On Monday evening you can join UV Games at The Hub including UV table tennis, pickle ball, chess and jenga.  

Tuesday 24 September: Ask your questions and live comedy night 

Live in on-campus accommodation? Meet your ResLife Ambassadors and enjoy a social in DG-01 in Templeman Library. Ask questions you have about campus life and settling in, play games and enjoy hot drinks and biscuits.  

If you’re living off campus, join this workshop to meet the Student Welfare and Community Life team who can give you some top tips for living in Canterbury around dealing with landlords, money and staying safe. Plus, there will be snacks and freebies.  

On Tuesday evening you can enjoy a free live comedy night at Woody’s, with headliners Abi Clarke and Dane Buckley 

Wednesday 25 September:  plant pot painting, find out about the careers service and Medway Autumn Social 

Relax and meet new people at this Plant Pot Painting session in DG-01 in Templeman Library.  

Learn all about our Careers and Employability Service at this in-person session in Keynes. Discover tools and services that Kent students have access to so you can make your next steps.  

Based at Medway campus? Head to the Oasis Lounge for the Medway Autumn Social on Wednesday afternoon for some hot drinks and sweet treats to kick off the academic year.  

Thursday 26 September: Free houseplants, introduction to university study and activities to try 

Pick up a free houseplant on the central plaza (while stocks last!) from the Kent Community Oasis Garden. Plus, find out about the house plant hospital, propagation and ask any questions you have about the garden.  

New to university study? You can join one of these online sessions for undergraduates or postgraduates by our Skills for Academic Success team. The sessions will cover what to expect and how you can succeed as you embark on your studies.  

**This event has been postponed to Thursday 3 October** If you love to sing, why not come along to the launch of the new Pop ‘n’ Soul Choir? It’s open to students, staff and the local community with no audition and no need to read music. Come along to Colyer Fergusson on a Thursday evening and enjoy singing pop and soul songs.  

Get creative at the Crafternoon at The Hub. Paint some coasters or your clay crafts from the last week.  

Friday 27 September: Introduction to KentCOG and Employability Points Scheme 

Have you visited the Kent Community Oasis Garden before? On Friday lunchtime you can come along for an introduction to the garden and find out how you can get involved with their activities.  

Our Employability Points Scheme rewards students for their active engagement with co-curricular activities with experiences of work. ‘Employability Points’ can be cashed-in for the chance to apply for exclusive internships, work placements, training and more. Find out all about the Employability Points scheme and sign up at this online session.  

Saturday 28 September: Nature ramble in Blean Woods 

On Saturday you can join the ResLife Ambassadors for a nature ramble in the nearby Blean Wood. Plus, you get to meet ResLife mascots, dogs Beatrice and Tara.

See all student events on the My Kent events page.  

Welcome or welcome back to Kent! This week is Welcome Week, and there’s a ton planned to help you meet new people and settle in.

New students – don’t forget to prioritise your School and Division Welcome events so you’re ready for when teaching begins next week. There are also drop-in library tours each day during Welcome Week and Week 1 (11:00 morning tour and 15:00 afternoon tour) so you can familiarise yourself with Templeman Library.

Monday 16 September: Try new things

Welcome Week kicks off with the Fun House at the Venue with laser tag and games. On the library lawn you can try to be the Last One Standing on the podium, avoiding the big, sweeping arm!

In the evening there’s a Karaoke Night at K-Bar, Drag Bingo at Woody’s and then ChuckleVision Freshers Party at the Venue.

At Medway, there’s a Welcome to Kent event in the Oasis Lounge, plus Try it Out (Sports and Societies) and an International FoodFest. If you’re a new student based at Medway, don’t forget to pop into Medway Building during Welcome Week to pick up your KentOne card (ID) and finish any admin tasks.

Tuesday 17 September: Bubble Football and movie nights

Give Bubble Football a try on Tuesday, or relax at the Crafternoon on the library lawn where you can make friendship bracelets or paint a tote bag. In the evening you can watch Barbie at the Gulbenkian’s free outdoor cinema event! Or head to the Venue for the ACS Freshers Takeover.

At our Medway campus, you can meet some cute animals at the Picnic and Pets event at The Hub. There’s also laser tag and then a movie night at The Hub.

Wednesday 18 September: Medway Welcome Fair and Canterbury Global Hangout

Wednesday is the Medway Welcome Fair at The Hub. Meet all the societies and sports as well as students’ union and university support teams. Plus, there will be lots of freebies on offer. In the evening you can join the popular Music/Karaoke Night at Medway.

At Canterbury, there’s an orientation and welcome for short term and exchange students. Meet new and returning international students at the Global Hangout event in Darwin Conference Suite – enjoy crafts, games and refreshments in a relaxed environment.

On Wednesday afternoon, you can pick up some preloved household items donated by students at the Kent Students’ Union Campus Freecycle in Eliot car park. Items include bags, books, crockery and more.

Thursday 19 September: Canterbury Welcome Fair day 1 and Colour Fun Run

The Canterbury Welcome Fair is across Thursday and Friday and is a chance to meet societies and sports clubs whether you’re a new or returning student. There will be different student groups each day so try to visit both days if you can. Plus, great freebies including Domino’s pizza.

Join a Colour Fun Run on Canterbury campus where you get covered in powdered paint! On Thursday evening it’s Dancing Queen at K-Bar, a DJ night designed especially for Kent’s LGBTQ+ community who want to dance the night away.

At Medway you can enjoy Pancakes and Prosecco at The Deep End. You can also get creative with a Crafternoon at The Hub. Crafts include decorating scrapbooks, photo frames and wooden signs.

Friday 20 September: Canterbury Welcome Fair Day 2 and Medway Bollywood Night

Friday is Day 2 of Canterbury Welcome Fair, another chance to meet societies, sports teams and student groups. There’s also Nerf in the Venue and a Silent Disco at Woody’s in the evening.

At Medway, there’s GlobalFest which is a lively celebration of cultures from around the world with traditional performances, authentic foods and cultural music. Then we continue the celebrations with a Bollywood Night at The Deep End.

This is just a small selection of what’s on! See all Welcome Week events.

Don’t forget you can also travel to and from Canterbury and Medway campuses for free on the Campus Shuttle, so you can attend events at both campuses.

If you are moving to Kent check out our online Arrivals Guides. The guides include what you need to do when you arrive on campus, maps, places to eat and events.

See our Canterbury Arrivals Guide

See our Medway Arrivals Guide

See info. on campus catering outlets – including opening times

Welcome or welcome back to Kent!  

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about when your tuition and accommodation fees are due and how to pay them.  

If you are an undergraduate student funded by Student Finance England, they will pay the fees directly to the University. 

Key dates for Autumn term: tuition fees 

I’m an undergraduate student (not funded by Student Finance England) 

50% of your tuition fees are due when you enrol or complete returning registration (by 14 October 2024) and the remaining 50% are due on or before 1 December 2024. 

I’m a postgraduate student (in receipt of Student Finance) 

33% of your tuition fees are due on 23 September 2024. The remaining tuition fees are due on 13 January (33%) and 5 May (33%). 

I’m a postgraduate student (non-funded) 

50% of your tuition fees are due when you enrol or complete returning registration (by 14 October 2024) and the remaining 50% are due on or before 1 December 2024. 

I’m an international student 

If you are an international student whose country limits the movement of cash, we can review your options to pay in smaller amounts, but we do expect your fees to be paid in full within term one. This is particularly important if you have a Student visa as this is a requirement of your visa.  

Failure to pay could result in your student registration being cancelled. If you encounter a delay or problem making payment you must communicate with your Income Office Account Controller, so that they can review your options.  

Key dates for Autumn term: accommodation fees 

Your accommodation contract will state the amount due. See options for paying accommodation fees.  

I’m an undergraduate student (Canterbury) 

Your accommodation fees are due on 23 September 2024. 

I’m a postgraduate student (Canterbury) 

Your accommodation fees are due on 16 September 2024.  

I’m a student living in Pier Quays accommodation (Medway)

Pier Quays accommodation is provided by Unite Students for the University, so your contract is with Unite Students. All accommodation payments should be made to Pier Quays directly and not the University. Unite will tell you how you need to pay. You can go to the reception in Pier Quays to ask any queries about your accommodation fees. 

How do I pay my tuition or accommodation fees? 

Please see our making a payment webpage for more information. 

Need help? 

Please see our student finance FAQs which includes lots of questions around fees. You can also view the Income Office’s information sheet (pdf). 

If your question is not answered, please get in touch with the Income Office. 

Over the summer we’ve made a few changes behind the scenes to how our Academic Schools come together and will be moving to a 10 school structure. These changes won’t come into place until January 2025, so for the Autumn term continue to contact your Divisional support teams as you would’ve last academic year. If you’re unsure who to contact, ask Nexus to be linked up with the right service or team.

We will be in touch ahead of January 2025 with the details of the new academic management structure and what it means for you. If you have any questions or feedback in the meantime, please email kent2030student@kent.ac.uk

What’s an Academic Management Structure?

Our academic management structure sets out how different roles within Schools come together to support with teaching and administration. This includes how our services (IT, finance, student support) are organised so that we can best teach and support you while you’re at Kent.

Over the summer we have moved all University of Kent services at Medway to the Medway Building.

Here is where you will now find the following services at Medway:

• Student Support and Wellbeing – first floor of the Medway Building
• Careers and Employability Service – second floor of the Medway Building M2-01
• Skills for Academic Success (S.A.S) – second floor of the Medway Building M2-31
• Oasis Lounge – first floor of the Medway Building, just next to reception
• Medway Engagement Support Team – third floor of the Medway Building M3-13.

You can still use Drill Hall Library and The Hub at Medway as usual. Toni is your Lead Medway Officer from Kent Students’ Union if you have any feedback or need support.

Your timetable will have where your teaching sessions will take place at Medway.

As we get ready for the new academic year, here’s a reminder of all the support on offer at Kent and how to find it.