We are pleased to announce that the University has once again been successful in its bid for funding from the UK government’s Turing Scheme. This will enable us to support around 300 Kent students this year on study, research, work and volunteering projects around the world. With a strong focus on widening participation, additional funding will be available for less advantaged students, helping them grow their ambition on a global scale. 

Jerome and friends at a waterfall in Fiji. Jerome volunteered with Think Pacific

This will be Kent’s fourth year of participating in the Turing Scheme and almost 500 Kent students have already benefited from funding which has developed their skills and enhanced their employability through activities such as wildlife forensics training in South Africa, Mandarin learning in China, marketing internships in Madrid, conservation projects in Bali and Fiji and many more.  

Nalini spent the Summer with Fund Amazonia in Peru.

Here is a quote from one student who returned from Peru studying primates in the Amazon, “I saw so many species, visited indigenous communities, worked with amazing people and I feel so lucky to of been able to do it all, I truly don’t believe I’d be able to ever replicate a trip like it.” 

Kent offers year-long Go Abroad placements and one-month Summer Abroad  opportunities around the world, which allow students to build international networks, develop skills and attributes that will enhance their employability, and gain life changing experiences. 

Jerome and friends after playing sports in Fiji.

More details on our Go Abroad pages and at our series of Go Abroad events at EmpFest.

Email: goabroad@kent.ac.uk 

This week sees the start of Black History Month with events including a coffee morning, inspirational speaker talk, art exhibition and film nights. See all Black History Month events.

Plus, there’s lots more happening this week including sessions to improve your skills, meet others and challenge yourself to try something new.

Monday 30 September: IT skills and board game night

Do you need to brush up on your basic IT skills? Join this Skills for Academic Success Team’s webinar about using the Windows Operating System including formatting Word documents and saving files in different formats.

Live in on-campus accommodation? On Monday evening you can join ResLife Ambassadors Himadri and Elyse for board games, puzzles and card games in DG-01 in Templeman Library.

Tuesday 1 October: finding a part-time job and PGR time management

Thinking about finding a part-time job? This in-person session in Keynes will cover different options for part-time work, what might be best for you and steps you need to take to apply for roles.

The Graduate and Researcher College are running a time management and habits in-person session for postgraduate researchers including topics such as prioritisation and procrastination.

Wednesday 2 October: Social justice talk, ResLife Cup, Business Start Up Journey Launch and GOLD programme info session

As part of Black History Month, Andrew Morris, activist and founder of the New Wave Trust joins us for the first in our series of talks on the topic of social justice. Andrew will share his unique and personal perspective on Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPPs) and discuss the wider issues that surround the current justice system in the UK.

The first event of the ResLife Cup is here with an inflatable assault course, hungry hippos, gladiators and much more. Score points for your accommodation (or just for fun if you live off campus) and enjoy trying out some exciting new activities with friends.

Interested in starting your own business? Join the Business Start-Up Journey Launch event on Wednesday afternoon to find out more about the University’s flagship entrepreneurship programme and hear from two Kent alumni as they share their inspiring stories of starting their own businesses. The Business Start-Up Journey is run by ASPIRE, the University dedicated space to support student entrepreneurs.

Open to all students, the Global Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) programme is a year-long course designed to develop your leadership skills, global citizenship and cultural intelligence. Come along to the GOLD programme information session in Ingram to find out more. ​There is an additional info session at Medway next week.

Thursday 3 October: participating in seminars, social sports (Medway) and launch of Pop ‘n’ Soul Choir

The Skills for Academic Success team are running a webinar all about participating in seminars. Learn key tips on how to make the most from your seminars, what to expect and how you can perform at your best within the seminar format.

At Medway, you can give Social Badminton or Social Cricket a go for free at Waterfront UTC which is just down the road from Pier Quays accommodation.

Postponed from last week, the Pop ‘n’ Soul Choir is launching on Thursday evening. Open to all without audition and there’s no need to read music. Just come along!

Friday 4 October: Farm visit with afternoon tea and volunteer at the Kent Community Oasis Garden

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can join a farm visit and afternoon tea for just £5. Meet and brush friendly horses and enjoy a tasty afternoon tea in a local village.

Each Wednesday and Friday, you’re welcome to go along to the Kent Community Oasis Garden (KentCOG) located near Park Wood. KentCOG is a collection of students, staff and community members working to create a sustainability hub centred around growing food.

See all student events.

Following the success of the previous student-led markets, Kent Students’ Union is looking to organise another Black Student Market this Black History Month (BHM)!

In celebration of BHM, we eagerly anticipate the participation of a diverse array of student businesses, all led by Black students, who will showcase their products at the University of Kent. Hundreds of staff and students are invited to join us at the Plaza on our Canterbury campus to support and purchase from these Black-led ventures.

For further details, the event will take place between 12:00 and 15:00 on Tuesday, 29 October. Businesses are encouraged to set up between 11:00 and 12:00, and dismantle their stalls at 15:00.

If you’re a Black student entrepreneur and interested in securing a stall to showcase and sell your products, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Stall spaces are limited and filling up fast, so please ensure your spot by registering your interest on the online form.

Closing date for registration of interest: 1 October 2024

A Student Art Pass lets you dive into culture on a budget with FREE entry to hundreds of museums and galleries across the UK, and 50% off major exhibitions.

Plus, you’ll gain access to paid arts opportunities and grow your network by joining the #WeAreArtful @StudentArtPass community.

Limited offer: Use code FRESHERS to get 20% off your Student Art Pass before Monday 30 September.

Available for a limited time. Get your pass today.

Two University of Kent alumni share their inspiring stories of starting their own businesses at the launch of this year’s Business Start-Up Journey, the University’s flagship entrepreneurship programme.

Nadia Simpson, a Kent Business School graduate and founder of the London-based fragrance and wellness brand From Amora, will share her experience of building a business that specialises in cruelty-free and alcohol-free perfume oils. With 25k TikTok followers and over 10k Instagram followers, Nadia has built a strong following and brand in a competitive industry.

Alex Ford, a Business and Computer Science graduate and serial entrepreneur, co-founded the fintech company Claro Wealth, based in London, which has secured over £7 million in funding and grown to a team of 32 professionals. The company has been featured on national TV and now has over 40,000 app users with £6 million deposited. Alex’s journey will offer incredible insight into what it takes to build a successful fintech start-up.

Both Alex and Nadia will talk honestly about being an entrepreneur and the ambition which drives them through the lows, to the highs.

What is the Business Start-Up Journey?

The Business Start-Up Journey is a 15-week programme packed with interactive and practical workshops that guide participants through every stage of launching a business. From coming up with an idea and testing it, to marketing, finance, and pitching to investors – the programme covers it all.

Whether you’re at the very beginning of your entrepreneurial journey or looking to refine your business idea, the Business Start-Up Journey offers the support and resources you need to succeed.

Business Start-Up Journey launch event

The 2024 launch will take place on October 2 in Lecture Theatre 1, Sibson, Canterbury. As the University of Kent’s largest extracurricular entrepreneurial programme, the event will be a fantastic opportunity to meet inspiring business owners and likeminded students.

The Business Start-Up Journey is run by ASPIRE, the University of Kent’s dedicated space to support student entrepreneurs. ASPIRE is open to all University of Kent students and helps develop the entrepreneurial skills needed to turn ideas into successful businesses. Join us on 2nd October for an inspiring event and learn more about how the Business Start-Up Journey can help you take your business ideas to the next level.

Register for the launch event.