Updating how our teams work together

At Kent, we’re committed to ensuring you have the best possible experience while you study with us. Universities across the UK are facing significant financial challenges, and we’re taking steps to address these at Kent in a way that prioritises your education and wellbeing.

As we updated previously, we recently ran a Voluntary Severance Scheme to make savings by supporting staff who are looking to leave the University. Alongside this, we are making some higher-level changes to how support and administration teams work together. There is no change to the support teams you currently work with at this stage – we’ll let you know if anything student-facing does change if and when this is confirmed.

The proposed changes don’t affect our new Academic Schools and are intended to improve alignment with the new structure. The changes will enable back-office functions to be more student-focused, helping us meet students’ needs now and in the future.

Under the proposal being discussed with staff now, we would bring existing teams together into nine new directorates:

Finance
Information Technology Services
Marketing, Recruitment and External Engagement 
Research, Innovation and Business Development
Student Life 
Campus Services
Planning, Insights and Improvement
Human Resources and Organisational Development 
Governance, Assurance and Legal Services

Several of the current student-facing teams would come together within Student Life, ensuring better cohesion between key teams who support you throughout your time with us. This includes postgraduate support, with dedicated PG activity delivered through the Student Life directorate along with your academic support via your School.

Your Support at Kent

We understand how important it is to have consistent and reliable support throughout your time here. Our teams remain focused on ensuring continuity of support in all areas of university life, from your academic studies to wellbeing, accommodation, and campus services. No matter what changes happen behind the scenes, you can rely on dedicated teams to provide a consistent experience through the changes. This includes:

Student support services for wellbeing, accessibility, and guidance.
Academic advisors and programme teams to help with your studies.
Careers and employability teams to prepare you for life beyond university.
Ongoing supervision for your research if you are a postgraduate student.

From September 2025 we are also making broader changes to support your studies, following the changes to our course portfolio last year. This includes new modules with more industry and employability links, along with a revised academic year structure which means your assessments will happen much closer to when you study your course content. Keep an eye out for further updates on this throughout the term.

What’s on: Uni Mental Health Day, 13 March

On Thursday, we’re celebrating University Mental Health Day, led by UK student mental health charity Student Minds. Here at Kent we’ve got a range of events to help boost your wellbeing, as well as support for your mental health while you work and study.

What’s on: Thursday 13 March

Head to Nexus in Templeman Library for therapy dogs, crafts, games and to try a VR headset! You can also speak to staff from Student Support and Wellbeing. 10:00-16:00 with therapy dogs 12:00-16:00.
Rehome a house plant or bring yours to the pop-up house plant hospital on the plaza, 12:00-14:00.
Enjoy free tea, coffee and pastries at the Tea and Talk Morning at The Deep End, 9:30-11:30.
Head to the Oasis Lounge in Medway to cuddle a therapy dog and for free drinks, snacks and colouring, 12:00-14:00. You can also speak to staff from Student Support and Wellbeing and the Medway Chaplain.
Give yoga a try with the Yoga Society in Park Wood Dance Studio, 13:00-14:00.
‍Relax with a Meditation Session led by the Mindfulness Society in Park Wood Dance Studio, 15:00-16:30.
Decorate a stress ball and enjoy mindful colouring with ResLife in DG-01, Templeman Library, 15:00-17:00.
Join a free exercise class to boost your mood. Sign up at Kent Sport reception.

See all Uni Mental Health Day events and learn more about support.

Events roundup: 10-16 March

Find out what’s on this week including Uni Mental Health Day and Graduation Launch events.

Monday 10 March: Wellbeing workshop, graduating reflection (Medway) and time management workshop

On Monday you can attend the monthly wellbeing workshop in Keynes on the theme of ‘New beginnings – any time of year!’, led by Mental Health practitioners in Student Support and Wellbeing.

Are you graduating soon and based at Medway? You’re invited to this in-person session to encourage reflection and help you decide what you want to do next.

Does your time management need improving? Join this online Study Plus workshop all about time management, including common barriers and creating a practical plan for your needs.

Tuesday 11 March: Medway Graduation launch and mindfulness colouring

If you’re graduating this year at Medway, drop into the Oasis Lounge for the Medway Graduation Launch. Find out when your graduation ceremony will be and ask the graduation team any questions you may have. Tempest Photography and the Graduate Gowning Company will also be there to answer your photography and gowning questions.

Members of the counselling team will be available in Nexus to answer any queries you may have about therapy and mindfulness. Take some time to de-stress and unwind with mindful colouring.

Wednesday 12 March: Canterbury Graduation launch and PG Talk

On Wednesday it’s the Canterbury Graduation Launch! Taking place in Darwin Conference Suite, this is your chance to find out when your graduation ceremony will take place, get measured for your gown and ask any questions about your graduation day. Open to final year and PG students graduating this year. Drop by between 12:00-19:00, or 11:00-12:00 for the quiet hour (needs to be booked).

The next PG Talk is about ‘Research at Kent: Shaping the future’ and is open to all PG students. This is a chance for research students to present their research to fellow postgrad students in a safe, friendly and constructive space, and for PGT students to learn about the types of research taking place at Kent.

Thursday 13 March: Uni Mental Health Day and ‘Ice and Fire’ workshop and performance

Thursday is University Mental Health Day! There’s lots on including therapy dogs, VR headsets, games and crafts in Nexus, where you can also speak to members of Student Support and Wellbeing. Plus, there are society-led yoga and mindfulness sessions, free exercise classes and house plant hospital on the plaza. At Medway, head to the Oasis Lounge for a therapy dog session, crafts and to find out how you can look after your mental health.

We are delighted to welcome Actors for Human Rights bringing ‘Ice and Fire’ to campus. Join them for a participatory workshop: Mapping the Asylum Process exclusively for students which will give you an opportunity to understand the complexities of the UK asylum seeking process and the challenges people face as they navigate it to gain legal status.

Later, Actors for Human Rights will perform Asylum Monologues, a stunning performance crafted from first-hand accounts of the UK’s asylum system in the words of people who have experienced it. This will be followed by a Q&A featuring panellists from KRAN, Care 4 Calais alongside Ice and Fire moderated by Student Action for Refugees (STAR) society.

Friday 14 March: Holi celebration (Medway) and Spring Career Fair prep

Get ready to dive into a world of vibrant colours and festive joy at The Hub’s Medway Holi Colour Throwing event on Friday afternoon!

The Spring Careers Fair is coming up on Tuesday 18 March. Join this online session on Friday about unlocking opportunities and strategies for success at the upcoming Careers Fair.

Saturday 15 March: Trip to Leeds Castle

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can enjoy a coach trip to Leeds Castle. Enjoy a day out to King Henry VIII’s beautiful castle in the stunning Kent countryside for just £5 (includes coach trip and entry).

See more student events.

Opportunities

Santander’s Brighter Futures Grants are back! You have the chance to win 1 of 10 £1,000 grants for Kent students to boost your studies. Use the money for rent, bills, study resources or anything else you need. Enter by 15 May for your chance to win. T&Cs apply. No need to bank with Santander to take part. Good luck!

See more student opportunities.

Join a free exercise class on Uni Mental Health Day, 13 March

In support of University Mental Health Day, Thursday 13 March, Kent Sport will be offering 10 free spaces in 10 different classes on our fitness and dance class timetable to support everyone and promote mental wellbeing within our community.

The classes available to access on the day are listed below;

Virtual: BodyAttack, Sprint, BodyCombat, Dance & GRIT
In-person: Body Blast, Power Pilates, Core & More, LBT & Boxfit

For all class start times and 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.

‘Ice and Fire’ workshop, performance and panel discussion for Student Refugee Week

Student Refugee Week in March is an opportunity for students to galvanise and engage with the issues and resilience of people seeking sanctuary.

Student workshop

We are delighted to welcome Actors for Human Rights bringing ‘Ice and Fire’ to campus on Thursday 13 March in Aphra, Grimond Building. Join them 16:00-17:00 for a participatory workshop: Mapping the Asylum Process exclusively for students which will give you an opportunity to understand the complexities of the UK asylum seeking process and the challenges people face as they navigate it in order to gain legal status.

Performance, panel and reception

Following the workshop, Actors for Human Rights will perform Asylum Monologues, a stunning performance crafted from first-hand accounts of the UK’s asylum system in the words of people who have experienced it.

This will be followed by a Q&A featuring panellists from KRAN, Care 4 Calais alongside Ice and Fire moderated by Student Action for Refugees (STAR) society, and a reception. The performance, panel and reception are free and open to all.

Get Exams Ready

If you are sitting exams at Kent this summer, our Exams 2025 guidance is now out!

Guidance includes technical support with online exams, what to expect from in-person exams and support available to you. Your exam timetable will be available on KentVision around two weeks before the end of the Spring term, so week commencing 24 March.

Apply for Exam Adjustments by Friday 7 March

If you need, or think you need, adjusted exam arrangements because of a disability, medical condition, or mental health condition and haven’t yet arranged your ILP, the deadline is this Friday 7 March.

ASPIRE pitching finals

Eight Kent students will enter the dragons’ den in the ASPIRE’s pitching finals to try to impress judges including the founder of international fashion brand Dune London, Daniel Rubin.

Selected following the inspiring 15-week Business Start-Up Journey programme, students who could win £1000 prize money are:

Toyin Sanyaolu (KBS) with Wonder Lab – immersive STEM teaching.

Jane Davidson (History) with Positive Procrastination – time management tools.

Danika Hossain (KBS) with Banghra Blends – Indian inspired range of cocktails and drinks.

Felicity James (School of Social Sciences) with Dive Right In – an inclusive swim school.

Isidora Grey (KBS) with Protein Cookies

Akash Ramakrishna Iytha (KBS) founder of a new customised clothing brand

Aamir Khokhar (KBS) with Khocars tours – inclusive sports car road trips

Rhoslyn Singh (School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics) – Rhoslyn’s Art – direct to consumer hand-painted artwork

The finalists will compete in the pitching finals to be held in Sibson on Wednesday 19 March. They each have 5 minutes to pitch their business, followed by 4 minutes of quick-fire questions from the judges.

The judges are:

Emay Enemokwu, KBS graduate and founder of JEHUCAL streetwear brand

Nadia Simpson, KBS graduate and founder of Your Amora and NuEleFa beauty brands

Daniel Rubin, KBS graduate (second 500), Kent Hon Doc and founder Dune London

Alex Ford, Computer Science graduate, serial entrepreneur and founder Claro Wealth

Laura Bounds MBE owner of award-winning brands Kent Crisps, Kentish Oils, Kentish Condiments and A Little Bit Food Co

Debbie Zaman, Angel investor and mentor for the Innovation RCA incubator at the Royal College of Art. Supporter of woman in business and (Exited) Founder of With, PR agency.

Nadia was a finalist last year and is judging the competition this year.

In the audience will be family, friends and supporters of the ASPIRE’s work including investors, mentors and ASPIRE alumni.

The finalists will all be working with mentors to help them prepare for the pitching finals. Mentors include owner of Garage Coffee, Luke Underdown, owner of Macknade Fine Food Hall, Stefano Cuomo and Dan Crooks, MD of iFruits.

Pop-up market

Alongside the pitching finals, other students will be showcasing their businesses in an exciting pop-up market held in Sibson atrium from 10:00 – 13:00 on March 19.

Businesses taking part in the pop-up market include 1823 fashion including clothes, shoes and accessories; Divine Lashes by Isha; EntreConchitas jewellery, Hampers by Dani, Heretical Studios VR experiences and delicious cakes from Spontaneous Bakes and Sugar Sweet.

Shop the pop-up market any time between 10:00 – 13:00 to show your support for Kent’s student entrepreneurs.

Places to watch pitching finals from 14:00-16:00 are limited and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. To request a reserved place please email ASPIRE@kent.ac.uk

Ramadan Mubarak!

To all our Muslim students, we wish you Ramadan Mubarak!

What is Ramadan?

“The month of Ramadan is the month in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people, and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” [Qur’an, 2:185]

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam. It is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation during which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an and when Muslim students and staff may be abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours. They may also have an altered sleep pattern and may be taking more time to pray.

When is Ramadan?

This year, Ramadan takes place approximately between the 1 and 31 March 2025

Muslims follow the lunar calendar, so the exact start and end dates depend on the sighting of the moon, so these dates can vary slightly.

If you are a Muslim student, it is possible that observing Ramadan may impact some aspects of your studies. For example, we understand that during Ramadan:

You may need to briefly leave part of a teaching session to pray
You may find it harder to concentrate in the afternoons

Accessing Student Support and Guidance

We would like to support you so that you can continue studying during this time. If you are struggling with any academic sessions, particularly if these are lab based, physical or in the afternoon, please do discuss with the relevant academic staff in the first instance.

If, in extreme circumstances, you are unable to attend a teaching session due to Ramadan, you are able to record this as a reason for absence in the free text field, however please note that this will still affect your attendance record.

If you are observing Ramadan, and you have any concerns about how it may impact your studies or want to know what academic support may be available to you, then please get in touch with the Student Engagement Team. For emotional and wellbeing support, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing. For faith support or enquiries, please contact the Chaplaincy.

Ways to support your Muslim peers during Ramadan

Send well-wishes

Here are some common greetings you can use to share your well-wishes with your Muslim peers during Ramadan:

‘Ramadan Mubarak’ – ‘Blessed Ramadan’
‘Ramadan Kareem’ – ‘Noble Ramadan’
‘Kul ‘am wa enta bi-khair’ – ‘I wish you well on this occasion every year’

Consider hosting an Iftar

Consider inviting your Muslim peers to Iftar (break fast) or dinner at your place. Or, you could even bring them over a dish so that they don’t have to cook.

ResLife have also organised an Iftar dinner in Canterbury on Friday 7 March.

Don’t feel guilty about eating or drinking in front of them.

While you may think you’re being considerate by not eating in front of a peer observing Ramadan, this could actually create unnecessary awkwardness.

Fasting is not solely about abstaining from food and drink, but is more so about reflection, prayer, and connection with God. Observing Muslims know this and so make an intention each day to adhere to the fast despite urges to do otherwise.

If you notice a peer isn’t fasting, try not to publicly ask why.

Not all Muslims will fast for a number of reasons – sickness, needing to take medication, pregnancy, women being on their period etc. Care should be taken not to offend people who are not fasting, by publicly asking for reasons as to why.

Similarly, some Muslims who may not be observant during the rest of the year, may observe Ramadan. Try to reserve judgement and not make any assumptions.

Do not trivialise their fast

Be mindful not to link their fast to a fad diet or reduce it to simply being a great way to lose weight.

To your Muslim peer, this is a deep and highly important religious practice, and they sacrifice their time, appetite and energy because they are committed to their faith.

Join the Ramadan spirit of giving to charity

The essence of Ramadan involves recognising the blessings one has and showing gratitude by supporting those who are in need. While this is a prescription for Muslims, Ramadan could also be an excellent time for non-Muslims to offer their support.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

You might be embarrassed by the lack of knowledge, but most Muslims welcome questions from colleagues and friends.

Fasting is an individual experience. Asking a specific fasting person if they need or want anything from you is the best way in ensuring you are actually being supportive and inclusive.

Events roundup: 3-9 March

Find out what’s on this week including WorldFest celebrations, Careers’ Inspiring Women Week and National Student Money Week.

Monday 3 March: Exam ILP drop in (Medway), basket challenge and empowering talks

If you want to check your Inclusive Learning Plan (ILP) exam adjustments, or if you think you would be entitled to exam adjustments because of a disability, specific learning difference, mental health condition or long-term medical condition, come along to M1-03 for a drop-in with the Medway Disability Adviser.

Join us for an empowering session with Kent Alumna, Kinga Stabryla, the Managing Director of the award-winning agency Brandspire. Taking place in Cornwallis East, this session is all about navigating the workplace as women of worth and delves into the complexities of the mental load carried by women, both in and out of the workplace.

There’s also a talk from Women in Law Kent about personal branding for women in Law, taking place in Grimond. They will share their career journeys, insights, and experiences, followed by a Q&A.

As part of National Student Money Week, Kent Students’ Union will have a basket challenge in Nexus where you can guess the price of two baskets of shopping (branded items versus their value counterparts). Whoever has the closest guess will win the basket! (Two chances to win).

Tuesday 4 March: Medway Global Hangout, Pets as Therapy (Medway) and hear from inspiring women

Join in with the Medway Global Hangout for a fun afternoon of games and craft activities to celebrate Pancake Day in the Oasis Lounge, Medway. You can also drop into The Hub for Pets as Therapy over lunch time and connect with a cute dog!

As part of Careers’ Inspiring Women Week, there’s events with Kent alumna Fiona Kettle about putting the Creative in Creative Operations, and a talk about being the only women in the room by AI Machine Learning Engineer and Associate Director Rhian Taylor, who shares her journey through academia and industry as a woman in STEM.

Wednesday 5 March: Canterbury Global Hangout, KSU Advice pop-up, language taster sessions and WorldFest Games

Join us for the Canterbury Global Hangout for an afternoon of fun games, crafts and refreshments.

Want to give a new language a try? Join a WorldFest language taster session on Wednesday in Japanese, Arabic, Mandarin or Russian and Ukrainian.

Speak to the KSU Advice Team on the Plaza on Wednesday about tips and strategies to manage your money effectively. They will be there to discuss budgeting tips as well as giving out freebies.

Get a team together and join in with our friendly WorldFest Games and represent your culture, society or country. Compete in 4 different sports – badminton, basketball, pickleball and table tennis for your chance to win prizes including £100 for the team that comes first place!

Thursday 6 March: Crafternoon (Medway) and give archery tag a try

Decorate pocket mirrors and bookmarks at the ‘This Girl Can’ Crafternoon at The Hub on Thursday. Get creative and meet new people.

ResLife and Kent Sport are delighted to launch their new Archery Tag Sessions. Think Nerf and Dodgeball but with Bows and Arrows!

Friday 7 March: Iftar dinner and be in the audience for ‘The 3^rd Degree’ recording

On Friday evening you’re invited to our Iftar dinner in Rutherford Dining Hall. You can choose from a butter chicken curry or vegetable biryani. The event is open to all and there will be a fast -track lane for students who are breaking their fast. Come along for great food and a chat!

BBC Radio 4 is coming to Kent to record an episode of a general knowledge quiz show ‘The 3^rd Degree’, hosted by Steve Punt (Mock the Week, Horrible Histories). It’s a light-hearted show that pits three undergrads against three of their lecturers in a general knowledge/university subject quiz. Book now to be part of the audience.

Reminders and opportunities

The deadline to apply for Inclusive Learning Plan (ILP) adjustments is Friday 7 March. If you have a query about an ILP, get in touch with Student Support and Wellbeing by emailing KentSSW@kent.ac.uk (Canterbury students) or MedwaySSW@kent.ac.uk. (Medway students).
Want to get rewarded over the summer and get a paid internship? The deadline to log your Employability Points is the 10 March. Make sure that you have over at least 50 points to be able to apply for the rewards taking place this summer.
Do you want to represent your fellow students and have a say in shaping the future of the student experience at Kent? Apply to be part of the Kent 2030 Student Advisory Panel by 11 March.

National Student Money Week 2025: Events and support

This week is National Student Money Week (3-7 March 2025). This year’s theme is Survive and Thrive: Building Financial Resilience. Find out what’s on and how you can get support.

Basket challenge, Monday 3 March 11:00-15:00 – guess the amount and you could win the whole basket!

Notice how the amount your shopping costs sometimes jumps up so quickly? Kent Students’ Union is putting brand-name items up against their value counterparts. Come and look at their two shopping baskets in Nexus, Templeman Library, and work out the difference those shops cost and see which option offers the best value for your budget.

Guess how much each of the baskets cost and whoever has the closest guess will win that basket. (Two baskets available so 2 chances to win). Each basket will have 10 items, one basket will be the branded items and the other will be the value options.

Kent Students’ Union Advice Team pop-up on the Plaza, Wednesday 5 March 11:00-14:00