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.
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.
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.
Welcome to Kent (and welcome back to all returning students)! Hopefully you are starting to settle into the swing of things, establishing a routine, making friends and settling into your classes. With that in mind, now seems like the perfect opportunity to bring your attention to the all-student e-learning Moodle module, Expect Respect.
You have probably seen Expect Respect on your Moodle homepage, or seen information about it circulated by your Academic School, but may not have opened it yet or know what it is all about.
Expect Respect is an open module that every student, regardless of course, year, level or mode of study, is automatically registered on when they first join the University. Kent is a large, diverse organisation with different nationalities, cultures, religions, ages, disabilities, sexualities, genders, philosophies, values and beliefs all represented. This means Kent is a vibrant, energising and exciting place to learn about how other people think and navigate the world, but can also mean that sometimes those beliefs and values can cause conflict between people when they disagree. We want everyone to feel at home and that they belong at Kent. Expect Respect is designed to introduce you to some of the behaviours that we expect all students (and staff) to display whilst they are with us and to help ensure that any difference in view or opinion is discussed or treated respectfully.
Expect Respect introduces you to ideas and concepts, some of which may be familiar to you and others may be completely new. It covers topics such as racism and becoming actively anti-racist, gender identity and gender critical viewpoints, Academic Freedom of Speech, ageism and sexism and religious discrimination as well as an introduction to having challenging conversations and being an active bystander. Importantly, it introduces you to all the support services at Kent, including our Report and Support system to help you get access to specialist support for anything in relation to discrimination, harassment or sexual assault. It has been developed in collaboration with academic staff and student societies over a number of years to ensure it is balanced and truly reflective of the myriad voices we have here.
Some of the topics in the module may well be uncomfortable for you. That is OK! Much of your learning at university will encourage you to think and reflect critically and Expect Respect is no different. Worried that a topic may be upsetting for you? No problem, you have the option to skip specific sections if you need to. The Specialist Wellbeing Team is also available to provide you with help and support if you would benefit from this. You don’t have to complete the module all in one go, although we would encourage you to finish it by the end of the first term if possible.
If you have any questions about Expect Respect please contact the Student EDI Officer on StudentEDI@kent.ac.uk
STIs can have a major impact on your health regardless of your age, gender or sexual orientation. The best way to reduce your risk of an infection is to use a condom consistently and correctly with new or casual partners.
If you think you have an STI, it’s important to been seen quickly by a qualified professional. The NHS provides free, confidential STI testing to detect any potential infections and prevent you passing them on to others.
For further information see the sexual health web pages of Kent County Council that provides a wealth of information about sexual health, testing and services in the area, what going for a check-up is like and ordering of self-test kits. The Gate Clinic based at Kent & Canterbury Hospital offer bookable appointments throughout the week.
For Medway area contact the NHS Clover Street sexual health hub including services specifically for under 25s.
Unboxing at home STI self-testing kit
We are delighted to invite Kent students to apply for this year’s Global Officers Leadership Development (GOLD) Programme. The programme is a co-curricular venture, designed to fit around your academic studies. It provides a framework of activities for globally-minded students at Kent to develop their leadership skills, global citizenship and cultural awareness.
There are 5 components which can be completed throughout the academic year.
Benefits include:
This programme is also offered as a credit-bearing ‘wild’ module, GOLD5000.
For further details please see our website or you can come along to our information sessions:
Canterbury campus
Medway campus
Deadline to apply is 12:00 (noon UK time), 14 October, 2024.
(If considering taking this as a wild module, usual module registration deadline applies).
What past students have said:
I would highly recommend this programme to any student who is globally minded and wants to be more active on campus, as well as wanting to learn new skills that you don’t get when you join a society.
Preena Dodhia, BSc Biomedical Science
My time on the GOLD Programme has been absolutely amazing. I truly enjoyed learning about different cultures, meeting new people and taking part in the initiatives under it. Not only have I become more confident as an individual, but I have also improved in my leadership and cultural awareness capabilities.
Global Officer, 2023-24
The GOLD programme is a GREAT opportunity for anyone looking to place themselves out of their comfort zone, gain skills and meet like-minded people. It gave me the chance to develop new interests and connect to other programmes and opportunities with international universities, all of which can be utilised in my search for a job after university. I have made amazing friends who I will keep in touch with, and felt like I have extended my year abroad experience in the comfort of Kent, keeping my passion for understanding cultures alive! I would recommend GOLD to all Kent students with an interest in the international and encourage you to put yourself out there.
Lucy Lavender, BA Politics and International Relations with a Year in Continental Europe
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.
Volunteering Opportunity for Kent staff and students
Are you interested in learning more about Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) and the work they do with refugees in Kent, and also build skills in oral history transcriptions and producing transcription summaries? You might wish to get involved in this project! Read on to find out more…
The University of Kent’s Special Collections and Archives are delighted to be working on the KRAN Family Matters: Kent Refugee Action Network 20th Anniversary Heritage Project. This is a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to celebrate the 20th anniversary of KRAN by recording oral histories with the people involved with the organisation.
Capturing two decades of work to welcome refugees in Kent
The project aims to learn the story of the organisation first-hand, from the people involved in setting it up and realising its vision to support under-age asylum seekers. During the project, KRAN’s Youth Ambassadors will be trained in Oral History techniques, and will interview those involved in the organisation, recording and conserving the collective learning gained from two decades of working to welcome refugees in Kent.
The oral histories will provide a record of the challenges and successes in KRAN’s history through stories and experiences passed down from founders, volunteers, staff and supporters. The project team will be working to fill gaps, bring in new perspectives and give voice to people excluded from traditional historical records.
Special Collections and Archives at the University of Kent will be providing a permanent home for the KRAN oral history collection, and ensure they are catalogued and preserved using professional standards, and made accessible according to data protection and confidentiality requirements. Look out for more information on a November launch event in the Templeman!
How can you get involved?
If you are interested in this opportunity please do get in touch with Beth Astridge in Special Collections and Archives: SpecialCollections@kent.ac.uk. All training will be provided and the work can be done entirely remotely.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.