Creating comfortable and practical living spaces is an important part of helping students feel at home at the University of Kent. Guided by student feedback, we have invested around £3 million in improving campus accommodation and communal areas since 2022, as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the student experience.
Refurbishing living spaces
Over the past few years, refurbishment works across several on campus accommodation areas have included redecorating bedrooms, laying new carpets and upgrading shared kitchen furniture. Sustainable choices have also been an important consideration, including the installation of carbon neutral carpeting in refurbished spaces.
This summer, further investment will continue across additional accommodation areas, including the next phase of bedroom and kitchen refurbishments. New height-adjustable desks and shelving units will also be introduced in a number of residences, helping students personalise and use their study spaces more comfortably.
Improving shared study and social areas
Alongside bedroom improvements, we have focused on enhancing shared living areas for students to support both their study and socialising. In several communal kitchens, uncomfortable or mismatched seating is being replaced with more supportive options, helping to create more comfortable communal spaces for students to cook, eat and spend time together.
We have also listened carefully to student feedback on how accommodation spaces are used day to day. This has led to improvements in study and social areas, including refreshed communal hubs across campus with updated decor and new study furniture designed to better support independent and group working.
Making campus easier to navigate
Wayfinding and accessibility around accommodation areas have also been improved by updating the signposts around the area, making it easier for students and visitors to navigate campus residential spaces. As we continue to invest in our accommodation and shared spaces, student feedback will remain at the heart of future improvements. By creating environments that are comfortable, practical and supportive of student life, we aim to ensure our campus accommodation continues to feel like a welcoming home throughout students’ time at Kent.
