Last week, Kent students gathered for our latest Tea with the Vice-Chancellor session – an open forum where Kent students put their burning questions directly to the VC. Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it – watch/read the video/blog summary with Himadri (KSU President) and George (University of Kent VC and President) below. Tea with the VC will also be returning in the New Year!
From big-picture changes to everyday student concerns, here’s what was discussed:
- The Greenwich collaboration – What does it mean for students?
The headline topic was the proposed merger between the University of Kent and University of Greenwich. The VC clarified that this is the creation of a first-of-its-kind multi-university group. The University of Kent and the University of Greenwich plan to form the London and South East University Group (name subject to regulatory approval).
Students will still apply to, study at, and graduate from their chosen university, but the partnership aims to:
- Build resilience for the future
- Share best practice
- Enhance resources for student experience and research
For now, nothing will change for students. In time, we expect them to benefit from additional opportunities that will come from being part of the new group.
Find out more about the collaboration with the University of Greenwich.
- Cost of Living
Acknowledging the ongoing financial pressures students face, the VC outlined a range of initiatives:
- The work of the Cost of Living task force, in partnership with Kent Students’ Union, to discuss pressures faced by students and how the University can respond and support students.
- Affordable meal deals and social spaces with microwaves and hot water taps.
- Hardship fund and revised Kent Financial Support Package.
- Laptop loans and structural changes to the academic calendar to support working students.
Kent is committed to ongoing support, recognising that these challenges aren’t going away. See our Cost-of-Living webpages for more.
- Employability and placements
Graduate employability is a priority area for both our students and the University. Steps Kent is taking to improve your career opportunities and develop your skills include:
- Embedding skills and industry links into the curriculum.
- Expanding placement opportunities.
- Relocating the Careers and Employability Service to a central campus location.
- Support available up to three years after graduation.
- Medway Campus
Medway students raised concerns about feeling overlooked and the VC understands these concerns but highlighted exciting developments at Medway and opportunities for students:
- Long-term plans include an accelerated business degree and the Docking Station, a digital innovation hub opening in 2026.
- Medway has its own Students’ Union building on campus – the Hub. The Hub is home to all three universities’ unions, providing support, events and societies all students can get involved in. You can also find The Deep End, a bar and café, in The Hub.
- Medway students have access to the facilities at both the Canterbury and Medway campuses, with the free Campus Shuttle connecting both sites.
What’s next?
More sessions are planned for Term 2 so keep an eye on My Kent for more details in the New Year. Got questions or ideas? Email: hello@ksu.co.uk