The University of Kent

Address and Location

Split over two campuses in Canterbury and Medway, with additional sites in Paris and Brussels, Kent University envisages itself as a European university at the gateway to the continent. Ideally located in a beautiful corner of the South-East, the main campus is a ten minute walk from Canterbury city centre.

 

 

Background and History

Established in 1965, Kent University has expanded to become a forward-thinking multi-site institution. Founded on principles of social inclusion and international influence, the university has a long history of overseas partnerships, strengthened by the opening of its Brussels campus in 1999.  

Location and Accessibility

Canterbury Campus

By Rail: It takes under ninety minutes to travel from Central London to Canterbury. The university provides the UNIBUS service from Canterbury bus station to the campus, running every 15 minutes.

By Road: Canterbury can be reached via the M25, leaving at Junction 2 when travelling clockwise or Junction 5 when travelling anticlockwise. After exiting, follow the signs for Canterbury and the A2.

Medway Campus

By Rail: Trains from central London take between 50 and 75 minutes to Chatham, the nearest station. Buses run from the station to the university campus.

By Road: The Medway Campus can be accessed from London and the North via the M25, or the M2 from the East. Head towards the Historic Dockyard and Chatham Maritime on the A289, then exit at Liberty Quays.

Accessibility: A modern campus means students with disabilities are well catered for at Kent. Information on accessibility and learning support is supplied by the university Disability and Dyslexia Support Service.

What's on Offer

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, MRes, MArch, MBA, LLM, GDip, PDip, MPhil, PhD

Entry Requirements

Entry standards vary between subjects, with most requiring 180-390 UCAS points. Specific course information can be found on the university website.

University Accommodation

Accommodation varies across the two UK campuses, but with nearly 6,000 rooms options are available to suit every taste. Undergraduates are guaranteed a place in halls in their first year, providing Kent is their first choice university. The university provides separate rooms for postgraduate students.  

Private Accommodation

The university gives ample support for students moving off-campus, providing a list of accredited landlords and a forum for students to discuss their housing issues. Most second and third-years choose to live in nearby Whitstable, Herne Bay or Faversham.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

Billing itself as the UK's 'European University', at Kent emphasis is placed on foreign study. A year spent abroad is traditionally reserved for language students. At Kent this option is promoted to those studying all courses. Students are encourage to spend time in locations as far-flung as Japan and Peru. Kent has a strong research record, in recent years ranking in the top 30 UK research universities by the Times, Guardian and government Research Assessment Exercise.

Tuition Fees

Undergraduate courses currently cost £9,000 per year. Fees for international students and postgraduates vary.

Financial Support: The university offers a comprehensive support package for students, including grants, bursaries and scholarships in music and sport. Students who achieve outstanding A-Level results are eligible for an Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Academic Facilities

Teaching is conducted in central, state-of-the-art facilities. Arts students are able to use the Gulbenkian Complex, which contains a 340-seat theatre, independent cinema and dedicated space for exhibitions and galleries. The Colyer-Fergusson Music Performance Centre has also been recently completed. Wi-fi is available across both campuses and Canterbury central library is equipped with over 1.3 million books, many in electronic form. The Gillingham Building acts as a central hub for the Medway Campus, hosting most academic departments and an industry-standard multimedia newsroom.

Other on-site Amenities

As part of the Olympic Legacy Programme, the university has invested heavily in its already world-class sporting facilities. A third sports hall and a physiotherapy clinic have been added to existing facilities, which include fitness suites and artificial games pitches. Students have access to a wide range of on-campus bars and restaurants. With a cinema, daycare centre, off-licence and several well-stocked shops on their doorstep, students have little need to make the short walk to Canterbury. In the past, Kent has been voted the safest university in the UK by the Complete University Guide - an added boon for parents.

 

Medical and Social Care

The Canterbury campus has an on-site GP practice, nursing service and pharmacy. The university also provides a dedicated counselling service and multi-faith chaplaincy for those in need of support.

What's on in the Area

Situated in some of the most beautiful countryside in England, Kent University is ideally located to enjoy the best the South-East has to offer. A mecca for watersport lovers, Whitstable is a short distance away, while East Kent has 120 miles of coastline for beach bunnies to enjoy. If sun, surf and sand don't float your boat, then Kent has a wealth of history to discover, including the oldest parish church in the UK. Plenty of parks and open spaces means Canterbury is a beautiful place to enjoy some of the best weather in the UK. The Eurotunnel terminal is also only 25 minutes away, making Calais a viable weekend alternative.

Moving On

The university's Careers Advisory Service promotes student employability by networking with employers and offering a range of placement opportunities. As part of the university's emphasis on overseas study, the Careers Service also provides thousands of opportunities to volunteer or work abroad.

Graduation from the university is conducted within Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the past, the university has been ranked by both The Times and Nuts magazine as having the most attractive students. Kent alumni include actor and comedian Alan Davies, the author Kazuo Ishiguro and Radio 4 presenter Fi Glover.

Is Kent University the place for you?

Kent offers an almost unparalleled combination of idyllic countryside living and foreign study opportunities. The pace of life is slow, however. If busy city-living is on your wish list, consider one of the London universities instead.