Make connections that last

“One of the reasons I chose Kent was for its great facilities and the warm atmosphere in Colyer-Fergusson. My music scholarship means I can continue bassoon lessons. I’ve become more confident in my playing and I’m excited for all the music to come. A highlight of my first year was a production of Alice in Wonderland, in which I performed in a solo quartet with a full choir!”

Olivia Condliffe, History

Amazing, exciting, life-changing – that’s how our students describe Kent. Your university experience starts with your studies and expands as you get involved in societies, sports clubs and causes you believe in. You’ll be studying hard but there’ll be time to relax too; getting away from your books helps to create a balanced life, which can really benefit your studies. Make time to find your communities at Kent.

Does music matter to you?

Whatever you study, if you play an instrument or sing you can join in with our extra-curricular music activities. Become a member of our Chorus, Symphony Orchestra, Concert and Big Bands, Chamber Choir or one of the many other bands and ensembles.

You’ll rehearse and perform in the spectacular Colyer-Fergusson Building on the Canterbury campus. Alongside concerts each term, smaller events throughout the year provide plenty of opportunities for you to perform. If you’re at an advanced level, you can apply for a Music Performance Scholarship, worth up to £2,000, plus £500 worth of instrumental/singing tuition. Visit www.kent.ac.uk/music

Join a society

Student-run societies are a chance to try something new or continue a lifelong passion, and if you get involved in running one, you’ll develop lots of useful employability skills too.

Most subjects have a student-run society, they often host guest speakers, some offer peer study “I’m part of the drama society T24 and the Musical Theatre Society, MTS. Last year, I joined the T24 committee as Social and Welfare Secretary and I’m currently directing a show with MTS. I’ve met people from lots of different subject areas as, surprisingly, T24 is mostly made up of nondrama students! It’s just great to be around people who have similar interests.”

Abigail Shortland, Biological Anthropology

support and there’s always lots of social events. Societies that celebrate national cultures are popular too. Joining these is a great way to meet people from other countries, or to compare notes with friends from home. There are societies for just about everything: investment, a whole host of dance societies, a circus and a DJ society, all supported by Kent Union and The Hub, the student unions at Canterbury and Medway.

Get involved with college life

All students are members of a college. Your College and Community Life team organises events all year round which are a great way to meet students from other courses and other year groups.

Fitter, faster, stronger

Sport at Kent is for everyone. Whether you’re a member of one of our varsity teams or playing five-a-side with friends, we’ll support you.

Some of our sports clubs compete in university leagues and other competitions, holding trials each year. So, if you’re an accomplished player, watch out for those. Many clubs also welcome members regardless of ability – enthusiasm can take you a long way!

Even if you don’t see yourself as sporty, you may be tempted into action by our facilities at Canterbury: a fitness suite, indoor and outdoor tennis and netball pitches, and Astro and grass pitches. There are fitness classes too and people on hand to help you get started.

Nights out

The Gulbenkian arts centre on the Canterbury campus houses a cinema, a theatre and a cabaret space as well as a café. The Student Hub at our Medway campus houses the Deep End, a café bar and entertainment space. You can also have a great night out at the Venue nightclub on the Canterbury campus. Look out for quiz nights and society events, or eat out at one of our restaurants, which cater for a range of budgets and tastes, including vegetarian and halal.

“There is a nightclub on campus – living five minutes from a nightclub is great! The sports facilities are very good and I like going to the gym so that worked well for me. There are lots of cafés too, the Gulbenkian is a nice spot to catch up with friends.”

Maria Da Silva Perpetua, International Business with a Year in Industry

Creativity transforms lives

Kent’s Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries (ICCI) unites a diverse community of academics, art professionals, students and business leaders who believe that creativity can change the world.

We celebrate creativity in all its forms uniting cuttingedge technology, digital science and the arts. We deliver live events through our dynamic arts centre, supporting students, alumni, businesses, schools and regional creative industries. We offer opportunities to gain experience at creative events and to work with our associate artists, promoting relationships between academic research and the creative industries.

Whatever you study, we act as a beacon for how creativity can question, astonish and transform – across our campuses and the wider community.

The world on campus

At Kent, you’ll meet people from different backgrounds, of different ages and from different countries. With 152 nationalities on campus, the world is on your doorstep.

International community

If you’re coming to Kent from outside the UK, you’ll find a diverse and inclusive community. There’s lots of practical support to help you settle in, including trips to local attractions and a buddy scheme where you can chat to people from your home country.

Prudence Chikaka is from Zimbabwe and first found out about Kent from her brother. “I liked that it was a green campus with nice walks.” Of course, at times she missed home: “The best cure for homesickness is keeping busy. Spend time with your friends: watch movies at the campus cinema; Venue [the campus club] is good; and the students’ union organises lots of events. We took a day trip to Dover: it’s beautiful up on the white cliffs, we had a picnic up there.” As well as the friends you make, our international team provides help and support throughout your studies.

If you need to gain general study skills or improve your English language ability, you can take our International Foundation Programme (see p52). While studying, you can live in on-campus accommodation making it easy to take advantage of all our facilities. On successful completion you move on to the first year of your chosen degree and, if you want to continue to improve your English language skills, you can take advantage of our free English language lessons. Visit www.kent.ac.uk/ifp to find out more.

“Kent has a very international community. I’ve met people from all over the globe who have introduced me to different cultures, perspectives, opinions and experiences.”

Maria Lore Haag Cultural Studies and Media