University of Kent

Overview

The University of Kent’s original name was the University of Kent at Canterbury, reflecting the fact that the campus straddled the boundary between the county borough of Canterbury and Kent County Council. During the 1990s and 2000s, the University of Kent expanded beyond its original campus. It now has campuses in Medway, Tonbridge and Brussels, and works in partnership with Canterbury College, South Kent College and Mid-Kent College. Although the name University of Kent at Canterbury now only refers to the original campus, the abbreviation UKC is still heavily used by both students and alumni for the whole University.

Ranking

The 2009 Guardian Newspaper University League Tables (published in 2008) placed the University of Kent's ranking at 29th in the UK. While the Times Good University Guide 2009 (published in 2008) puts the University of Kent in 36th place. The Sunday Times University League Table (published in 2007) placed the University of Kent in 42nd place while the 2009 Complete University Guide published in association with The Independent newspaper (published in 2008) puts the University of Kent in 35th place nationally.

Services for International Students

The University of Kent’s International Office manages a small Overseas Hardship Fund - this fund is small and can only make small grants which are very much in the nature of emergency funds. It is not funding to cover fees or accommodation costs. Hardship Application forms can be obtained from the International Office and must be accompanied by bank statements and other supporting information. Any overseas student who has problems with the payment of fees or accommodation costs should, in the first instance, make an appointment to discuss their problems with the International Office. It is important to keep up a dialogue with the International Office if the imposition of supplementary charges is to be minimised or avoided. The International Office has special responsibility for Overseas Short-term students (not full degree students) from outside the EU so these students should keep in touch with the Office when they require assistance. Web site: www.kent.ac.uk/international Consult the Advice Centre at the Students' Union if you have visa renewal/problems.

Accommodation

The University of Kent’s Accommodation Office offers an information and advice service to assist students with housing before they arrive, and during their time studying at the University. The University of Kent has approximately 4,000 places for students to live in various different types of accommodation ranging from traditional Halls of Residence to five or six bedroom shared houses.

Campus

The University of Kent’s main Canterbury campus covers 300 acres and is in an elevated position just over two miles (3 km) from the city centre. It currently has approximately 11,000 full-time and 6,200 part-time students and some 600 academic and research staff.
In 2000 the University of Kent joined with other educational institutes to form the "Universities for Medway" initiative, aimed at increasing participation in higher education in the Medway Towns. The following year the University of Kent at Medway formally opened, initially based at Mid Kent College. By 2004 a new campus for the university had been established in the old Chatham Dockyard.

Health centre

There is a full range of on-campus health facilities at the University of Kent with doctors, nurses and dentists. All students have full access to the health centre and all health care fees are fully covered by the National Health Service for full-time students.

Location

The County of Kent is situated in the South East of England. The University of Kent sits on a hill over-looking the City of Canterbury and its world renowned Cathedral.
URL: www.kent.ac.uk