University of Kent

The University of Kent is a semi-collegiate public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom. The University was formerly known as the University of Kent at Canterbury established in 1965 when it was granted its royal charter. Princess Marine, the Duchess of Kent was the university’s first chancellor. The University’s main campus is located in Canterbury which has approximately 12,000 full-time and 6,200 part-time students and has the best teaching, study, and social facilities. The University also has a campus in Medway which is based in two sites- Pembroke and the Historic Dockyard Chatham, the campus has exceptional facilities. Besides these, the University also has centers in Brussels (The Brussels School of International Studies) and Paris (The Paris School of Arts and Culture).

The University of Kent offers a number of foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate degrees in fields such as architecture, media, social sciences, psychology, economics, etc. The University was divided into three faculties: Humanities, Science and Social Sciences which were further divided into 20 schools.

However, in 2020 the faculties were abolished and it was reorganized into 6 divisions:

• Division of Arts and Humanities
•  Division of Natural Science
•  Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
•  Kent Business School
• Division of Human and Social Sciences
•  Division for the study of Law, Society and Social Justice.

The University of Kent has about 20,100 students out of which 16% are international students. The student body represents about 157 nationalities and several events are held by the Kent international team throughout the year.

• The University of Kent was awarded a gold rating in the UK Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework.
• The University earned a spot in the top 10 for research intensity in The Complete University Guide 2021.
• The Research Excellence Framework(REF) found that 97% of research at the University was of international quality.
• The University offers academic and personal support to its students and ensures that they are all fairly treated.
• The education curriculum is designed in such a way that it imparts employability skills in students. A number of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships are available to international students.

The University of Kent is dedicated to increasing the employability of its students through career-focused degrees, internship opportunities, a career advisory service, and a number of extra-curricular activities to add to their CV. A wide range of industrial placements is available to students so that they can develop the necessary skills to handle real-world situations. The University’s Careers and Employability Service helps students gain relevant work experience and develop attributes that employers are looking for.

Some notable alumni of the University of Kent are:

• Gavin Esler (Scottish journalist, TV presenter, and author)
• Kazuo Ishiguro (British novelist, screenwriter, musician, and short story writer)
• Raychelle Omamo (Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Kenya)
• Ellie Goulding (English singer and songwriter)
• Abdulrazak Gurnah (Tanzanian novelist)

Student services:

At the University of Kent students are given opportunities to enhance their knowledge and learn new skills through curricular and co-curricular activities. Each school has an academic adviser to guide and assist students to increase their personal and academic development. The University also provides a range of job opportunities for its students. The Kent Students’ Union is run by students for students to represent and support students and to make sure that they have a good experience in the University.

Accommodation:

The University of Kent provides accommodation to its students, new first-year students are guaranteed a place in the University accommodation. At the Canterbury campus, students have many options to choose from- flats, studio apartments, or shared houses, most of which also provide catering services. Pier Quays is the accommodation option available to students in the Medway campus with en-suite rooms, spacious kitchens, and social spaces.

Medical services:

Students studying at the University of Kent can get treatment from the National Health Service wherein they would not have to pay to see a doctor, treatment, or any procedures. Students studying for less than 6 months, however, will not be able to register as a patient but will be seen as temporary patients. There is a Wellbeing team of counselors, mentors, and advisors available at the university to help students with any mental health issues.

Sports facilities:

There is a ‘sport for all’ philosophy at the university to make sure that students stay active and physically fit while also having fun. There is a dedicated sports development team with qualified instructors to help students. The University has a range of sports facilities like sports halls, fitness studios, artificial pitch, boxing and combat sports training areas, and many more which are available to students, staff, alumni, and the public.

Clubs:

The University of Kent has a number of sporting, performance, cultural, and other such interest groups or societies that students can be a part of. This enables the students to meet people with similar interests, make new friends, learn some new skills or join a fundraiser or charity to support some cause.