The University of Kent

The University of Kent is a public research university based in Canterbury, Kent. It was founded in 1965 and is a member of the Santander network of European Universities. The university came about through the desire to have a higher education facility in the ancient city of Canterbury. It was given its royal charter in 1965, with Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, becoming the first Chancellor.

Currently there are some 120 plus nationalities represented at the university and around 20% of the student body is from outside the UK. To help those coming from outside the country, the university runs a number of courses including in English language and foundation courses to assist in the transition. They also have an international students guide available through the website to help with preparation while there are both academic support facilities and persona support ones on offer once a student arrives. The latter is available through the Student Advice Centre and can help with matters such as visas and immigration paperwork. It also works alongside the UK Council for International Student Affairs. The heart of student life at the university is the Kent Union, the student union. It is run by five elected full-time officials as well as part time officers and volunteers. It runs two shops on the campus as well as the Parkwood bar called Woody’s, another called Rutherford bar and a nightclub called The Venue. While the university is secular, it has a strong chaplaincy within it, consisting of a full-time Anglican and Catholic priest as well as a Pentecostal minister and various part time chaplains from other faiths. Among the numerous organisations and clubs run by Kent Union are a number of student media outlets. These include a radio station, newspaper and TV station.

The main campus of the university is a 300 acre site just two miles from the centre of Canterbury. The main entrance to the campus is the Gulbenkian arts complex with its café bar serving as a meeting place for many students, visitors and staff. It is also the site of a monthly comedy night and other live performances. Other facilities on campus include an independent cinema, a new £1.5 million Sport Centre with tennis and squash courts, football and hockey pitches as well as a gym, dance studio and other features. In 2000, the university joined a scheme called the Universities for Medway, which led to the opening of the Mid-Kent College. The new campus has been extended and now caters to some 600 students. A third campus is found in the middle of Tonbridge, which is home to the Kent Business School and Kent Innovation and Enterprise. Student housing comes in a number of different forms. There is housing within the colleges as well as Parkwood, a mini student village made up from 262 two-storey houses as well as an apartment complex; all located around 10 minutes from the main campus. There are three blocks of residence halls at Tyler Court as well as 26 student houses beside Darwin College.

There are courses available from this university with the following field of studies:
• Biology and life sciences
• Health sciences
• History
• Literature and creative writing
• - Journalism
• - Music and composing
• Pharmacy and pharmacology
• Politics
• - Politics and International Relations
• Social sciences