University of Kent

Deadlines are now spread throughout the year so that Christmas and Easter breaks are study-free for Kent students. The university listened to student feedback to bring in changes from September 2025 along with a three-term academic year instead of two. Timetables will be published well in advance to allow students to plan around work and family commitments and Kent has also pledged to keep one day a week free, eliminating any need for students to travel to campus for just one class.

Founded in the 1960s, Kent's original low-rise Canterbury campus is set on 300 acres and is one of Britain’s few collegiate universities. Kent is partnering with the University of Greenwich to create the London and South East University Group — a new “super-university” model bringing both institutions under one structure whilst enabling each university to retain its name, identity and local presence.

Its colleges are named after scholars like Darwin, Keynes, Turing and Woolf. Each has its own academic and residential facilities, serving as the social hub for students, especially in their first year. The university also benefits from its location in the student-friendly cathedral city of Canterbury.

What is the University of Kent’s reputation? 

Kent's strong performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) moved it up to 32= in our research quality index. The best performers were in architecture; classics; history; law; philosophy; social work and social policy; theology; and in music and drama. 

In the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), Kent was rated silver overall, losing its gold burnish from TEF 2017. The university achieved silver for student experience and outcomes. 

Kent has a stable history in our academic league table, never ranking lower than the mid-fifties since our first edition in 1998. This year it has dropped 16 places to rank 56th. 

Our latest analysis of the National Student Survey shows signs of discontent: Kent falls to 114=  for its students’ faith in teaching quality (down 32 places) and 107th for the wider student experience (down 35). 

Rounds of cost-cutting due to financial deficits — brought on in part by a sharp decrease in EU enrolments — might have dampened spirits on campus as the university seeks £20 million savings, alongside the closure of more than 50 undergraduate programmes across its Canterbury and Medway campuses, which Kent announced last year and which come into action from September 2025.

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What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

To better match future student demand, Kent is adapting its course portfolio. Programme closures from September 2025 include health and social care; music and audio technology; philosophy and religious studies; and several joint honours degrees. Anthropology, art history, English literature and journalism are also being phased out.

What are the University of Kent’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

For undergraduate degrees, the lowest entry criteria is CCC (96 UCAS tariff points) while the highest is AAB (136 points) for law. Contextual offers reduce standard requirements by up to 16 Ucas points (two grades). For entry in 2024, Kent received more than 20,200 applications but accepted just under 4,000 first-year students, 18 per cent through clearing.

What are the graduate prospects?

Kent holds more than 800 career-related events a year and works with both large employers and local small and medium-size enterprises. However, based on the percentage of graduates in highly skilled jobs or further study 15 months after leaving, Kent ranks 90=.

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What is the University of Kent’s campus like?

Recent developments include upgraded facilities for natural sciences and high-spec computing labs. Forensic science students can examine decomposition at a taphonomy site and develop fingerprints at a custom-made superglue fuming chamber. Architecture and planning students have also been given more studio space.

The Kent and Medway Medical School, a collaboration with Canterbury Christ Church University, opened in September 2020 and offered 118 places for 2025. The Medway campus, shared with other universities, houses Kent’s School of Pharmacy and the Centre for Music and Audio Technology, along with the refurbished Business School.

When can I visit?

kent.ac.uk

Everything you need to know about the University of Kent’s student life and wellbeing support

There are plenty of student-centric venues among Canterbury’s cobbled streets and the seaside charms of Whitstable and Margate are easily reached by public transport. During term time a free shuttle bus connects the campuses at Canterbury and Medway.

The popular Sports Centre on the Canterbury campus draws about 150,000 student visits a year to its gym and three sports halls, offering more than 70 weekly exercise classes and training areas for boxing and martial arts. Outdoors, there are pitches for rugby and football and Kent’s indoor tennis arena opened in 2020. Medway students have access to a local sports centre. 

As well as offering wellbeing services including counselling, Kent has targeted support for disabled and neurodivergent students and provides practical responses to the cost of living crisis, such as £3 meal deals and a campus pantry.

What do the students say?

“Kent is a fantastic place to study. The lecturers are an inspiring group, personable,  approachable and supportive. Get involved in clubs and societies, it’s a great way to make new friends.”
Felix 

What about student accommodation at the University of Kent?

There are 2,252 rooms on campus and 1,488 off campus. Kent guarantees a place to all first-years who apply by the June deadline.

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How diverse and inclusive is the University of Kent?

Ranking 71= overall in our social inclusion index, Kent is 31st for ethnic diversity.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Kent

The Kent Financial Support Package provides £1,000 per year to UK students from households with incomes up to £30,000 who meet widening participation criteria. Merit-based scholarships are also offered and benefited 1,447 students in 2025.