University of Kent

Overview

The University of Kent is a global university with outstanding teaching, modern facilities, award-winning student support and welcoming study locations. Over 18,000 students from 152 countries study across its two spacious UK campuses and specialist postgraduate centres in Europe.

Kent is ranked in the top 50 universities in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. In the same guide, three of its subjects are ranked in the top 10 (history of art, social policy, and social work), and eight subjects rank in the top 20 (anthropology, architecture, art and design, communications and media, German, law, linguistics and theology). Kent Business School is part of the 1% of top global institutions to gain 'Triple Crown' accreditation.

All of Kent’s academic schools produce world-class research. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, Kent was ranked top 20 for research intensity in the Times Higher Education, outperforming 11 of the 24 elite Russell Group universities. Because Kent academics are engaged in high-level research and teaching, you study with some of the most influential thinkers in your field.

Kent offers various foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate degrees, exciting study abroad and year-in-industry opportunities, and summer schools. Each year, Kent welcomes many international students studying various courses, including cyber security and artificial intelligence, business and management, law, psychology, and architecture.

Kent Scholarships

Kent offers a wide range of funding opportunities for international students looking to study undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the University of Kent. For undergraduate students have a number of general academic awards, including the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence worth £2000, and the International Scholarships worth £3000.

For postgraduate students, Kent has several subject-specific awards, including scholarships offered by the Kent Business School, the Kent Law School and the School of Psychology.

Services for International Students

The University of Kent’s Centre for English and World Languages offers English and other languages lessons for all students. These are available as standalone courses before the start of the term or as modules which can count towards a final degree. Each student is assigned a personal tutor to assist them academically or personally. There are also numerous international student societies, both general and country-specific.

Career support

The University of Kent is committed to ensuring its students have successful careers and provides the necessary experience and support to achieve this. All students have access to the institution’s award-winning personal and career support. The university runs a range of employment initiatives, including internships, voluntary opportunities, a careers and employability advisory service, Language Express, and JobShop. 

From the wide range of industry placements to Ken't sHub for Innovation and Enterprise, you have many opportunities to develop real-world skills, which will help you stand out from the competition and secure your dream job.

Great student experience

With the wide range of student societies, including sporting and international groups, whatever your interests, you’re likely to find something to be excited about. You could even establish your society. Various student events occur throughout the year, including several that the Indian Society organises. International student events hosted by the Kent international team occur during Welcome Week and throughout the year. For example, the Indian Society organises specific Holi, Diwali, and Bollywood parties, while the African-Caribbean Society aims to educate and promote African and Caribbean Culture to people of all ethnicities.

All Kent students have access to a wide range of personal support services. These include the Medical Centre on the Canterbury campus, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service, and a multi-faith Chaplaincy team. The university also provides comprehensive academic support facilities, including the Student Learning Advisory Service, which provides free study support and advice. 

Ranking

• 40th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 60th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• 380th in the QS World University Rankings 2025

The Guardian subject rankings also revealed strong performances in Architecture, Drama and dance, Economics, English and Creative Writing, Film Production and Photography, History of Art, Journalism, Politics, Religious Studies and theology, and Social Policy.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 has confirmed Kent as a leading research university, with most of its submissions rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Accommodation

New first year students who select Kent as their first choice are guaranteed a place in University accommodation. At the Canterbury campus, most rooms are en suite, and many offer catering options, while all postgraduate rooms are en suite and self-catered. Rooms are available as flats, studio apartments or shared houses in the nearby student village and are generally arranged in a collegiate system.

Rooms at the Medway Campus are all en suite and recently built, arranged in five to eight-person flats.

Location

The University of Kent has three campuses, two in the UK and one in Europe. The Canterbury campus is self-contained, providing a welcoming environment and a close-knit student community. Campus life revolves around six colleges, the Templeman Library, the Gulbenkian Arts Centre and the Mandela Building (home of Kent Union) – all set among green and tranquil open spaces. The campus is just a short 25-minute walk from Canterbury city centre. The city itself has a warm and friendly atmosphere. Explore medieval buildings, lively bars, atmospheric pubs and a wide range of shops. London is an hour away by high-speed train and the closest UK city to mainland Europe so that you can be in Paris, Brussels or Lille within two hours.

The second UK campus is Medway, a former naval base reinvented as a 21st-century study space with exceptional facilities and support. The campus is friendly and close-knit, with students from various backgrounds working and socialising. The Medway campus is close to the towns of Rochester and Chatham, with their fascinating histories, and part of the redeveloped Chatham Maritime area. Also, excellent transport links mean central London is less than an hour away.

Kent’s Paris School of Arts and Culture is a specialist postgraduate centre in one of the world's most culturally rich cities. The university offer advanced, flexible Master's programmes in the arts, including architecture, history of art, film, and creative writing. All courses are taught in English, and the modules focus on the city's vast heritage and culture.

Alumni

• Kazuo Ishiguro (Author)
• Tom Wilkinson OBE (Actor)
• Fu Ying (Vice Foreign Minister of China)
• Alas Davies (Comedian and Actor)
• Roys Poyiadjis (Entrepreneur)