A Guide for Parentsof International Students 2010 - University of Kent

A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 The UK’s European university

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

The University of Kent: a guide for parents Contents

Choosing a university is a big decision for all new students and their parents.

It is an exciting time and students are often thinking about everything from the social life to courses that they might enjoy studying. But as a parent or guardian, you probably have some questions of your own.

Your step-by-step guide

1 Choose a university 2 Choose a course Step 3 Find out more Step

Step

4 Apply for a course Step 5 Apply for accommodation Step 6 Making preparations Step 7 A warm welcome Step

For instance, which UK universities offer the best education? How does the application process work? Will your son or daughter find it easy to settle in? How much will it cost? What is life like at the University of Kent? What's the best way to keep in touch?

We aim to answer many of your questions in this parents’ guide to Kent. We take you through the most important steps, from choosing a course to graduation. And if you need some more information, we are happy to help. You can contact us by email, call us on the phone, or meet one of the team in person. Turn to page 36 for details.

8 University life 9 A family celebration!

Step 10 A successful future Step Step

2 4 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Fact file Kent at Canterbury

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Kent calendar

Kent at Medway

28

Welcome Week

Kent at Brussels or Paris

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Accommodation

30

Fees

33

Funding

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17 January – 8 April 2011

Contact the team

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Summer term

Travel to the University

37

20 September – 26 September 2010

Autumn term 27 September – 17 December 2010

Spring term

9 May – 17 June 2011

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

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Choose a university

1 The teaching

2 The people

3 The place

British universities have a great reputation and most employers will be impressed by a UK degree. So how do you choose from the many universities the UK has to offer?

Making new friends is what helps any student to feel at home. It’s important for a university to be friendly and have a pleasant atmosphere.

For international students, location is important.

Where is the nearest airport? Are there good international rail links? What is the local area like?

Kent’s international students rate us highly for being a friendly, safe and welcoming place.

We have a cosmopolitan atmosphere – 25% of our new students come from overseas. And we help them settle in by putting on special events (see page 17).

The University of Kent is well placed to allow travel to other countries. All of our campuses are close to international travel links and this makes it easy to explore Europe, or get home in the vacation – see page 37 for more details.

One way is to look at independent surveys.

The most reliable ones are carried out by the UK government. Here is how Kent fared: • Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) For research, Kent is in the top 15%. It came 24th out of 159 universities in the UK. • National Student Survey (NSS) Kent achieved 87% for student satisfaction, putting us in the top 17% of UK universities.

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We also have an range of clubs and sports facilities so our students find it easy to meet people with similar interests – see pages 27 -29.

Our UK campuses are close to London in the south-east of the UK with its mild climate and green countryside. We also have locations in Brussels and Paris. See pages 27 -29 for details.

A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

4 The support

5 The accommodation

6 The future

For peace of mind, you want to be convinced that the university has good support services and can deal with any problems.

For many parents, accommodation is a priority.

It needs to be clean, safe, comfortable and available at a reasonable price.

When your son or daughter leaves university what does the future hold? While they are studying are they also preparing for success in their chosen career?

Kent has an International Office and a European Office. Their advisors have a wealth of experience and can help with many queries, including visa enquiries. But that's not all.

At Kent, we make life easy. International students at Kent’s UK campuses can spend the first year in university accommodation.

Our rooms are modern and specially designed for student life – see page 13 for more details.

Students at Kent also have access to religious and spiritual support, study support, medical facilities, IT support, careers advice, English language tuition and help to find volunteering or work opportunities. See pages 27-29 for details.

Our UK campuses also have excellent catering facilities – with restaurants serving healthy food at reasonable prices and offering options such as halal food.

At Kent, our students gain the skills that are needed in the world of work. They are encouraged to gain work experience as part of their studies and are able to get careers advice and help in applying for jobs.

After leaving Kent, they become part of a successful graduate network with professional links around the world. See page 23 for details.

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Choose a course

At Kent we offer degrees in a huge range of subjects. We also offer many levels of tuition to suit the needs of all students.

Kent has a reputation for excellent teaching. All of our courses are of a high standard and there is a wide choice of subjects. Within many of our degrees we also offer extra options such as work experience or the chance to study in another country.

Study in another country Many degrees at Kent offer students the chance to study in another country as well as the UK. This is standard within a language degree (French, German, Hispanic Studies or Italian) where the teaching is in the language studied.

It is also possible to go to a country where the teaching is in English – we have partners in many countries including Finland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Japan and the United States.

A year in industry Undergraduate degrees Students taking their first degree at Kent will be studing for what is called an ‘undergraduate degree’ or ‘bachelor degree’. Kent has a wide variety to choose from. Here are some things to think about when choosing an undergraduate degree.

Kent has good links with international employers and many of our degrees offer a year in industry which can be taken in the UK or another country.

Our students have gained experience with global companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Intel and British Airways.

Length of study An interesting subject It is important for students to pick a subject that they are going to find enjoyable. This can make their studies more interesting which helps them to be successful students and get a good degree.

Most standard degrees at Kent take three years to complete. Degrees with a year in industry, or a year studying in another country (see above) take four years.

If a student can't decide between two subjects, it is often possible to combine them in a joint degree, widening their studies.

If a student wants to come and study at Kent for a shorter period of time, there are speciallydesigned programmes for them (see Junior Year Abroad on page 6).

Career options

Location

When thinking about a future career, it is useful to focus on the skills that the course is likely to offer. These could include communication skills, skills in analysis, computing skills, foreign languages, scientific expertise, business or financial knowledge, or an understanding of society and politics.

Our undergraduate degrees are based on campus at Canterbury or Medway. Both are in the southeast of England and close to London. For details of the facilities on offer, see pages 27-28.

These skills can provide entry into a range of careers. Also some degrees, such as accountancy, computing, law, sports therapy and many more, give students specialised professional skills.

Entry requirements Entry requirements vary for different degree subjects. To find out how our entry requirements relate to the education system in your own country, see www.kent.ac.uk/international/country If your son or daughter wants to study a degree at Kent but does not have the entry qualifications,

we offer courses that can help. (See Foundation programmes and English language courses, page 6).

More information There are many ways to get more information on courses, including our website at www.kent.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate See pages 8-9 for the selection of information and advice that Kent has to offer.

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

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Choose a course (cont)

Other programmes Foundation programmes A foundation programme provides the entry requirements for an undergraduate degree.

Students learn about their academic subject, develop study skills and have tuition, if needed, to develop their English language skills.

Passing the programme means the student is guaranteed a place on their chosen course at Kent.

English language courses Our degree courses require a certain level of English language skills. If these are not already present, we can help students to gain these skills. Kent offers short courses known as Pre-sessional Courses in English for Academic Purposes.

Students arrive early at Kent and take an intensive English course that lasts for 19 weeks, 12 weeks or six weeks. Providing they pass this course, students then join their chosen degree programme.

Junior Year Abroad At undergraduate level, students may come to study at Kent for part of their degree. This is called a Junior Year Abroad and allows overseas students to join a course at Kent for a year (or sometimes for a semester).

These studies at Kent count towards the student's final degree results and can also lead to a diploma from the University of Kent. This allows the student to gain a UK qualification.

For those students who do not have a high standard of English, a JYA English PLUS degree is a good option. This combines English language tuition with academic studies at undergraduate degree level.

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

Choosing a postgraduate degree If your son or daughter already has an undergraduate degree and wants to go on to a higher level of study, we have an excellent range of postgraduate degrees.

For a career at a higher level, having a postgraduate degree is often vital. When choosing a course, it's important to look at two things. What knowledge will be gained on the course? What skills is the course is likely to develop? How will these be of benefit to the student's future career.

Here are some things to bear in mind when choosing a postgraduate degree at Kent.

Academic reputation The reputation of the academic staff is extremely important at postgraduate level. At Kent our teaching is informed by world-leading research.

Eight of our subject areas are in the UK’s top ten.

Overall, Kent is rated in the top 15% of UK universities (RAE 2008).

Taught or research There are two types of postgraduate degree – taught and research.

• In a taught degree, students follow a standard path of study. The teaching comes from lectures, group discussions, sessions with a tutor and, for some courses, practical workshops.

• Most research degrees focus on independent study. Every student works on a personal research project under the guidance of a supervisor who is an expert in the field.

Students receive training in research methods, attend conferences and perform research using our library and IT resources.

Length of study

Entry requirements

Students on a taught Master's degree (MA or MSc) usually study for 12 months. These courses usually start in September.

A good undergraduate degree is needed (or a qualification at a similar level). Many postgraduate degrees build on the knowledge gained within an undergraduate degree. However it may be possible to take a taught programme in a completely new subject. Please check individual courses for details.

Students taking a research degree register at Master’s level (MA or MSc) to begin with and may then progress to an MPhil or a PhD (Doctorate).

At Kent it is possible to gain a PhD in just three years of study. The programme may start in September or at other times of year.

Location We offer postgraduate degrees at our locations in Canterbury, Medway, Brussels and Paris. For more details on locations, please see pages 27-29.

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Find out more

There are many ways to find out more about a course. Here are some of the most useful options.

Visit our website The University of Kent has a website that is designed to help international students with all kinds of queries and also has links to a video tour.

The video takes you around the university locations in Canterbury, Medway and Brussels.

It also talks to students, academics and support staff. See www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent 8

Talk to Kent staff It's often useful to talk to an advisor. You may have questions that you want to ask about our courses or about life as a student. At Kent we aim to give families all the support they need and have two special teams to help. • The International Office gives advice to students and their families from outside the European Union. The European Office gives advice to students and their families from any country within the European Union

Both teams have a wealth of experience. You can meet them at fairs and exhibitions. You can also contact the offices by email or telephone. See page 36 for details.

Visit the UK If possible, it is useful to visit the University.

We have special Open Days and Visit Days, or you can arrange your own visit. For options, see page 36.

A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

Read all about it The publications listed below are available online and many can also be sent to you by post by going to www.kent.ac.uk and clicking on ‘Order a prospectus’.

All courses Our International Student Guide is for overseas students on any kind of course. You can download a copy from www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent or order a copy by post.

Undergraduate degrees Kent’s Undergraduate Prospectus is available online at www.kent.ac.uk/studying/undergrad or order a printed copy by post. For details on a particular degree subject at Kent see: www.kent.ac.uk/studying/undergrad/subjects/pdfs Short-term study Our Study Abroad and JYA Guide has details on short-term programmes at undergraduate level (Junior Year Abroad) See www.kent.ac.uk/studying/short-term or order by post.

Foundation programmes Foundation Programmes is a guide to the courses that provide the entry qualifications for an undergraduate degree. See www.kent.ac.uk/studying/foundation or order by post.

Postgraduate degrees The Graduate Prospectus is for all postgraduate students. It provides information on degrees, facilities and practical information. See www.kent.ac.uk/studying/postgrad or order by post.

Brussels School of International Studies provides information on studying at our campus in Brussels. See www.kent.ac.uk/brussels/ or order by post. University of Kent in Paris provides information on studying at our centre in Paris. See www.kent.ac.uk/studying/where/paris/ or order by post

In your own country If you want to talk to someone from your own country (who speaks your native language) we have official representatives in many countries around the world. These advisors can also help you with course enquiries, the application process and with any visa queries. For details, see page 36.

English language tuition Pre-sessional Courses in English for Academic Purposes has details on English language courses. See www.kent.ac.uk/secl/elu/courses/presessional/ or order a leaflet by post.

Opportunities for Work and Study Abroad For details, see www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad/ or order a leaflet by post.

Accommodation at Kent 2010 For details, see www.kent.ac.uk/accommodation or order a leaflet by post.

Welcome Guide Our Welcome Guide provides advice on preparing to study in the UK and what happens during the first few weeks after arrival. See www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent/afterapply 9

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

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Apply for a course

How do students make an application?

When do they need to apply? Here we talk you through the basics of the process.

Undergraduate degrees In the UK we have a national application system called UCAS. Students choose up to five university courses in the UK that they are interested in and then apply by completing the form at www.ucas.com/apply • Students from the European Union should apply by 15 January 2010.

• Students from outside the European Union should aim for 15 January 2010 to be sure of consideration. However, if places are left, Kent may consider applications up to 30 June 2010.

If the application is successful, the student receives an offer from Kent. There are two types of offers. An ‘unconditional offer’ means that the student has been given a place on the course.

A ‘conditional offer’ is based on conditions, such as examination results.

Late applications are also possible. A process called ‘clearing’ takes place in August 2010.

During clearing Kent lists all of the degrees that still have places left and this can give students another chance to apply.

Foundation degrees This process of application and the deadlines are the same as for an undergraduate degree (above).

In some countries, the overseas representatives can make an application on a student's behalf.

See www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent

Postgraduate degrees Students should apply using our online form at www.kent.ac.uk/studying/postgrad Often the University requires documents such as certificates and references. These should to be sent at the same time as the online application.

There is no fixed deadline but applications should be as early as possible to be sure that places are still available. Students need to leave time to apply for visas (if needed). They also need to have an offer of a place in order to apply for university accommodation by the deadline of 31 July.

Short-term study For the Junior Year Abroad, the deadline for applications is 30 June 2010.

For JYA English PLUS, the deadline for applications is 15 February, 2010.

To apply, the student needs certificates of examination results, a personal statement, as well as the agreement of the home university. Some home universities prefer to make the application for the student via its own ‘study abroad’ office.

If this is not in place, students make their own application via www.kent.ac.uk/studying/short-term

English language tuition Kent offers several Pre-sessional Courses in English for Academic Purposes. For all these courses it is recommended that students apply as soon as possible. Final application deadlines for the courses starting in 2010 are as follows: • 19-week course, apply before Monday 5 April.

• 12-week courses, apply before Monday 24 May. • Six-week courses, apply before Monday 5 July.

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Apply for accommodation

If your son or daughter is coming to study in the UK, you don't need to worry about finding accommodation.

International students who plan to study at Canterbury or Medway are offered a room in University accommodation for their first year of study. Students taking a foundation year are offered accommodation for their first two years of study.

This makes moving to the UK a simple process.

When your son or daughter arrives at the beginning of their course, they can move in straightaway. Students don’t have to share bedrooms – they can all have their own modern room with a study desk and free internet access.

All students can do laundry using the washing machines and dryers available within the university facilities. Students are also responsible for cleaning their own living areas. For full details, see page 30.

Undergraduate students at Canterbury have a choice of accommodation to choose from. The main options to consider are: • Some rooms have their own bathroom; others have a shared bathroom.

• Some rooms are in self-contained apartments (or houses) with a shared kitchen for cooking.

Others do not have a kitchen but come with a 'meal allowance' and a 'kitchenette' where students can make snacks and hot drinks.

• Length of stay can vary. Will your son or daughter be able to travel home for the winter and spring vacations? If this is not possible, you need to choose accommodation that lasts for the full academic year (39 weeks).

Postgraduate students at Canterbury have accommodation in newly-built shared appartments, available for 51 weeks of the year.

At Medway, there are shared apartments. Each room has its own bathroom and each apartment has a shared kitchen.

have the offer of a place at Kent. Students can apply for university accommodation online at www.kent.ac.uk/accommodation/

How to apply

Paris and Brussels

When your son or daughter is offered a place at Kent, full details of accommodation are provided.

It is possible to ask for single-sex living quarters, but a request must be made as early as possible.

Students in Paris and Brussels live in private rented accommodation. They will receive help in finding something suitable. Please see page 29 for details.

Undergraduate students should apply for accommodation as soon as they have a 'conditional' or 'unconditional' offer. Postgraduate students can apply for accommodation once they

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Making preparations

What kind of preparations do students need to make? Here are some suggestions to help the process.

Before their arrival at Kent, students receive regular advice on what they to do to prepare for their trip. The most important aspects of this are listed below:

Apply for funding This is a good time to consider possible funding.

We have a range of scholarships available for talented students, who are doing well in their studies, or at music or sport. See page 35 for details.

Set up a bank account Most students will want to set up a UK bank account. This can take up to two weeks and some students prefer to start the process in their home country. They receive detailed instructions on how to do this within the Welcome Guide (see right).

Book welcome services Students coming to study at Canterbury or Medway can pre-book our welcome events and our airport collection service (for those arriving at Heathrow or Gatwick).

Advance payment We have an online facility that allows students to pay for tuition fees and accommodation in advance and get a 2% discount. For details of the various payment options, please refer to the Welcome Guide (see right) or see www.kent.ac.uk/finance-student

Apply for a visa Students who are not of European Union nationality may need a student visa to study in the UK. It’s important to make sure there’s enough time for the application to be processed – see www.ukvisas.gov.uk for more details.

Students who are not of European Union nationality need to bring the following to the UK: • University of Kent official letter of acceptance • accommodation agreement • a valid passport with any necessary visas • health documents, if applicable • financial guarantee document.

Prepare documentation The University can provide advice on many aspects of preparing the documentation that students need to bring to the UK.

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Students who are of European Union nationality need to bring the following with them to the UK: • University of Kent official letter of acceptance • accommodation agreement • a valid passport (no visa is needed).

A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

• Clothes and laundry: £10 to £30 per week.

• Social life – £20 to £55 per week.

• Mobile phones: £5 to £15 per week for UK calls Students can choose from a range of mobile phone companies in the UK. The cost of international calls varies according to the country – many students prefer to stay in touch with home using the internet service Skype (see page 18).

• Television: £2.74 per week. This is needed for students who wish to have their own television set or watch live television on their computer.

• Insurance – up to £5 per week. We recommend that students insure their valuables such as laptops, television and mobile phones. This can be organised on arrival.

• Books and study materials: £10 to £15 per week.

• Other costs – Students should allow £5 to £15 per week for irregular or unplanned costs.

• Local travel. Most students spend up to £10 per week on local travel close to the University.

• Travel home for the vacations.

To help you work out a personal budget, we provide an online calculator at www.kent.ac.uk/finance-student/livingcosts.html

Things to pack

Planning a budget

Students need to bring a range of clothing with them, including some warm clothing. Some students also like to bring their own laptop, which gives them the option to study in their room.

At this stage it's worth planning a budget – here is a rough guide to what a typical student at Kent spends per week.

Please bear in mind that whatever students need – including household items – can be purchased close to any of our University locations. This reduces the weight of luggage and makes travel easier. Valuable items should be covered by travel insurance.

• Food: £20 to £55 per week.

There are many good value food outlets on campus, selling meals and snacks. Students who have cooking facilities can also buy food at the local supermarkets or from the campus shop. Please note some University of Kent accommodation includes a meal allowance to use on campus. See page 30 for details.

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

7 A warm welcome The first few weeks at University are all about making new friends, exploring the area and starting on a course of study. Here is what a student can expect.

Kent is a wonderful place to study and arriving at the University is always an exciting experience. We help our new students to meet friends, start their new course and make practical arrangements.

Welcome Week To help students settle into the UK, we hold a special Welcome Week in September. This takes place before the term’s lectures and seminars start so they have time to relax and meet other people.

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International Student

The Welcome Week includes a greeting at the airport. We also hold a special dinner for international students and take them on trips to see local tourist attractions. During this week there are also campus tours, themed evenings and sporting activities for all students. There are also lots of student volunteers and staff on hand to help them.

For students whose programmes start in January or May, we also provide welcome events.

Beginning their studies Academic schools often host events to prepare students for their course. Reading lists and timetables are given out and there are library tours and introductions to the computing facilities.

Our courses are carefully designed to start at the right pace for students. However, if a student has any problems it is easy to ask for help: the teaching style at Kent is friendly and approachable.

Practical matters

Shopping and banking

Students are guided through all of the practical things they need to do. These range from getting their student card to picking up their room keys.

If students have any problems, they simply ask a member of staff or one of the student helpers for advice.

Students may also need to set up a bank account.

This can take up to two weeks, but we don't advise students to travel with large amounts of cash.

Travellers' cheques are more practical and can be cashed at local banks.

All of the Kent locations have local shopping centres close to the university. This gives students the option to buy household goods on arrival.

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University life

Here is a quick guide to life at university and some good ways to stay in touch.

Once the students have settled in, what happens next? For most students, life is busy and exciting with many new things to learn and enjoy.

English tuition While studying in the UK, students can have up to two hours of free English lessons a week (if English is not their first language). Our language support received a very high rating of 90% satisfaction in a recent i-graduate International Student Barometer survey.

Social life Studying at Kent Undergraduates have lectures as well as group sessions with a tutor. These can be discussions or practical workshops. Students are marked on a mix of written work, practical work and examinations at the end of the year. The marks that they get in the first year of their degree do not count towards their final results.

Students on a taught postgraduate course have small group discussions, lectures, sessions with a tutor and, for some courses, practical workshops.

Students are marked on their written or practical work, and sometimes have an examination.

Postgraduate students taking a research degree start work on their project under supervision.

Students receive training, attend conferences and do independent research into their subject.

Study support All students at Kent have a personal tutor who can help them if they have any problems. There is also a Student Learning Advisory Service for extra tuition on everything from research skills to writing essays, preparing for exams and presentation skills.

There are plenty of places to make new friends.

All of our campuses offer a range of student societies – there are over 100 societies at our Canterbury campus covering everything from music to current affairs. See www.kentunion.co.uk for more details. All of our campuses also have good sports facilities and sports teams that students can get involved in.

Meeting students from home One way we support our international students is by setting up mail-groups so that they can contact other students from their home country. societies for students from specific countries.

Religious practices Kent has chaplains from the Anglican, Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Methodist, Pentecostal and Quaker traditions. In addition Kent’s student societies often celebrate a wide range of cultural festivals such as Chinese New Year, Thanksgiving and Diwali.

Keep in touch!

Most students have mobile phones. These are useful for sending text messages but can be expensive for making international calls, so choose a package carefully. The main providers in the UK are Vodaphone, Orange, Virgin, T-Mobile, and O2. However there are also smaller companies that can offer good deals on calls to a specific country.

Students can also use one of the many public telephones on campus. They can pay for the call using cash, credit card, or telephone cards (which they can buy at the campus shop).

All students are given a email account and this is often an excellent way to keep in touch.

Another possibility is Skype – a free service for those who have access to the internet. If both computers have speakers you can talk to each other; if both computers have webcam you can see each other as well.

The KentOne card The KentOne card can be used instead of cash on campus. It can be topped up with money by using an online facility and this gives you a way to get funds to your son or daughter. The card allows students to purchase goods from the campus shop or from the restaurants, cafes and bars across campus.

Part-time work Some students boost their funds by taking on part-time work. At Canterbury and Medway, our Jobshops can help them find work on the campus or in the local area.

Career advice At Kent we have a Careers Advisory Service that can provide expert advice on the international job market. Its services are free to all of our students.

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A family celebration!

When the hard work is over and your son or daughter has gained their degree, we give you the chance to celebrate in style.

Getting a degree is a great achievement and is cause for celebration. Most of our students get excellent degree results, so they can look to the future with confidence.

All students who take part in the ceremony are given two guest tickets. This gives you the chance to be there to celebrate with your son or daughter.

Impressive setting Kent is famous for its graduation ceremonies. Few universities can rival the grandeur of our settings: the ceremonies are held in Canterbury Cathedral or Rochester Cathedral (in Medway). During the ceremony, each graduate processes through the cathedral and picks up a degree certificate.

After the ceremony After the official ceremony there are events held on campus so you have the chance to meet your son or daughter's friends as well as their lecturers.

Most families also like to have a professional photograph taken while the student is wearing their traditional academic robe.

Keeping in touch Most graduates have happy memories of their time at Kent. They often make friends from around the world and keep in touch with them long after the graduation ceremony.

Our graduates also keep in touch with other Kent graduates through our special reunion events. During 2009, Kent held events in the UK, Greece, USA, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. See www.kent.ac.uk/alumni/ for details.

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10 A successful future We prepare our students for success by developing the right skills and a confident approach to life.

An education from Kent is a passport into many careers and can make a big difference to your son or daughter's future.

Our employment record is excellent. Only 4.8% of Kent undergraduate students were without a job or study opportunity six months after getting their degree. This puts us well ahead of the UK average which is 8%.

Professional experience

An international education

Kent encourages students to gain work experience. Many of our degrees offer a paid year in industry or a shorter work placement, which may be in the UK or another country. Students are given support in gaining and required language skills and in finding the work placement.

Employers value the added confidence that comes from spending time abroad and a British qualification is highly regarded around the world. Employers also value skills in English – the language of international business. A recent i-graduate survey showed that most international employers prefer a graduate with overseas work experience.

We have good links with leading international companies such as Sun Microsystems in the USA. Language students often take work placements as teaching assistants in countries such as Spain or France.

Another survey showed that 97.2% of Kent’s postgraduate students found a job or further study opportunity within six months.

Students also gain experience within our own award-winning clinics. These include the Kent IT Clinic, the Sports Injury Clinic and the Kent Law Clinic. There are also many volunteer roles offered via Kent Union Volunteering.

Here are some of the ways we help our students to develop the right skills and make good career plans.

Working in the UK

Career-focused All of our teaching helps students to gain useful skills for their future career. We focus on good communication as well as the ability to think independently. Academic departments can often provide advice on specialist career paths. We also have a Careers Advisory Service that can provide expert advice on the international job market.

After graduation, students may want to work for a period of time in the UK. There are many work opportunities in Britain and this can help to get their careers off to a good start.

Students from the European Union are able to work in the UK for an unlimited period of time.

Students from outside the European Union are able to work in the UK on a post-study work scheme. For more details, see www.ukcisa.org.uk or you can email queries to our Student Advice Centre at advice@kent.ac.uk

In addition, many of the degrees at Kent offer the chance to study in another country as well as the UK. Graduates with this wide international experience are extremely attractive to employers.

Kent’s graduate network Kent graduates have a strong sense of loyalty to the University and many of them choose to stay in touch by going to our graduate events that are held around the world.

These events provide a professional network, allowing Kent graduates to meet each other and make new business contacts. The shared experience of studying at Kent creates a community and open doors around the world.

For more details see www.kent.ac.uk/alumni/

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

Fact file • Kent at Canterbury • Kent at Medway • Kent at Brussels or Paris • Accommodation • Fees • Funding • Contact the team • Travel to the University

iversity The UK’s European Un ean to Europ • Kent has easy access Brussels. and is Par as h suc es citi

g European • Kent has been runnin years. exchanges for over 20 ortunities to study • Kent offers many opp are the only UK We e. rop or work in Eu tre in Brussels. cen university in have a

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

Fact file: Kent at Canterbury Canterbury is a beautiful and safe city with a rich heritage and vibrant culture. It’s home to the world-famous Canterbury Cathedral which attracts millions of tourists every year.

With medieval buildings alongside modern shopping and entertainment, the atmosphere in the city is friendly and almost half of its residents are students.

Facilities The Canterbury campus is part of the city but has its own extensive grounds. This gives students the best of both worlds: wide green spaces on campus with a stunning view of the Cathedral, as well as a city centre that’s only a 25-minute walk away. There is also frequent bus service between campus and the city centre.

Campus life is ideal for international students as it provides a self-contained environment with everything in one place. The result is a safe and memorable living experience. Students can enjoy the cinema and theatre and a range of restaurants and bars. The campus is also home to banks and shops and an award-winning nightclub, which is only open to students and University staff.

Safety The city of Canterbury has an excellent reputation for a low incident of crime and the campus itself is very safety-minded. For instance our Campus Watch service means that a member of staff is always available, 24 hours a day to deal with any safety problems or to simply accompany a student on a walk home from the library at night. The Independent newspaper has described Canterbury as the ‘safest student city in the UK’.

Societies

Support

Kent Student Union has over 100 student societies.

Many are for international students, such as the Afro-Caribbean, Asian, Chinese, German, Hellenic and Japanese societies. See www.kentunion.co.uk for more details.

The campus offers a high level of support. Staff from the International and European Offices can help with all kinds of queries. Kent Student Union runs an advice service providing immigration and visa guidance and has a Jobshop that can help students find part-time work. The campus has a Student Learning Advisory Service that provides support in study skills and an English Language Unit that provides English language tuition.

Travel A huge bonus for students is that the city is close to London – the new high-speed train service takes only 60 minutes.

In the UK, Kent is the closest university to mainland Europe. If students want to visit Paris or Brussels, they can catch a Eurostar train and be there in about two hours. It’s also easy to get across the Channel by ferry and to other international locations by flying from one of the London airports.

All medical needs are covered. There’s an on-site medical centre and pharmacy where students can register with a UK doctor who provides free medical care during their stay. Kent employs its own counsellors and nurses.

Sport The campus has a gym, dance studio, badminton, tennis and squash courts, all-weather football pitches and basketball. There are a huge range of sports societies and teams, so students can develop their skills in whichever sport they wish.

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A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

Fact file: Kent at Medway Our Medway campus has won several design awards. The older buildings were once part of a British naval base and this makes the campus a stunning location with grand buildings such as the Drill Hall Library and the Pilkington Building.

Medway students enjoy a modern study environment with hi-tech facilities. For instance, there’s a recording studio for those studying music technology, a fully equipped radio and TV newsroom for our trainee journalists, and a special design studio for those taking degrees in event design.

Location The campus is close to the River Medway and the Historic Dockyard with a riverside pub a short walk away. Our student accommodation is also by the river in an attractive new development.

Travel The campus is close to central London: trains from Ebbsfleet take 17 minutes and trains from Chatham take 45 minutes. If students want to explore Paris or Brussels, the Eurostar train from Ebbsfleet can be there in about two hours.

Airports are easily reached by road or rail – see the inside back cover for details. The town centre of Chatham is a short bus ride away.

Social life There is a strong sense of community on campus and most students find it easy to make friends.

The range of societies and clubs on offer include the Afro-Caribbean Society, Asian Society, Bangladeshi Society, Irish Society, Islamic Society, Sikh Society and Spanish Society. Annual events include the Summer Ball, which is held at a large local venue.

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There are several cafés and restaurants on campus, as well as a student bar. Nearby is a multi-screen cinema. The local town of Chatham provides entertainment such as live music and a comedy club.

Sport The University has a wide range of sports societies – everything from table tennis to ladies’ football. Being close to the river means that many students also take part in activities such as rowing, canoeing and sailing.

For those who want to join a gym, the nearby Medway Park has a fitness suite and a spa, and offers special rates to our students. Facilities include a swimming pool and an athletics track, as well as several sports halls. Medway Park facilities are all built to high standards – the Park is to be used by teams for training in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.

A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

Fact file: Kent at Brussels or Paris Kent is known as the ‘UK’s European university’ and our locations in Paris and Brussels put us at the heart of continental Europe.

Brussels Brussels is a major power centre and often called the ‘capital of Europe’. Brussels is home to the European Parliament, the European Commission and NATO. This means that the city attracts international NGOs, multinational corporations, as well as a range of diplomats, lobbyists and ‘think-tanks’.

Kent is the only UK university to have a campus in this important international city. All of our courses in Brussels are related to the study of international affairs. The courses are at postgraduate level in areas such as law, politics, social policy and migration. Our lecturers have a network of professional contacts within the city and this can be useful to students who aim to take on an internship in Brussels.

Location The University’s centre in Brussels is a 15-minute drive from the centre of the city and there are also metro, bus and tram links. It’s easy to reach other European cities: Paris and London are about two hours by train. Brussels has a major airport.

Social life Brussels has a close-knit group of students from over 50 countries around the world. The University has its own study facilities and students are able to use the libraries, bars, cafes, entertainment and sports facilities of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Paris

Location

Paris is a leading city for European culture. It offers many events and attractions as well as libraries, museums and art galleries. All our courses in Paris are at postgraduate level (Master’s) and are related to the study of literature and the visual arts. Students divide their time between Paris and our Canterbury campus. All teaching is in English by staff from the University of Kent.

Our Paris centre is located in the beautiful area of Montparnasse in central Paris. It’s easy to reach other European cities from Paris: Brussels and London are about two hours by train. Paris has a major airport.

Social life Teaching is based at Reid Hall, a building with beautiful courtyards and interiors. It is shared with New York’s Columbia University and holds its own events. Students can also enjoy the city’s cinema, art, literature and drama.

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Fact file: Accommodation Canterbury

Undergraduate shared house or apartment

Students enjoy living on our Canterbury campus – it’s in a beautiful green location and has everything within easy walking distance – laundry rooms, shops, restaurants and bars, a theatre and cinema as well as a sports centre.

Students share a house or apartment with other students. Each has its own fully equipped kitchen, so they can cook their own food or eat out on campus – it’s their choice. These houses or apartments are let for the entire academic year (39 weeks), so they can stay there during the winter and spring vacations. Each room in an apartments has it's own bathroom. Houses have a shared bathroom.

Our campus accommodation comes in a range of styles, from college rooms to shared houses. All rooms have a free internet connection.

All international students at Medway are offered University accommodation for their first year of study. To qualify, students need to apply by the deadline given in their offer pack.

Accommodation for further years of study may also be available. Students who prefer to live off campus in their first year of study, should contact the Accommodation Office for advice.

Brussels All international students at Canterbury are offered a single room in University accommodation for their first year of study. Those on a Foundation Programme, are offered University accommodation for both the foundation year and the first year of a degree. To qualify, students need to apply by the deadline given in their offer packs.

Undergraduate room Some rooms have a shared kitchen so students can prepare their own food if they wish. Others have access to a 'kitchenette' with a kettle, microwave and small fridge. Breakfast is included in the price (or students can have an allowance towards an evening meal). For other catering, students can use the restaurants on campus that provide good-value snacks and cooked meals.

Some rooms are only available during term-time (31 weeks); this means that the rent does not cover the winter and spring vacations. Others are available for the full academic year (39 weeks). If students are at Kent for a short-term study programme, they are rented a room for the period of their stay.

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Postgraduate shared apartment Postgraduate students are offered a place in Woolf College, a brand new development. Each room has its own bathroom. Rooms are arranged in flats with six or eight students per flat and a large shared kitchen. The College has its own social facilities and launderette. The rooms are rented for almost the entire year (51 weeks). Postgraduate students who need accommodation for a shorter period of time should contact our Accommodation Office.

Kent does not offer University accommodation in Brussels but there are many private rental options.

Students usually find a place to live shortly after their arrival. Studio apartments with all charges included (water, electricity, gas, tenant charges) cost around €400-500 per month. A one-bedroom apartment with all charges included is around €500-600. Students who arrange flat-shares are often able to find something at a lower cost.

For details, see www.kent.ac.uk/brussels/studying/arriving/

Private accommodation In the second year of study, most undergraduate students rent private accommodation. Usually they share houses; 2009 prices were roughly £70 to £85 a week (excluding bills). Those who prefer to live off campus in their first year of study should contact Kent’s Accommodation Office for advice.

Medway Kent students have the chance to stay in a brand new development called Liberty Quays by the River Medway. It’s an attractive setting and only ten minutes walk from the campus. Each single room has its own bathroom. Each apartment has rooms for six to eight students, who share a kitchen. The accommodation has its own social facilities and launderette and each room has free internet access.

Paris For those students who are spending a term in Paris, we offer advice to help them find suitable accommodation. One option is to stay with a host family. There are also organisations in Paris to help students find short-term accommodation, as well as private accommodation agencies. For advice please contact the European Office (see p36).

A Guide for Parents of International Students 2010 www.kent.ac.uk

Cost (£) Occupancy

En suite

Meal allowance

Kitchen facilities

Prices quoted are for 2009/2010 for the entire occupancy period unless otherwise stated, and include gas, electricity and water charges

1

Canterbury undergraduate: rooms

1

Darwin College

39 weeks

Kitchen

From £3,696.42 to £4,201.47

Eliot

31 weeks

Kitchenette

From £3,289.50 to £3,708.75

2

Becket Court

31 weeks

Kitchenette

From £4,418.25 to £5,063.25

Keynes

31 weeks

Kitchenette

£4,031.25

Rutherford: Basic Specially adapted

31 weeks 31 weeks

Kitchenette Kitchenette

From £3,289.50 to £3,708.75

3 3

Canterbury undergraduate: shared houses and apartments

2

Darwin Houses

39 weeks

3

Tyler Court

39 weeks

Kitchen

From £4,463.55 to £4,995.90

4

Park Wood: Flats Houses

39 weeks 39 weeks

Kitchen Kitchen

£4,709.25 From £3,486.21 to £3,822.00

Kitchen

From £3,696.42 to £5,880.42

4

5 Canterbury postgraduate: shared apartments 5

Woolf

51 weeks

Kitchen

From £4,905.99 to £5,981.77

Medway undergraduate and postgraduate: shared apartments 6

Liberty Quays 42 weeks

Kitchen

£4,200

6 31

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Fact file: Fees The figures quoted on the right are the standard fees for full-time students starting in the year 2009/2010. They cover one academic year of study.

Junior Year Abroad: 2009//10

For the latest details on fees for 2010/2011, see our website below.

Pre-sessional English courses: 2010

Some courses (particularly postgraduate) charge more than the standard fee – please check our website for full details. To qualify as a student from the European Union depends on nationality and residency.

Discounts on fees If you choose to pay the year’s tuition fees in full by 31 August, you receive a 2% discount.

If you pay fees for an entire undergraduate degree (three or four years of tuition) by 31 August, the fees are frozen at the beginning of the course and you receive a 5% discount on the total cost.

Kent offers a 10% discount on the student's fees for the first year of study if: • a brother or sister already registered at the University • a parent has a degree from Kent • the student already has a first degree from Kent and is returning to do another degree that is privately funded.

Payment There is an option to pay in instalments but this must be arranged before your son or daughter registers as a student. Fees can be paid by a variety of methods including cheque, banker's draft, international money order, Eurocheque or online at: https://epay.kent.ac.uk/epay/

Further information www.kent.ac.uk/finance-student/fees/

Tuition fees for international students (from outside the EU) • • • •

Junior Year Abroad (nine months) JYA English PLUS (full-length/part-length) JYA Fall semester (three months) JYA Spring semester (five months)

• Six weeks/12 weeks/19 weeks with accommodation • Six weeks/12 weeks/19 weeks without accommodation

£9,000 £10,900 / £7,845 £3,600 £5,400 £1,887 / £3,729/ £5,545 £1,320/ £2,595/ £3,750

Degree programmes: 2009//10 Foundation degrees Undergraduate degrees Standard non-laboratory programmes Lab-based or practical programmes Year in Industry Year studying at a partner university Postgraduate degrees Standard non-laboratory Standard lab-based practical courses Non-standard fees as follows: Actuarial Science PDip Applied Actuarial Science MSc Agricultural Economics MSc Applied Environmental Economics MSc Architecture MA, MPhil, PhD Computer Animation MSc Digital Visual Effects MSc Economics suite of programmes MSc Food Chain Management MSc Management suite of programmes (KBS) MSc Management Science suite of programmes (KBS) MSc Master of Business Administration MBA Programmes based at University of Kent at Paris MA Programmes based at Brussels School of International Studies

£9,000 £10,350 £12,590 £805 £1610 £10,350 £12,590 £10,600 £12,500 £10,815 £10,815 £12,590 £12,590 £12,590 £11,520 £10,815 £12,000 £10,500 £16,800 £11,719 €14,450

International Office: please could you cut out four of the non-standard fees so I can fit in Paris and Brussels.

Thanks, KD

Tuition fees for students from the European Union Foundation degrees Undergraduate degrees Postgraduate degrees Standard Programmes based at Brussels School of International Studies Programmes based at University of Kent at Paris

£1,285 £3,225 £3,670 €14,450 £5,349

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Fact file: Funding The University has a range of funding opportunities available to our international students.

The figures quoted apply to the 2009/10 academic year.

• • • • • •

All students The following scholarships and studentships are open to students of all nationalities.

• •

Undergraduate study University of Kent offers many generous scholarship schemes. Students can apply for a scholarship for excellence in the following areas.

• University Music Scholarships – up to £5,000 a year • Music Lesson Scholarships – cost of music or vocal lessons up to £400 • University sports scholarships – between £250 and £5,000 a year • Cricket scholarship – £2,500 a year • Rugby scholarships – £2,000 a year • Ladies hockey scholarship – up to £2,000 a year

Postgraduate study • The University has established a scholarship fund of £1.5m to support research students. The scholarship competition is open to all postgraduate research applicants and covers tuition fees at the home rate and (depending on terms and conditions) a maintenance grant up to the full Research Council rate of £13,290 per annum • All University schools offer scholarships for postgraduate study. These vary from a one-off payment of a few hundred pounds to tuition fees at the home rate and/or maintenance payments at the same rate as the Research Councils to a maximum of £13,290 per year

• • •

University of Kent at Brussels studentship Alumni Postgraduate Research Scholarship Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship University Music Scholarships – up to £5,000 a year Paris MA scholarships European jointly supervised PhD scholarships – £4,000 Music Lesson Scholarships – cost of music or vocal lessons up to £400 University sports scholarships – between £250 and £5,000 a year Cricket scholarship – £2,500 a year Rugby scholarships – £2,000 a year Ladies hockey scholarship – up to £2,000 a year

Students from within the European Union In addition to the schemes open to all students (see left), the following are open to students from the EU. (Please note: EU status depends on nationality and residency.)

Undergraduate study • Tuition fee loan – EU undergraduate students can apply for a UK government loan to cover the cost of tuition fees. This is paid back after graduation when a certain level of salary is reached • University scholarships for academic excellence, one scholarship from each academic school – £1,000 a year

Postgraduate study • Ratiu Foundation scholarships for Romanian students • UK Research Council funding; tuition fees only • Various other scholarships

Students from outside the European Union In addition to the funding schemes open to all students (see left), the following are open to students from outside the EU.

Undergraduate study The University offers a number of generous scholarships for our international students at undergraduate level. The scholarships will be worth £5,000 per annum (for up to three years of study) towards the cost of tuition fees and are offered to nationals of any country paying international fees.

Hong Kong Alumni scholarship This scholarship is for outstanding students from mainland China or Hong Kong. The awards are £15,000 for the year of entry and renewable for up to a total of three years.

Postgraduate study The University offers a number of scholarships for entry at taught Master’s level. The scholarships will be worth £5,000 (for one year of study) towards the cost of tuition fees and are offered to nationals of any country paying international fees.

Accepted loans The University accepts Canadian student loans and US Federal Stafford loans.

Further information Details are at www.kent.ac.uk/studying/funding/ or you can use our scholarship finder at www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search/ There are also a wide range of scholarships for specific subjects, so check the school website for the latest information.

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Fact file: Contact the team Why not come and meet the Kent team? It’s a chance to ask lots of questions and get personal advice.

You can visit us in the UK or meet us at events around the world. We also have official Kent representatives in many countries around the world.

See below for details.

In the UK At Kent we have Open Days, Visit Days, Postgraduate Open Events and individual tours.

Friends and family are welcome. For details, see www.kent.ac.uk/openday/

Open Days Our Open Days are suitable for every level of student (undergraduate and postgraduate). They take place at the Medway and Canterbury campuses and are a good way to browse the courses on offer and meet academic staff. There are guided tours that look at accommodation, sport, library and leisure facilities.

Canterbury campus Saturday 26 June 2010 Saturday 9 October 2010 Medway campus Saturday 10 July 2010 Saturday 16 October 2010

Visit Days Visit Days are for those who have already applied to Kent for an undergraduate degree. During the Visit Day, students and their families are given an in-depth guide to studying their chosen degree at Kent.

In your own country Overseas representatives To talk to someone from your own country, please contact one of Kent's overseas representatives.

They can give you advice on Kent courses, and all aspects of study in the UK.

Visit Days take place between January and April.

Your son or daughter will receive an invitation from the university with the exact date.

For contact details, please see: www.kent.ac.uk/international/representation/

Postgraduate Open Events

Fairs and exhibitions

These events are based at the Canterbury campus. You can find out more about all the courses on offer, studying at Kent and how to apply for funding. You can also look around the Canterbury campus, or ask questions about the facilities at Medway, Brussels and Paris.

Kent staff also travel overseas to education events.

For details of our next visit to your country, see www.kent.ac.uk/international/overseas-visits.html

The next event is Saturday 6 February 2010, 11am-3pm.

Personal tours You are welcome to visit the University of Kent's in the UK at any time during the year. Please let us know when you are coming so we can arrange a personal tour. This will give you the chance to see everything and ask questions.

By telephone or email International Office (for non EU students) Tel: +44 1227 827994 Email: international-office@kent.ac.uk European Office (for EU students) Tel: +44 1227 827314 Email: eurec@kent.ac.uk

To request a tour, go to www.kent.ac.uk/studying/openday/informal.html You may also visit our campus in Brussels, by arrangement. Please call +32 2 641 1721 or email bsis@kent.ac.uk

Terms and conditions: The University reserves the right to make variations to the content and delivery of courses and other services, or to discontinue courses and other services, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. If the University discontinues any course it will endeavour to provide a suitable alternative. To register for a programme of study, all students must agree to abide by the University Regulations (available online at: www.kent.ac.uk/regulations/).

Data protection: for administrative, academic and health and safety reasons, the University needs to process information about its students. Full registration as a student of the University is subject to the student’s consent to process such information.

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Fact file: Travel to the University See below for advice on travelling from overseas to the University of Kent. For more details and directions, see www.kent.ac.uk/maps Canterbury By air London Heathrow airport is about 120 minutes by taxi.

London Gatwick airport is about 90-minutes by taxi.

By Eurostar train A train from Paris or Brussels to Ashford International (in the UK) takes about two hours.

From Ashford station to the Canterbury campus is about a 20-minute taxi ride. There is also a train to the Canterbury station, which takes about 20 minutes.

By Channel Tunnel To travel through the Channel Tunnel from Calais (in France) to Folkestone (in the UK) takes 35 minutes.

By ferry You can also take a ferry from Zeebrugge or Ostende (in Belgium) and Calais or Boulogne (in France). Ferries arrive to Dover or Folkestone (in the UK).

From central London by train London Victoria or Charing Cross trains to Canterbury East or Canterbury West take 90 minutes. A train from London St Pancras to Canterbury West takes 60 minutes. The station is about a five-minute taxi ride or bus to campus.

Medway campus By air From London Gatwick airport to campus is a 60minute taxi ride. From London Heathrow airport to campus is about a 90-minute taxi ride.

From central London by train London Victoria or London Charing Cross trains to Chatham take 45 minutes. From Chatham station it is roughly a 10-minute taxi ride to campus.

London St Pancras to Ebbsfleet takes 17 minutes,

By Eurostar train A fast train from Paris or Brussels to Ebbsfleet takes about two hours. Ebbsfleet is approximately a 30-minute taxi ride from campus.

By Channel Tunnel or ferry The Channel Tunnel allows you to travel from Calais to Folkestone in 35 minutes. Ferries leave from Zeebrugge, Ostende, Calais and Boulogne and arrive at Dover or Folkestone.

plus roughly a 30-minute taxi ride to campus.

Brussels or Paris The city of Brussels has a major airport and international train links. The University's centre is a 15-minute taxi-ride from the centre of the city; it is also next to the Etterbeek train station.

The city of Paris has a major airport and international train links. The University's centre is located in Montparnasse in central Paris, close to several metro stations.

University of Kent The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 E: information@kent.ac.uk

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