Accommodation departures

Student departures

Find out when you need to move out of your university accommodation and what steps to take before you leave.

Quick links

Do I need to move out?

If you live in Keynes College (F, G, H, I blocks) or Becket Court, you'll need to move out of your accommodation during the vacations.

Winter vacation

If you live in self-catered accommodation but you'd like to stay on campus over the winter break, you'll need to let us know. 

Vacation accommodation

Need to stay on campus over the break? We offer alternative accommodation for students whose contracts don’t cover the vacation periods.  

Before you leave

Check out our handy leaving checklist before you go, to keep your accommodation in tip-top condition! 

Facilities and storage

Discover what’s open on campus over the vacation and how you can store your belongings while you’re away.  

2025 - 2026 Arrivals and Departures

Not all accommodation contracts include the vacation breaks. You can see when you’ll need to move in or move out below, and double-check everything anytime in your MyAccommodation Portal.  

Most students who live in accommodation with a meal plan will need to move out during the winter and spring vacations. 

Becket Court and Keynes College (Blocks F, G, H and I): Your accommodation contract covers the following periods, but does not extend over the vacation periods.

Move inMove out (10am)
27 September 202513 December 2025
10 January 202621 March 2026
11 April 202620 June 2026

Your 38-week contract means there is no need for you to move out for the spring or winter vacation periods. 

Move inMove out (10am)
27 September 202520 June 2026

With your 44 or 52-week contract, there is no need to move out over winter, spring, or most of summer break.  

ContractMove inMove out (10am)
44-weeks27 September 20251 August 2026
52-weeks27 September 202523 September 2026

Your 52-week contract runs from September 2025 to September 2026, so you do not need to move out during any of the vacation periods. 

Move inMove out (10am)
27 September 202523 September 2026

KMMS accommodation is offered on a different contract length to match your academic term dates, so there's no need for you to move out for the spring or winter vacation periods. 

Move inMove out (10am)
13 September 202518 July 2026

If you are studying a short course at Kent, you will have been offered an accommodation contract to match your course dates. Please log in to the MyAccommodation Portal to check these.    

If you are undertaking a placement or a Year in Industry in Canterbury or Medway and staying in University of Kent allocated accommodation, your contract dates will be flexible to match the duration of your placement. These arrangements will be managed by the University’s Conference and Events team via email. Find out more below.

Staying or going...

Winter vacation

Heading home or staying on campus? Remember to keep your room clean and secure before the break. If you need alternative accommodation, you can book here. If you’re in self-catered halls and staying, just let us know by 10 December 2025.  

Moving out for winter
Woman holding a backpack

What you need to do before you leave

Before you head off, take a look at our checklist to help you keep your accommodation in tip-top condition - and to the same standard as when you moved in.  

box

Pack up

If you’re in Keynes College (F, G, H, or I) or Becket Court, you might need to pack up your things and either take them home or pop them in storage if you’re coming back. Don’t forget to take any important items with you.  

lampshade

Switch it off

Before you leave, make sure you switch off and unplug any electrical items (except the fridge).

trash3

Bin your rubbish

Put the rubbish out and clear any perishable food from the fridge - no one wants to come back to a mouldy lettuce! Remember to use the correct recycling and food waste bins.  

border-all

Secure it

Make sure all windows are properly closed, but leave the vents open to keep air circulating. Double-check that all doors are locked before you leave.  

envelope

Collect your post

Don’t forget to pick up any mail or parcels from your letterbox or reception before you go - you don’t want to miss something important!  

key

Return your fob

Living in Keynes College (F, G, H, I) or Becket Court? Make sure you hand your fob back to reception so it can be reactivated for next term - it’s an easy one to forget, but really important!  

Campus facilities and services during the vacations

Planning to stay on campus over the vacation? Here’s what’s available, how to get help, and what you need to know to make your break smooth and stress-free.  

College Receptions

Closed throughout the winter break. Check online for opening times before visiting.

Campus Security

Available 24/7 during the vacation:

  • Urgent maintenance and non-emergencies (e.g., lockouts): +44 (0)1227 723300
  • Emergencies (fire, police, ambulance): Call 999 first, then +44 (0)1227 823333

Note: Security does not provide housekeeping items (toilet rolls, bin bags, light bulbs), so make sure to stock up before the break.

Maintenance and Defect Reporting

Essential maintenance may happen over the break, which could cause temporary water or electricity outages, or fire alarm tests. Check your university email for notices from the Estates team.

  • Urgent defects: Contact Campus Security (response times may vary from term time)
  • Non-urgent defects: Report via your college reception 

Bin Collections

Refuse will continue to be collected. Please use the nearest bin store for waste disposal.

Laundry

The Keynes College launderette will be closed. Other campus launderettes remain open during the vacation.

Amazon Deliveries

Use one of the three Amazon lockers on campus for 24/7 access:

  • Keynes T Block
  • Darwin Houses
  • Woody’s in Park Wood

Catering

Most outlets close after term ends. For vacation hours, check the catering homepage.

  • Open with reduced hours: Park Wood and Plaza Co-Op

More Information

For updates on other services available over the winter break, keep an eye on this page - it will be refreshed closer to the vacation.

Storage and shipping

Whether you need to store your belongings over a vacation or want to ship extra cases home before leaving campus, there are plenty of external services that can help. You can also authorise a friend or company to pack and collect your items for you - just follow the steps below.

Authorising someone to pack and remove your belongings

If you’ve left campus and can’t collect your belongings yourself, you can authorise another University of Kent student or a third-party company to do it for you. To arrange this, email the Accommodation Office at least 3 working days in advance with the following information:

  1. Your full name 
  2. Student number
  3. Campus address
  4. Contact number
  5. Name of the person or company collecting your belongings
  6. Their student number (if applicable)
  7. Their contact number
  8. Scheduled date of collection

Important: The University does not accept liability for services provided by these companies.

For the most up-to-date information, contact the storage or shipping companies directly or check their official websites.

Local and international storage companies

Armadillo Self-Storage
  • location-sign Location: Canterbury

Self-storage units, CCTV monitored, from £6.50 per week.

Student Move and Store
  • location-sign Location: Canterbury

Easter and Summer holiday services for your belongings.

One Stop Worldwide
  • location-sign Location: International

Moving and relocation services, including collection and delivery, with no hidden fees.

Seven Seas Worldwide
  • location-sign Location: International

Flexible solutions for transporting personal belongings, including boxes, bags, and luggage, to and from universities worldwide.

Vacation Accommodation

If your accommodation contract doesn’t include the vacation periods, you can book a room in alternative blocks to stay on campus over the spring, summer, or winter breaks.

Please note: Some of our accommodation is used by the Conferences team over the vacation period, so we won’t be able to confirm which blocks are available until nearer the break. If you do book vacation accommodation, you’ll likely need to move to a different room with your belongings during this period.  

Find out more