Reception Services
Reception Services
College receptions opening times, postal deliveries and what to do if you lock yourself out.
Our receptions
Each accommodation area has a dedicated reception staffed by friendly, knowledgeable teams who can help with questions about your accommodation and the University of Kent Canterbury campus.
When you arrive, you can collect your keys or fob from reception and return them when you leave.
Reception teams can also help with:
• Collecting mail and parcels
• Providing room access if you lose your key
• Answering general enquiries
They also manage check-ins and check-outs, including support for B&B guests.
Opening hours for all college receptions, including any temporary changes, are updated weekly, so please check before you visit.
College receptions term-time opening hours
Please see the information below on each reception. If you cannot reach an open reception outside of these hours and need help please contact Campus Security.
Becket Court
If you’re living in Becket Court, your reception services are handled through Keynes College Reception.
This includes collecting your fob/key when you arrive on Arrivals Weekend.
Please note, parcel deliveries for Becket Court are available for collection from Eliot College Reception.
Darwin College
Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 16:00
Saturday, 08:00 - 13:00
Sunday, closed
Contact details:
+44 (0)1227 827549
Darwin_Reception@kent.ac.uk
Location: Darwin College Reception, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NY
Eliot College
Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 16:30
Saturday, closed
Sunday, closed
Contact details:
+44 (0)1227 823400
Eliot_reception@kent.ac.uk
Location: Eliot College, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NS
Giles Court
If you’re living in Giles Court, your reception services are handled through Keynes College Reception.
This includes collecting your fob/key when you arrive on Arrivals Weekend.
Please note, parcel deliveries for Giles Court are also available for collection from Keynes College Reception.
Keynes College
Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 20:00
Saturday& Sunday, 08:00 - 13:00
Contact details:
+44 (0)1227 823622
Keynes_Reception@kent.ac.uk
Location: Keynes College Reception, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NP
Parkwood
Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 20:00
Saturday, 08:00 - 13:00
Sunday, closed
Contact details:
+44 (0)1227 823499
Parkwood_Reception@kent.ac.uk
Location: Park Wood Reception, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7SG
Turing
Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 16:00
Saturday, 08:00 - 13:00
Sunday, closed
Contact details:
+44 (0)1227 816169
Turingreception@kent.ac.uk
Location: Turing College Reception, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7FN
Tyler Court
Monday to Sunday, 08:00 - 20:00
Contact details:
+44 (0)1227 824480
Tyler_Court_Reception@kent.ac.uk
Location: Tyler Court Reception, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7UF
Woolf College
Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 16:30
Saturday, 08:00 - 13:00
Sunday, closed
Contact details:
+44 (0)1227 378700
Woolfreception@kent.ac.uk
Location: Woolf College Reception, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7BQ
Postal deliveries
Whether you're expecting mail from home, your latest Amazon order, or anything else, it's important to know how to collect your mail while living on campus.
Know your address
Use your full correct delivery address and name as it is on your student card when ordering items.
Schedule your delivery
Arrange delivery when someone is home, or collect parcels from reception during opening times.
Collecting your post from reception
All parcels delivered to reception need to be logged and signed for, so wait for an email notification from reception before collecting your parcel.
Bring your KentOne ID when collecting mail/letters. You can only collect your own mail unless you have written permission from the other student (emailed to reception).
No letterbox?
If your accommodation doesn't have its own letter box, you'll need to check the reception for any mail each week.
A useful tip: Use Amazon lockers on campus for Amazon deliveries. They are located by Keynes College T block, Darwin Houses and Woody's in Park Wood.
Don't get caught out
College receptions cannot accept deliveries of fresh/frozen foods (e.g. a supermarket delivery), so make sure you book a delivery slot when you are available to collect your order.
Make sure you're aware of the accommodation prohibited items, to avoid ordering something which isn't allowed in your accommodation. Prohibited items are listed in the Accommodation Handbook and the Accommodation T&Cs.
Before you move out
Remember to update your delivery address or arrange mail forwarding so your mail reaches you. The University cannot forward mail once you’ve left and isn’t responsible for lost or damaged items.
Useful information
Always lock your door when leaving, but remember sometimes the door will auto-lock so always keep your fob with you (even if popping to the kitchen) to prevent lockouts.
If you do lock yourself out, or lose your fob, go straight to your college reception. They can issue you a temporary access card so you can get back in your room. If you don't have your KentOne Card you'll be asked some security questions to check that you are the student living in that room (note temporary access cards can't be given to anyone other than the room occupant).
If you are locked out after reception hours contact Campus Security on +44 (0)1227 823300.
You have 24 hours to return an access card to reception for a lockout, and one week to return it if you have lost your fob to give you time to find it.
Issuing a card is free, but if you do not return a temporary access card by the agreed date, you will be charged for its replacement.
These are charged at the purchasing cost, so the fee will vary depending on the type of key or fob you have. You can check the cost for replacing your key/fob at reception or online by checking our fob charge sheet.
Please note that when a new fob is created, your old one is automatically overwritten and will no longer work, so should you find your original fob at a later date, this cannot be reactivated or refunded.
Our 24/7 Campus Security team are always on hand to help keep you safe and can provide a range of support, including emergency assistance. If reception is closed and you’re locked out of your room, Security can help you get back in.
You can contact Security on +44 (0)1227 3300 for non-emergencies or through the SafeZone app.
Find out more about Campus Security.
If something in your room needs repairing, please report it online through Home at Halls so the Estates Maintenance team can fix it.
If you experience an emergency fault, contact your reception or Campus Security immediately.
Find out more about reporting a maintenance defect.
Please note: if a maintenance staff member carries out a repair while you are out, they will lock your door when they leave, so remember to take your key fob with you.