School of Natural Sciences - current students
Our School
The School of Natural Sciences is a dynamic and interdisciplinary department dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the fields of biosciences, chemistry, conservation, forensic science, and sports, exercise and rehabilitation sciences.
With a strong emphasis on cutting-edge scientific discovery and real-world applications, the School fosters a collaborative learning environment that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in science and industry.
Home to state-of-the-art laboratories and world-leading researchers, the School is committed to tackling global challenges through innovative research and partnerships with industry and academic institutions worldwide.
Our Subjects
- Biosciences
- Chemistry
- Conservation
- Forensic Science
- Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Human Geography
Biosciences research:
- Cancer and ageing
- Cellular Architecture and Dynamics
- Interdisciplinary studies of reproduction
- Evolution, Reproduction and Genome Organisation
- GCRF Biopharma
- Growing Kent and Medway
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Infectious Diseases
Conservation research:
Chemistry and Forensic Science research:
- Forensic Research Group
- Materials for Energy and Electronics
- Supramolecular Interfacial and Synthetic Chemistry
Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences research:
Your voice in action
Changes made in the last year in the School of Natural Sciences, with help from student feedback.
Also check the Your Uni Your Say webpage to see how student feedback has shaped University-wide changes.
In Chemistry and Forensic Science
- Reduced assessment load – Assessment numbers have been significantly reduced, with better spacing across the year to improve the organisation of your course and minimise deadline clashes.
- Clearer, more timely feedback – Assessment changes have enabled faster feedback return times and more detailed comments, with better consistency in keeping to the three-week turnaround for all feedback across modules.
- Less pressured exams, better preparation – Exams are now better spaced, allowing more time for guidance, practice, and focused revision to give you better opportunity do your best and to demonstrate what you have learned.
In Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Clearer marking criteria – standardised and more detailed assessment briefs.
- Fewer deadline clashes and assessments while the content is fresh in your mind, with embedded support and staggered dissertation deadlines to help manage workload (ex. in SPOR6021).
- More placement and professional experience – more placements, a simpler approval process, and expanded clinical, sporting, and industry-led opportunities to help develop the knowledge and skills you will need in the future.
- More time for practical learning – Longer, weekly practical and seminar sessions aligned with lectures to explore concepts in depth and better integrate theory, practice, and skills development.
In Conservation and Ecology
- Engaging you with more hands-on learning – Conservation modules now include field trips or practical sessions, giving you more opportunities to apply theory in real-world settings.
- Stronger focus on ecology – Modules now include more ecology content, using additional lectures, readings, and case studies to strengthen core understanding.
- Clearer marking and feedback – A wider range of assessment formats is now used, with clearer marking criteria and more detailed feedback to support your learning.
- Key knowledge and skills for your future – GIS is now a core Stage 2 module, ensuring all students develop essential technical skills for conservation careers.
In Biosciences
- Student Notes reinstated for stage 3 exams – With two exams in the Autumn term and less time to prepare compared to previous years, the return of Student Notes helped you better demonstrate what you had learned.
- Plan your final year project with confidence – The introduction of a Project Catalogue helped you to compare projects in more detail and choose the one(s) that were right for you.
- Faster support when you need it – We will soon release an Expectations Policy meaning academic advisers and teaching staff are easy to contact when you need and respond within agreed timeframes.
Student news from the School of Natural Sciences
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Getting support
We have a range of support available to help you get the most of your time at Kent. Our School support teams include:
- Programmes Admin
- Research Programmes Admin
- Engagement Support
- Student Experience
School of Natural Sciences events
See the student events calendar for more events open to all Kent students.
