International Student Guide
Thriving At Kent - An international student guide designed for you by members of our International Student Advisory Board
International Student Guide
Settling In
We know how daunting it can be moving to a new country, that's why we put this guide together.
The resources we have added to this page are the things that we wanted to know when we first arrived. We hope that this will help you to focus on making friends and enjoying your experience both now and throughout your student journey.
There is a lot of information already on this page, but you can also download our Arriving and Thriving Guide for more detailed information.
Read our helpful guides
Shopping for Essentials
There are quite a few stores in town to consider. We've done some comparisons to help you.
Travel Tips
The main bus stop is at Keynes College. But read our helpful guide to transport to help you get around.
Food and Eating Out
British food has a rather bad reputation, usually described as bland and boring. However, there are plenty of traditional delicious meals
Student Discounts
Make sure to capitalise on the student discounts available by bringing your student card everywhere you go.
Banking in the UK
See the University's guide to opening a bank account and what documents you'll need.
Shopping for Essentials
There are quite a few stores in town to consider. We've done some comparisons to help you.
Travel Tips
The main bus stop is at Keynes College. But read our helpful guide to transport to help you get around.
Food and Eating Out
British food has a rather bad reputation, usually described as bland and boring. However, there are plenty of traditional delicious meals
Student Discounts
Make sure to capitalise on the student discounts available by bringing your student card everywhere you go.
Banking in the UK
See the University's guide to opening a bank account and what documents you'll need.
Moving to a new country can be challenging at first, but once the paperwork and logistics were out of the way, I found myself settling in and enjoying my student experience at Kent.
Maria Barbola Zapater, PhD Drama
Thriving at Kent - Making Friends
Join a Society
Kent Students' Union is run by students for students. Join one of their many student societies, or start one of your own.
Tips and FAQs
We've compiled a list of some of our tips and answers to questions we wanted to know.
Global Hangouts
Global Hangouts are just one series of the events to help you build those networks and make new friends.
Look out for the dedicated newsletters for international students about events.
Global Opportunities
Global Learning Opportunities develop students to be open-minded, bring a sense of identity and community, and respectful of diverse perspectives.
Get Active
Take part in sports and recreational activities, the All Active social sports programme, or join one of the many classes available. All first-year Kent students get free membership.
Top picks on where to visit
These are some of our favourite destinations
London
With the high-speed train line getting into London takes just over an hour. There are lots of places to visit, such at Buckingham Palace, Museums, Galleries, Theatres, shopping opportunities.
Dover Castle
Nestled amidst the cliffs lies Dover Castle, a magnificent fortress steeped in history and legend. Exploring its ancient walls and winding passages, I am captivated by tales of kings and queens.
Whitstable
A charming seaside town, known for its Oysters, and just one bus away from Canterbury! Has been dubbed the ‘Pearl of Kent’, filled with seafood restaurants, art galleries, and boutique shops.
Margate
Head over to Margate Main Sands, known for its golden sands and lively atmosphere for a beach day or make your way to the iconic vintage amusement park dating back 100 years, Dreamland.
About Us
International Student Advisory Board
We are international students like you who have been recruited to represent the international student voice here at Kent. If you want to become a member or find out more about how to get involved, visit the webpage below.
Healthcare in the UK
The first thing you'll need to do is register with a General Practitioner known as a GP or Doctor. There is a GP Surgery on Canterbury Campus (University Medical Centre). To see a GP once registered, you will need to make an appointment.
You can also get help for minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats from a Pharmacist, without an appointment. There is a Pharmacy next to the Medical Centre or there is Cheadles (located on Giles Avenue) and Boots or Superdrug (located inside the store) which you can find in the city centre.
You can buy common pain medication, creams (for items such as burns and insect bites) and ointments from most Supermarkets, without seeing a doctor.
For emergency help which is serious but not life threatening you can telephone 111 and get advice. But in an emergency, where someone's life is at risk you can call 999.
We also recommend that you download the SafeZone App, which you can use to summon First-Aid assistance while on campus.
Where to go for support and when
Help with your studies
Studying in a different country can be hard. There are resources to help you get ahead in your studies.
Home sickness or culture shock
It can be normal to feel disconnected or sad as everything is new and unfamiliar. There are strategies to help you.
Cost of living support
Living in the UK can be expensive, but there are resources to help you manage, including free-cycle schemes and the Kent Students' Union Campus Pantry.
Managing your money
Find out about financial support, help with budgeting and emergency funding should you need it.
Kent Students' Union Advice Service
They can provide advice on many problems student encounter, from help with housing, visa advice, wellbeing.
Nexus
Not sure where to go? You can ask Nexus online or visit them in the Templeman Library. If they can't give you the answer they can point you to who can.
Help with your studies
Studying in a different country can be hard. There are resources to help you get ahead in your studies.
Home sickness or culture shock
It can be normal to feel disconnected or sad as everything is new and unfamiliar. There are strategies to help you.
Cost of living support
Living in the UK can be expensive, but there are resources to help you manage, including free-cycle schemes and the Kent Students' Union Campus Pantry.
Managing your money
Find out about financial support, help with budgeting and emergency funding should you need it.
Kent Students' Union Advice Service
They can provide advice on many problems student encounter, from help with housing, visa advice, wellbeing.
Nexus
Not sure where to go? You can ask Nexus online or visit them in the Templeman Library. If they can't give you the answer they can point you to who can.
Many of us international students have faced and survived stressful situations on our own, which can leave us wanting to take care of everything ourselves, all the time. Moving to a new country for your studies should be exciting and if you don’t engage with the help offered you may find yourself more stressed out than excited.
Sidra Ahmed, Law LLB
Events
We run events throughout the year to help you make friends and mark celebrations from around the world.
Kent Students' Union
A Student Union in the UK is a registered charity, completely independent from the university, and run by students for students. They have a responsibility to support you during your time at university and make sure your voice is heard.
Kent Students' Union (KSU for short) lobby and campaign for student rights, help facilitate over 250 Student Groups, they also run The Venue, Woody’s, Campus Coffee, Co-op and Kent Clothing.
The KSU Advice Service offers free, impartial and confidential advice and guidance on a range of issues you may confront while at university. For example they are trained to give visa advice, housing advice, and budgeting and financial advice.
Visa Advice
Where to go and when
Understanding visa requirements can be confusing and so can knowing who to go to and when. The webpage link below has details on everything from applying for a CAS, to working during your studies, placements, what to do, and a helpful glossary. The Student Immigration Compliance Team monitors the status, attendance and engagement of all Student visa sponsored students, and you will mainly deal with them when you first arrive, but for general help and advice remember that the KSU Advice Service (pictured) are trained to give visa advice.
Where to find further information
A Black Student's Guide to Kent
A black-centric guide to navigating student life at Kent.
Student Support Policies
Information about Kent's policies, particularly Respect at Kent, Exams and Ramadan, LGBTQ+ and Trans Student Policy and support, and the Religious Observance Guide.
UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
UK-based charity with great guides to living and studying in the UK.
Moving out during vacation
Help with accommodation during vacation, storage and shipping, moving out of your accommodation.
Working part-time whilst studying
The University JobShop can help you with finding part-time and temporary work opportunities.