Overview
The University of Kent (formerly the University of Kent at Canterbury, abbreviated as UKC) is a semi-collegiate public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1965 and is recognised as a Beloff’s plate glass university. The University was granted its Royal Charter on 4 January 1965 and the following year Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent was formally installed as the first Chancellor.
The university has a rural campus north of Canterbury situated within 300 acres (1.2 km2) of park land, housing over 6,000 students, as well as campuses in Medway and Tonbridge in Kent and European postgraduate centres in Brussels, Athens, Rome and Paris. The University is international, with students from 158 different nationalities and 41% of its academic and research staff being from outside the United Kingdom.
As of 2017, the University of Kent is ranked within the top 25 universities in the UK by the Guardian, the Times Higher Education and the Complete University Guide, and has consistently scored 90% or higher for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey. In 2016, over 28,000 students applied to the University through UCAS and over 4000 accepted an offer. Almost three-quarters of the work submitted for the 2014 research assessments by the University was judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent. It is a member of the Santander Network of European universities encouraging social and economic development.
A university in the city of Canterbury was first considered in 1947, when an anticipated growth in student numbers led several residents to seek the creation of a new university, including Kent. However, the plans never came to fruition. A decade later both population growth and greater demand for university places led to a re-consideration. In 1959 the Education Committee of Kent County Council explored the creation of a new university, formally accepting the proposal unanimously on 24 February 1960. Two months later the Education Committee agreed to seek a site at or near Canterbury, given the historical associations of the city, subject to the support of Canterbury City Council.
By 1962 a site was found at Beverley Farm, straddling the then boundary between the City of Canterbury and the administrative county of Kent. The university’s original name, chosen in 1962, was the University of Kent at Canterbury, reflecting the fact that the campus straddled the boundary between the county borough of Canterbury and Kent County Council. At the time it was the normal practice for universities to be named after the town or city whose boundaries they were in, with both “University of Kent” and “University of Canterbury” initially proposed. The name adopted reflected the support of both the city and county authorities; as well as the existence of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, which officially opposed the use of a name too similar to its own. The abbreviation “UKC” became a popular abbreviation for the university.
Kent is a research-led university with 24 schools and 40 specialist research centres spanning the sciences, technology, medical studies, the social sciences, arts and humanities. In the 2014 Research Assessment Exercise the University of Kent was ranked 40th out of 128 participating institutions in a ‘grade point average’ league table in The Times Higher Education Supplement (falling from 31st in 2008), 30th in terms of ‘Research Power’ (rising from 40th in 2008), and 19th in terms of ‘Research Intensity’ (rising from 49th in 2008).The University had a total research income of £17 million in 2016.
20,220 Students
Location
Learning
TEF Rating
Courses Available
- Accounting, Business, Management and Marketing
- Architecture, Building, Planning and Design
- Biology and Biomedical Sciences
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Engineering
- Foreign Studies (Language, Literature and Linguistics)
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Law and Legal Studies
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Natural Sciences
- Recreation, Sports and Fitness Studies
- Theology
- Visual and Performing Arts
Applying
How to Apply?
For International Students
(in lieu of IELTS)
Deadlines and Important Dates
Cost and Scholarships
(For International Students)
Types of Scholarships Available
Scholarships
Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
| Total Worth | £2,000 per annum |
|---|---|
| Eligibility and Requirements | Achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. |
| Available for International Students | Yes |
| Application Deadline | -- |
International scholarships for undergraduate students
| Total Worth | £8000 |
|---|---|
| Eligibility and Requirements | An application must have been made for an undergraduate degree course at the University of Kent, beginning in September; the applicant must have received an offer of a place (conditional or unconditional) on a degree course; the applicant must have been assessed as an overseas fee payer. the University must have received confirmation of the applicant's firm acceptance of the offer by the deadline date. Students who choose Kent as their insurance place will not be eligible for the Scholarship. |
| Available for International Students | Yes |
| Application Deadline | -- |
| Other Details | The University has a long tradition of welcoming international students and is pleased to offer a number of scholarships for entry at undergraduate level. The scholarships are worth £8000 per year of study at the University of Kent, towards the cost of tuition fees and are offered to nationals of any country paying overseas fees. |
Music Performance Scholarship
| Total Worth | £1,000 - £2,000 |
|---|---|
| Eligibility and Requirements | An advanced ABRSM grade (or equivalent, including RockSchool, Trinity or other international musical qualifications) A significant musical profile whilst in school / college / university or the local community appropriate performing experience at county or national level / conservatoire, e.g. youth choir, county orchestra, wind band, jazz or big band Experience in giving public performances, e.g. gigs or solo recitals, major role in musical theatre productions |
| Available for International Students | Yes |
| Application Deadline | -- |
| Other Details | The Music Performance Scholarships, usually worth between £1,000 - £2,000, are awarded each year to talented instrumentalists and singers studying for any degree at the University of Kent, together with £500 worth of instrumental/singing tuition with experienced teachers. The University recognises the role that music and culture plays in the development of the individual and the benefits cultural activities bring to the wider University community. This scholarship is intended to encourage excellence and development in extra-curricular music performance, and includes instrumental/vocal tuition with experienced teachers. The scholarship encourages excellence in music performance and rewards recipient's involvement in the extra-curricular musical life of the University. |