The University has a well established series of Open Lectures that has been running for over 40 years. They are hugely popular, cover a wide range of topics and are delivered by respected academics, politicians and other professionals. Lectures are free, open to all and no booking is required.

The Colleges run an exciting programme of events including:

• Art exhibitions
• Grass roots lectures
• Musical recitals
• Poetry readings.

For further information visit the Open Lectures website.

Day Schools are held on various days, including Saturdays, and allow you to spend time exploring a subject purely for the pleasure of learning, in the company of other people who share your interests and are similarly motivated. Subjects covered include:

• Architecture
• Creative Writing
• Ecology
• History – ancient and modern
• History of Art
• Law
• Literature
• Music.

For further information visit the Day schools website

If you want to extend your knowledge of a particular subject, or are simply curious to know more, a short course is a good choice for you. Short courses are of variable lengths and allow you to spend time over a few days or weeks exploring a subject. They are also an ideal starting point before making the decision to study for a credit-bearing certificate or degree.

The courses are available at our Tonbridge centre during the day and evening. Subjects vary but may include:

• Archaeology
• Classics
• Creative Writing
• Ecology
• History
• History & Philosophy of Art
• Literature
• Modern Languages
• Philosophy
• Science

For more information view the Tonbridge summer courses (pdf) leaflet or visit the Tonbridge centre website.

Discover Japan - A new short course at Canterbury July 2011

Come and join us at the University of Kent Canterbury campus for a short summer course, providing an exciting insight into Japanese language and culture. The course takes place over four days in July and there are two sessions available for those with different levels of the Japanese language (absolute beginners and basic knowledge).

The Tizard Centre offers a range of programmes in Intellectual Disability, Autism and Community Care for individuals who would like to develop their professional practice and want to learn while working. You can study a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through work-based learning and workshops, short courses and distance learning.

The Centre has excellent links with Social Services departments and Health Authorities, particularly with service users, families and service providers in the South East of England. Courses on offer include the opportunity to study areas such as:

• Analysis and Intervention in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Applied Behaviour Analysis
• Applied Psychology
• Autism
• Clinical Psychology of Learning Disability
• Community Care
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Learning Disability
• Mental Health
• Person-Centred Support
• Positive Behaviour Support.

For further information visit The Tizard Centre.

There is a huge range of traditional degree programmes which lead to BA or BSc or other specialised Bachelor's honours degree (Hons) awards. Some courses in Kent’s undergraduate prospectus can be studied part-time and some subjects such as History and Social Sciences have developed a distinct programme of study for part-time students. In addition, our partner colleges offer Foundation Degrees and HNDs on a part-time basis in subjects including business, construction and engineering.

For more information visit the Part-time undergraduate courses page.

If you already have a first degree or equivalent then postgraduate study offers the opportunity to further your studies in that area, or perhaps change direction for either personal or career development. Kent delivers both taught and research postgraduate qualifications from MA/MSc to PhD level as well as being a highly regarded provider of executive education, including the MBA.

There are over 200 areas of study based at Canterbury, Medway, Brussels and Paris which give you the opportunity to find a part-time programme to suit both your current lifestyle and future ambitions.

For further information visit the Postgraduate course pages