Choosing your modules

Kent has a wide range of modules which are open to exchange and short-term student. 

Please read the information on this page before choosing modules. 

The Study Abroad Team will register modules for you, as far as possible before arrival, based on the choices you submit in you application. Because of this, it is very important to choose your modules carefully. 

Please note that Kent does not have an "add and drop" period.  

If it is essential that you take a particular module/topic during your time at Kent, you may wish to check this with us prior to application.   

To reduce the risk of timetable clashes, we recommend focusing on just one or two subjects and on one module level.

You can search for modules using Kent’s online module catalogue . 

When you click on each module title in the Catalogue, you will see an overview. Please read this carefully to make sure that it covers topics that you are likely to find interesting and that are the right level.

A description of the module 

This includes the main topics and a link to the module specification. 

The level of study

• Level 4 modules are the first year of the undergraduate degree (Stage 1). These modules are often a good way to explore a new area of study.
• Level 5 modules are at a higher level than certificate modules and are usually offered at Stages 2 and 3.
• Level 6 are usually offered at Stage 3, the final year of the degree. They can allow you to specialise in an area of particular interest. For these modules, you are advised to have a good background knowledge and understanding of the academic subject.

If you are coming to Kent on a postgraduate (Masters) exchange you should chose modules in Levels 7/8.

Please note that Psychology modules from Levels 4 and/or 6 are open to exchange/short-term students. 

The credits

This includes the Kent credits and, in brackets, the ECTS equivalent.

15 Kent credits = 7.5 ECTS or 4 US credit hours

30 Kent credits = 15 ECTS or 8 US credit hours

120 Kent credits = 60 ECTS or 32 US credit hours

Exchange and short-term students take 60 Kent credits per teaching term. If you will stay at Kent from September to April or June, you will take 120 Kent credits. 

Undergraduate modules are normally worth 15 or 30 Kent credits and Postgraduate modules are normally 20 Kent credits. You may find this means you will take fewer modules in a term than you are used to. 

The Term/s it will be taught in

Teaching takes place in the Autumn Term and Spring Term.

If you are coming for one term, make sure that you are choosing modules which are taught in that term.

If you are coming for the Autumn and Spring Terms, you will need to take 60 credits in each term. 

When a module says "Combined Autumn and Spring Terms", this means that teaching will start in September and finish in April.  

The campus

Most subjects are taught at the Canterbury campus, but Music and some Business and Sociology/Criminology modules are taught at Medway. 

We recommend choosing modules at just one campus because this reduces the risk of timetable problems. If you are required to take modules that involve a spilt site, please contact us for advice prior to application.  

The method of assessment

Assessment is usually by a combination of coursework and examination, the exact ratio depending on the subject you take, and your period of study.   

All examinations take place in the Summer Term.

If you are registered at Kent until June and have modules which are assessed by exams, you will take the exams in the Summer Term. 

If you are registered at Kent until December or April and you wish to choose a module that includes an examination, it may be possible for Kent to arrange an alternative form of assessment. Please contact us for advice.  

Any pre-requisites or restrictions

If your module choice has a pre-requisite, please make sure that have taken an equivalent or very similar class at your home university. Please upload information about this in your application. 

A few modules have co-requisites, where you would take two modules together. 

If you choose Level 4 modules in the Sciences, Mathematics or Graphic Design, you may be asked to provide evidence of previous study in that subject or related subjects even if there is no pre-requisite listed. (In order to be accepted to one of these degrees, applicants have to have an A Level or equivalent degree in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Art/Design. Because of this a certain level of knowledge in the subject is assumed.)

The reading list

This will show you the key texts that you will use during the module. 

At the end of you stay, Kent will issue a formal transcript of the work you successfully complete here. If you are intending to transfer the academic credits you earn, please check your module selections with your home university.

Restricted modules

Due to the high popularity of Law modules, they are only available to students studying at institutions with whom we have a direct Law exchange.

Closed modules

Modules with a code that ends in X, like BUSX or ECOX, are not open to exchange students.  

Exchange and short-term students cannot usually take dissertation or project modules because the preparation for this work starts in the previous academic year.   

Social Work and Medical modules are not open to exchange/short-term students.  

Thesis research

Please note that we do not offer supervision for undergraduate thesis research.

If you will register here for 6 months or more, you must take 120 Kent credits in order to comply with the Student Visa requirements. Thesis research can be done as an extra-curricular activity.

Internships during your studies

Please note that the university is not able to arrange internships for exchange/short-term students. 

If you come to Kent for less than 6 months, entering the country through the 'Visitor' route, you will not be allowed to work or do volunteering in the UK. 

When you make an application, you are asked to fill in a provisional module registration form (see How to apply), indicating your preferred modules. If you are an Erasmus student, you may have a Learning Agreement which you can submit instead. 

Before sending us this form, please ensure you have chosen enough credits for your programme and a few alternatives.  

The Study Abroad Team will ask the academic Schools to approve your modules. If there are any difficulties with your choice of modules, we will contact you and will help you choose suitable alternatives. We will then arrange for your approved modules to be registered.  

Timetables will be published in the weeks before the start of term. You will be able to see your registered modules and your timetable on your Student Record after you have enrolled. 

Most classes will have a mix of lectures and small group seminars which encourage informal discussion. Teaching may also include workshops or guided research. If you are taking a Science or other technical subjects, you may spend time in laboratory sessions and practical classes. In language module, you may have conversation classes and language laboratory sessions.

There is an emphasis on autonomous work, so you will have reading, research for essays and presentations and group work outside class. 

One of the exciting things about studying at Kent is the way in which you are encouraged to express your own views and develop your own academic skills.