Working for the University of Kent

The University of Kent is committed to providing an excellent working environment for all its staff. The benefits of working here include:

High quality academic environment

  • 74% of research submitted by Kent in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise was rated at grade 4 or higher.
  • 81% of staff now work in departments which contain research of national or international levels of excellence.
  • Over 130 different nationalities represented within the student body
  • The Universities at Medway is a groundbreaking initiative led by Kent and the University of Greenwich, and inaugurated by the Queen in 2002. The campus welcomed its first students in September 2005, and student numbers are set to rise to 6,000 by 2010.
  • The first students are now at the University of the Transmanche, an innovative partnership project developed by Kent together with the three Lille Universities and the University of the Littoral.
  • Research income of over £10.5 million for the academic year 2003/04.
  • Kent attracted the highest percentage increase in government funding for universities in the UK in 2004.
  • 23 new professors appointed over last 12 months.
  • £100m of capital investment planned over the next four years.
  • The University of Kent at Brussels set to expand significantly over the next ten years.

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Sports

The Sports Centre operates a sport-for-all policy to encourage everybody to keep fit and healthy - nearly half the population at the University are Sports Centre users. You can enjoy yourself whether you are a recreational user or a serious athlete.

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Arts

Kent has a strong and lively arts scene. In addition to the Gulbenkian Theatre and Cinema, there are regular art exhibitions around the campus. The Gulbenkian Theatre, on the Canterbury campus, is a 340-seat venue with a varied programme. The Cinema shows the best in independent cinema as well as a wide range of films including archive and non-mainstream releases.

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Cafes and bars

There is a wide range of catering outlets, six bars and a nightclub at the Canterbury campus. Medway has a variety of catering outlets (and more are being developed), a campus pub and a late-night bar.

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Childcare

The Oaks Day Nursery on the Canterbury campus provides a warm, caring, happy and stimulating environment in which all children can develop.

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Staff development

In order to motivate, develop and retain its staff, the University is committed to ensuring that all staff are encouraged to maximise their potential and are provided with opportunities for on and off the job training and development. We are happy to support and encourage both professional and personal development.

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Relocation scheme

We have a generous relocation policy for people who have to relocate to the area in order to take up a job here. Providing they meet the criteria new staff can make a claim towards the costs of both removal expenses and temporary accommodation.

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Joining us from overseas

We also have a booklet entitled, 'Information for New members of Staff from Overseas'. This contains useful information to help and support new members of staff joining us from outside the UK.

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Pension and benefits

There are two final salary pension schemes and membership is open to all staff. The University contributes approximately 14% of salary to the pension scheme and the employee approximately 6%. The schemes are: SAUL for manual, secretarial and clerical and technical staff and USS for other staff.

In addition staff can get savings on childcare through the Busy Bees Childcare Voucher scheme and travel discounts on local public transport and Eurostar. A car sharing scheme is also available.

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Work-life balance

We recognise that there are benefits both for the employer and employee of supporting flexible working. The University has comprehensive family friendly policies and a guide to work-life balance which underlines our commitment in this area. Some staff groups are able to participate in a flexitime scheme and all staff benefit from generous holiday arrangements.

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Excellent locations

The University is primarily located at the Canterbury campus which is a green and friendly campus situated 55 miles from London and 20 miles from the Channel ports. Our new shared campus at Medway is only 55 minutes from London and is situated near to Chatham’s Historic Dockyard. 

About Canterbury

Canterbury is a small city with a warm and friendly atmosphere, within easy reach of both London and France. It is a thriving cosmopolitan community and the streets are packed with small shops, bookshops, larger chain stores and over 80 restaurants and pubs. The city also includes the Marlow Theatre, museums, libraries, art galleries, cinema, nightclubs, swimming pools and the St Lawrence County Cricket Ground.

About Medway

The Medway towns of Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood have a rich history and culture. The Medway towns are an area of rapid growth, offering easy access both to central London and to the Channel ports. The dockyard area is undergoing massive redevelopment and includes a new multiplex cinema and shopping mall not far from the University campus.

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