FAQ list
Take a look at our Arrivals Guide It has lots of useful information for arriving at the Canterbury and Medway campuses.
UK students
UK passport
EU/EEA students (excluding the UK)
EU/EEA passport or national identity card (both sides required)
International students
International passport and immigration permission/visa*
*If you have previously been issued with immigration permission for the UK, we will require one of the following (but not limited to) documents:
- the current UK visa in your passport
- current Biometric Residence Permit (both sides required)
- Immigration Status Document
- Home Office documents
- EU Student digital visa or Pre-settled/Settled Status share code (guidance in Arrivals 2023 on the Student Immigration website).
Please go to the Documents page for a full list and more information.
If you're travelling to the University from within the UK, take a look at our Accommodation Arrivals Guide This will give you all the information you need about when to arrive and what to do when you get here.
Accommodation Arrivals Guide:
All details are on our Arrange your travel to Kent page
Canterbury students can collect their KentOne student ID card from the Arrivals Hub. Please allow 48 hours between enrolling and collecting your ID card. If you require a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), you will receive an email to book an appointment to collect both your BRP and KentOne student ID card.
Medway students can collect their KentOne student ID card from the Gillingham building reception.
KMMS students will be given their student ID card in Welcome Week.
Once you’ve activated your Kent IT Account you should set Kent Wi-Fi on your laptop, phone and tablet – do this before you arrive on campus, so you’re all set!
Check which technology to bring: advice on compatible laptops, tablets, printers, games consoles, speakers, TVs etc. You can also download free software
Bring a network cable if you’re coming to live on the Canterbury campus. The wired internet in your room will be more reliable than Wi-Fi. Also you’ll need the cable to get your games console online (games consoles aren’t compatible with our secure Wi-Fi network).
Read our guide to opening a UK bank account.
If you are unable to bring all your personal items when you arrive, make sure your belongings arrive after you have checked into your accommodation as there is no space for storing luggage at the University.
If you’re travelling from afar, or are tight on packing space and need to buy bedding and kitchen equipment, a good option can be to order from UniKitOut who will deliver any essentials you order through them directly into your room ready for your arrival.
Storage firms and removal companies can store luggage during vacations and, for international students, they will also often send your belongings from your home country to Kent, if you choose to send them in advance.
Absolutely! We have plenty of secure bike shelters and other facilities for cyclists and there are some great cycling routes around the local areas.
Please use the bike shelters provided as you're not allowed to keep your bike in your room or stored in corridors..
Your own Wi-Fi router, as you won’t be able to use this in campus accommodation. You won’t need it to access the free campus Wi-Fi.
Large items, or too much stuff!
Food and plant produce from outside the EU
Fridges (unless required for medical purposes)
Are you living in Becket Court, Eliot College or Keynes College?
You'll have a kitchenette supplied with a microwave and a kettle, so don't
bring saucepans or lots of kitchen equipment; just cutlery and small
basic items.
More details: Read our 'Living in campus accommodation - what not to bring' leaflet (pdf)
Bedrooms include:
- Bed with mattress and mattress protector. Bed sizes are dependent on room type, please refer to our bedding sizes information to find out more.
- Ample storage space
- Desk and desk chair
- Notice board
- En-suite bedrooms include a shower, toilet, basin and mirror
- Wi-Fi,
and a wired internet connection.
All self-catered kitchens include:
- Sink with drainer
- Fridge freezer/s
- Microwave
- Kettle
- Iron and ironing board
- Mop and bucket
- Broom, dust pan and brush
- Vacuum cleaner
Types of ovens
Electric hobs and ovens
- Darwin, Keynes, Turing Colleges and Tyler Court A
Gas hobs and ovens
- Tyler Court B and C (excluding Tyler Court B, Flat 3 and Tyler Court C, Flats 7 and 8 which have induction ovens, see below)
- Park Wood: Bishopden Court, Clowes, Homestall Court, Purchas Court, Marley Court, Thornden Court, Tudor Court, and Willows Court
Induction ovens
- Tyler Court B, Flat 3 and Tyler Court C, Flats 7 and 8. You'll need to bring induction or heavy-bottomed pans if you're living in these flats.
Gas hobs and electric ovens (Park Wood)
- Bossenden Court, Denstead Court, Ellenden Court, Farthings Court, Grimshill Court, Kemsdale Court, Lypeatt Court, Nickle Court, and Stock Court.
Yes, if you’re living on the Canterbury
campus and arriving in September, you can order a range of items including bedding and kitchen
essentials from UniKitOut to be delivered direct to campus ready for
when you arrive. You can also enjoy a 10% discount on your order with the code KENT10 More about UniKitOut, including how to order and order deadlines.
Bedrooms include:
- 4ft double bed with mattress and mattress protector
- Wardrobe
- Desk with drawers, desk chair and desk lamp
- Notice board and bookshelves
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Wired and wireless internet.
All kitchens include:
- Electric oven with grill and four-ring hob/extractor fan
- Dining table and chairs
- Fridge freezer/s
- Microwave
- Sinks with drainer
- Vacuum cleaner and ironing board
- Mop, bucket, broom, dustpan and brush
- Rubbish bin.
Both the Canterbury and Medway campuses have a great range of food and drink options to suit all tastes and budgets. Find out more about the Flex Meal Plan
Take a look at the accommodation FAQ page. If your question isn't answered there, you can contact us directly.
If you have a question, please get in touch:
- For enrolment, contact Central and Medway Student Administration (gettingstarted@kent.ac.uk)
- For visa/immigration queries, contact Student Immigration Compliance Team (visacompliance@kent.ac.uk)
- For payment of fees, contact the Income Office
- For accommodation queries, contact Accommodation Office (accomm@kent.ac.uk)
- For admissions process: via your applicant portal
- For any other questions, or if you’re not sure which team you should ask, please contact Nexus.