Access Kent
Access Kent helps remove barriers to higher education so that all students with the potential to succeed at university can pursue their ambitions at the University of Kent
Access Kent
Open Day Travel Bursary
Our Access Kent Travel Bursary offers eligible applicants funding towards the cost of travelling to the University of Kent for our 14 November Open Day
Contextual Admissions
Our Contextual Admissions Policy offers a lower entry tariff to applicants who meet our Access Kent eligibility criteria
Access Kent Criteria
Full list of eligibility criteria for our Access Kent opportunities
Access Kent for Schools
Working closely with secondary schools and colleges, we aim to give your students a better understanding of the benefits of higher education and all that the University of Kent has to offer
Current Students
Our support doesn't stop when you become one of our students at the University of Kent
Attend our Open Day with the help of our
Access Kent Travel Bursary
Open Days are a chance to explore our campus, meet current students and academics, and discover why the University of Kent may be right for you.
We know that travel costs can add up, so the Access Kent Travel Bursary offers eligible students a contribution towards the cost of travelling to the University for our 14 November Open Day.
Our Access Kent Travel Bursary offers either £25 or £50 towards the cost of travelling to our Open Day, depending on your home postcode.
To apply for the Travel Bursary, you need to:
- Book your place at our 14 November Open Day
- Review your eligibility against our Access Kent Eligibility Criteria
- Ensure your attendance at the Open Day is recorded by scanning your personal QR code at an official University information point
- After the Open Day, you will receive an email to your registered email address with a link to apply for the Access Kent Travel Bursary
- You will have two weeks to submit your application. Applications will only be assessed once the deadline for applications has closed
- Successful applicants can expect to receive payment within 4 weeks following the application deadline.
- Care experienced/estranged students should apply for the Care Experienced/Estranged Student Travel Bursary and not the Access Kent Travel Bursary. These applications can be made in advance of the Open Day.
Access Kent Contextual Admissions
As part of our commitment to widening participation, the University of Kent uses a contextual admissions policy for undergraduate UCAS applicants. We believe that everyone with the potential to succeed at university should have the opportunity to do so. Our diverse student community strengthens our institution and reflects a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Applicants who meet the Access Kent eligibility criteria are automatically considered for a contextual offer. This may be up to 16 UCAS Tariff points below the standard published offer for their chosen course.
Access Kent Eligibility Criteria
Access Kent is for students/applicants domiciled in England or Wales who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Live in Tundra Q1 or IMD Q1 or Q2 area (or)
- A mature student, aged 21 or over on the 1st day of term (or)
- Free School Meals recipient (or)
- Have spent any time in Care under a Local Authority* (or)
- Disabled students and those with long term health conditions, including learning differences and mental health conditions (or)
- Young carers (or)
- Unaccompanied Minors, asylum seekers and refugees (or)
- Applicants from Gypsy, Traveler, Roma and Showman Boater Communities (or)
- Applicants from Military Families (or)
- Attend an English school/college that receives below average KS5 academic qualification results. We will identify this using the Applicant Centre or the Exam Institution recorded on the UCAS application
Additional criteria used as part of the Contextual Admissions Policy:
- Documented mitigating circumstances (or)
- Applicants with significant, documented, education gaps
*Care Experienced/Estranged Students are eligible for a separate travel bursary to attend any of our Open Day/Offer Holder events.
Contact Us
For any queries related to Access Kent, including the Access Kent Travel Bursary, please email: accesskent@kent.ac.uk
