Summer schools

Participants from Summer School 2025 playing volleyball

Year 10 Summer School 2026!

The BIG Kent Experience - Applications open 4th March to 8th April
Apply here!

When is it?

Tuesday 28th July to Thursday 30th July 2026.


Why Apply?

The University of Kent has lots of experience running summer schools to introduce students to university life, to help them understand their options and make choices about the next steps in their educational journey. We also want to give participants the chance to build skills to help them succeed. Our Summer School provides the space and the support for participants to consider their options and to try new things; the chance to meet new people, to ask questions, and to express their opinions. 

The Year 10 Summer School is run on the University of Kent's Canterbury Campus. Students live in University accommodation for the duration of the residential.


What happens at a summer school?

This year our summer school has the theme 'The Big Kent Experience'. Participants will explore how learning happens at university and have the opportunity to develop their own skills, alongside experiencing different aspects of student life here at the University of Kent. Participants will meet the various teams who work together to support students during their time at Kent. They will spend their time getting to know our student ambassadors and meeting other year 10 students from around the county. They will stay in university accommodation, enjoy meals from our campus eateries and join in with Uni sports and social activities!


How much will it cost? 

Our summer schools are free of charge, including  accommodation, meals, all academic sessions and activities. Support with the cost of travelling to the campus may also be available. Please enquire at outreach@kent.ac.uk.


Who can apply?

Our summer school is aimed at students in year 10 who:
  • Are keen to experience a taste of university life
  • Are happy to work as part of a team 
  • Would like to develop their knowledge and skills

Eligibility criteria applies. Priority is given to those who meet more than one of the following criteria: 

  • Live in an area deemed to have lower than expected participation in Higher Education
  • Eligible to receive Free School Meals
  • Parent(s)/guardian(s) who did not attend university
  • From a group which is under-represented in Higher Education. Including:

Living or have lived in local authority care

Refugees or unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Disabled students

Young carers

From a gypsy, traveller, roma, showmen and boater community

Child of a military family

Watch our Year 10 Summer School 2025 video!


Play
Summer School ambassadors 2025

Summer School FAQs

If you have a question not answered here - get in touch at outreach@kent.ac.uk

The aim of the Summer School is to help you explore the options available to you when it comes to higher education choices. You will experience life on the university campus and attend subject-based sessions, information talks and social activities.  

 Our academic activities are designed to help you build your skills and confidence, and to illustrate the ways in which students learn at higher education level. The sessions may not cover things you are currently studying, but will be interesting and interactive and will encourage you to explore new ideas. As part of the summer school you will complete a project, working independently and in small groups.  

Like most student rooms at UK universities, you have a private room, ensuite and a communal kitchen space. For Year 10, accommodation will be provided in Keynes College.  You will be assigned to a corridor with around 6 other students and a Summer School mentor. These are single-sex corridors. If you would like to discuss accommodation with us further, please do contact us at outreach@kent.ac.uk.  

We usually find that Summer School students are too busy to feel homesick or want to go home! Missing home comforts and family/friends is entirely natural though, so if you do feel this way it is important that you let your Summer School mentor know so that they can support you.  

We don’t usually find it to be the case as there are lots of opportunities to meet people on the Summer School. Spending time away from home with people you do not know can seem quite scary but everyone else will be in the same situation. We run special activities at the start of the week that will give you an excellent chance to make new friends and meet everyone else.   

You can use your phone during free time but, as a matter of respect, you should make sure your phone is on silent and is not being used during any of the classes or when being given instructions. It is important that you use your mobile phone appropriately and on no occasion should it be used to take photographs/videos of other participants, students, ambassadors, or staff.

During the Summer School, you will be able to use the Summer School mobile should you need to contact home and your parents/guardians will be notified of this number in advance of the Summer School. Your parents/guardians will be also able to call this number should they need to contact you.

Whilst on the Canterbury campus all visitors can access Wi-Fi through ‘The Cloud’ Service (‘WiFi Guest’ network). This offers free public Wi-Fi and is provided by an external company.

Students on the Year 10 Summer School should arrive at the Canterbury Campus between 09.30 and 10.30 on Tuesday 28th July.

We provide all of your meals, free of charge.

The majority of things you need will be supplied, so you do not need to bring much money with you. Summer School students in the past, however, have brought spending money with them so they can purchase snacks and drinks from the campus shop and vending machines.   

You will find towels in your room when you check in.

Unfortunately, there are no hairdryers so it would be advisable to bring one with you

The Summer School runs from 10am on Tuesday 28th July to 16.30pm on Thursday 30th July.

Most things will be provided for you at Summer School but there are a few things that you will definitely need to bring with you:

 Essentials:

  • A change of clothes for each day (your own choice but make sure you bring some comfortable shoes).
  • Toiletries
  • Waterproof clothing (although we are hoping the weather will be sunny).
  • Sports clothing and trainers (as there will be the option to take part in sports sessions).
  • Medication (if needed)
  • Appropriate nightwear

And a few extra things that you may like to bring with you...

Optional Extras:

  • An umbrella  
  • Spending money (this is optional as you will not need to spend any money whilst at Summer School).
  • Mobile phone (to keep in contact with people at home).
  • Hairdryers & straighteners (as these are not provided by the university).

However, remember not to bring:

  • Anything too precious/expensive –Please note that the University cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to such items.
  • Any alcohol or prohibited substances.