Support for international students studying or planning to study at Kent.
On this page, you can find out more about the support available to international students through groups, networks, English language and more specialist services through Student Support and Wellbeing.
International students face unique challenges. My dedicated International Wellbeing Advisers have given me a foundation of support and community, and the Kent Community Oasis Garden provides a space for us to feel a sense of meaning and belonging.
Disability and wellbeing support for international students
Student Support and Wellbeing has a specialist service for International and European Union students with physical disabilities, long term health conditions, hearing loss of all levels, visual impairments and autistic students.
Find out how to get your support set up before you start at Kent, or during your studies.
Setting up support
Get in touch
If you're an International or EU student with a place to study at the University of Kent and think you may need additional support, please contact us as soon as you can so we can begin to arrange your support.
We meet with students, either in person or online via Microsoft Teams to assess their study related support needs before they start university.
What happens next?
After our initial meeting, you'll need to register with Student Support and Wellbeing, and provide up-to-date medical evidence. Medical evidence should be translated into English wherever possible.
The medical evidence forms the basis of support at the university, which may include a creation of an Inclusive Learning Plan (ILP), the provision of assistive technology, and specialist support staff (e.g. a mentor or study skills tutor), as well as a point of contact in our team throughout the degree programme.
We can also refer to other teams within Student Support and Wellbeing, e.g. the Mental Health team or Specific Learning Difficulties team for more tailored support options.
In our specialist service, we understand the impact that cultural differences can have on disability support, and we will help support you with transition into the UK. We can also help signpost and explain helpful UK-wide networks, e.g. how to access the NHS (National Health Service). We run specific events and workshops for international disabled students to support one and other.
Please contact us as soon as possible after your application if you require significant support, to allow time for us to meet your needs before the start of your course.
When you are here
Once you have started at Kent, you can continue to meet with your adviser, who can:
Recommend student groups that promote activities with and for international students.
Monitor the progress and coordination of interventions through the academic year.
Prepare you for departure from Kent onto whatever you would like to do next.
Please note:
We're not able to provide personal care support (e.g. support with
day-to-day living activities, within accommodation, domestic activities or
providing long-term mobility aids like wheelchairs).
If
you require this support type of support, please include these additional costs in your budget
for the duration of your course before you come to the UK.
Groups and Activities
There are lots of support groups and networks at Kent for International students.
The International Wellbeing Group
This is a student-led group that meets every week on Thursdays from 2-4pm. The group meets physically or virtually to provide informal conversations amongst international students to improve their wellbeing. The group organizes games and outings at different times in the calendar year. If you would like to find out more please email WellbeingEvents@kent.ac.uk, or check out the Student Support and Wellbeing Events calendar.
Kent Community Oasis Garden
KentCOG gives students the opportunity to take part in workshops and peer support activities with an aim to improve mental health and wellbeing.
If you want to learn more about ecotherapy and be part of group discussions surrounding mental health issues and its links, sign up via KentCOG@kent.ac.uk.
International Student Groups
Here at the University of Kent, we have large and welcoming international student community. There are lots of student-led international groups for students of different nationalities, cultures and religions. All groups and societies can be found on Kent Unions Activities page.
Global Hangouts
The Global Hangouts series runs throughout the year as a place for international students to meet and make new friends.
Get help with English language and academic skills
International Programmes offers modules in English Language and
Academic Skills (ELAS) that you can take alongside your degree, to ensure you
are getting the most from your studies. Our free modules are designed to help
you improve in areas such as grammar and punctuation, essay writing,
note-taking, seminar participation and incorporating sources.
You can visit Nexus in Templeman Library, or email the Nexus team at nexus@kent.ac.uk, for general practical support for living in the UK to help you settle in. Whether you need help figuring out UK transport, opening a UK bank account or even just some advice on where to buy your groceries, Nexus is here to help.
