Kent University - In Depth

Founded: 1965.

Site: 300-acre campus, on outskirts of Canterbury; also new site at Pembroke Campus adjacent to Chatham's Historic Dockyard.

How to get there: Good road and rail links between Canterbury, London and Europe: 55 mins by train from London Victoria or Charing Cross; served by M2, M20 and M25. Heathrow and Gatwick airports, Channel ports (Dover, Ramsgate) and Channel Tunnel all 1+ hour drive.

Academic features: Wide range of courses: single subject, joint and multi-disciplinary and those with a year abroad or working in industry.

Structural features: New shared campus in Chatham with Greenwich University and a joint school of pharmacy.

Awarding body: Kent University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BEng, BSc. LLB, BBA, MDrama, MPharm.

Length of courses: 3 years; others 4 years.

Library & information services: Over 1 million books. periodicals, pamphlets, slides, microfilms and electronic media form.

Special collections: Early and rare materials, research collections and archives; close links with Cathedral library. Annual expenditure on information provision, £108 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service, access 24 hours/day. 600+ public access computer terminals on site, with access to library and internet (ratio 1:16 workstations to students). IT support from computing reception, helpdesk, online help and documentation. Library skills training programme, online packages: IT skills courses including html and European Computer Driving Licence.

Study abroad: Formal Erasmus and other exchange links with many EU universities/colleges - open to students in a range of disciplines eg computer science, drama, economics, law, maths and social psychology.

Careers: Careers advisory service.

Student advice & services: Personal tutorial system: health and counselling service; disability support unit; learning resources centre; SU provides legal and financial advice; day nursery, chaplaincy, travel bureau.

Amenities: Blackwells bookshop; Gulbenkian Theatre; Cinema 3 (regional film theatre), own radio station; purpose-built night club with bars and bistro all on site.

Sporting facilities: Sports centre provides facilities for over 30 different activities (including coaching to international standard).

Accommodation: Almost all first year students live in university-owned accommodation: from £62-£69 per week self-catering (£91 ensuite), 38 week contracts; £74-92 pw B&B (up to £112 ensuite), 31-week contracts or longer.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £125 pw (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: Student Jobshop.

Financial help: Total available £346,000 government funds, 740 students helped (almost all who applied), average amount £200-£500. Special help to students not publicly funded (assigned prior to start of course).

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £8250 pa (classroom), £10,700 (lab/studio).