University of Kent at Canterbury Reviews

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why? My accomodation was located in a student village, 10 mins from main campus, lots of opportunity to join social and academic life

Personal comments:
There are new and old houses in Parkwood at UKC. The old houses need renovation and are too expensive for what they can offer. Disciplinary problems are very common. Unfortunately the university states to follow strict rules such as keeping noise levels down, etc but commonly does not take measures against students who offend those rules when those students pay overseas fees, that is when they bring in a lot of money. I personally do not think that this is appropriate in cases where housemates are being threatened by such students. My marks for my accomodation are relatively high despite this because I was able to change my accomodation after the first six weeks.

Describe host city: Students equally interact with the local and student community

Activities, Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
On campus there's only the Lighthouse and the Venue. During the day Mungoe's is nice for a coffe. For proper lunch or dinner Origins is very nice. Downtown I liked Simple Simon's and the Bishopsfinger (near Westgate), Wetherspoon's are always good for cheap but good dinner in a pub. Oh, and we recently got a Starbucks-staff is not too experienced yet and when they prepare you sth wrong you get an extra free drink.

Course recommendations:
In regards to quality of courses, the course notes could have been more specific in where to get studying materials. Interaction with teachers are not as good as it could have been, since through my own experience, I could see that a lot of students spend more time trying to jot down notes than to understand what the lecturer is trying to teach. It would have been better if the required notes are already given so that students do not have to write anything down, where students could just listen to the lecture, which is not a word-by-word repetition of the notes, but a complementary way of understanding the notes fully. Most international students are very out-going and willing to interact, unfortunately most local students do seem to have an arrogance and aloofness when talking to us international students and, at times, not so friendly.

Personal comments:
When doing team-work assignments, it is difficult to get all the teammates to act responsibly and willing to work hard. At times, there are certain teammates that would neglect to work hard, or sometimes not work at all. I believe sometimes teachers should monitor the progress of the group, not only as a team, but of each individual, to make sure everyone is cooperative and willing to contribute a certain amount of effort and time.

Language of instruction: English

Main source of funding:
Family

Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits:
The cost of the life is high for food and travel, but to compare with paris, it is all right.

Food, Travel, Overall, Housing: was more expensive than at home.

Nightlife: was the same price as at home.

Telephone: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
No.

In my opinion:
Most people loved it.