Our students are diverse, passionate and independent, and our award-winning support and inspirational teachers make sure they are at the heart of everything we do.
Our Kent 2025 strategy highlights ours ongoing aim to offer one of the best education and student experiences in the UK. We've since published our mid-term review which looks at where we are and what the next steps will be.
What we've been working on
- Reviewed our portfolio of programmes and modules - grown our engineering offer, launched our medicine programme and brought together creative, cultural and digital programmes under the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries Institute banner.
- Launched the Academic Career Map - this helps to reward and share great teaching practice and reward career pathways for excellent educators to reach full potential.
- Student support - continued to embed our best practice in supporting student attainment, especially addressing the BAME award gap, providing mental health support and focusing on employability.
- Embed our graduate attributes - of Confidence, Creativity and Innovation, Critical Reflection, Global/Cultural Awareness, Integrity and Accountability, Intellectual Curiosity and Resilience into the wider university experience.
- Enhanced pathways - through education by expanding our Higher and Degree Apprenticeships offer and online learning.
- Enable students to contribute to their curricular and co-curricular experience through co-production – building a sense of being part of an academic community enhancing student voice and engagement.
By 2025, we will ensure that we are known globally for our research excellence in the following areas:
- Creativity, Culture and Heritage
- Cyber Security, Digital Technology and Communication
- Health, Social Care and Wellbeing
- Social Justice, Inequalities and Conflict
- Sustainability, Environment and Natural Resources
We will achieve this through research and innovation that is:
- Collaborative
- Global
- Impactful
- Innovative
- Interdisciplinary
Canterbury, our historic base, has been a seat of learning for centuries, while we are at the heart of Medway's bid for City of Culture 2025. We have a distinct European identity through centres in Paris and Brussels, and are proudly global in outlook.
We are determined to build on this to meet local, national and international need. Our Kent 2025 strategy highlights ours initial aims to ensure that we are a civic university. We've since published our mid-term review which looks at where we are and what the next steps will be.
What we've been working on
- Appointed a new Director - who will bring together a more coherent focus on achieving Engagement objectives.
- Delivered on recent civic initiatives - the Kent and Medway Medical School, the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries and the Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships. We are now using them as exemplars of regional contribution and impact.
- Working in partnership with local government and organisations in Kent and Medway - to enable economic growth and contributes to long-term sustainability and quality of life in Kent.
- Continuing our work with disadvantaged groups across the region - in order to promote access to the University.
- Signed up to the UN Sustainable Development Goals - agreed a carbon net zero target for 2040 and are challenging staff and students to see if we can do better.
- Focused our fundraising efforts on the Kent and Medway Medical School - through a fundraising campaign that supports our strategic ambitions.
7 reasons you should study in Kent
Study in a historic city
Uncover a city bursting with history and discover why the beautiful ancient city of Canterbury is one of the brightest jewels in Kent’s crown. The historic hotspot is less than an hour from London by train, with gorgeous medieval streets. At the heart of the walled city is the iconic Canterbury Cathedral, which remains a popular pilgrimage site and is a calm oasis in the bohemian city – perfect for artists attending The University of Creative Arts looking to be inspired. Canterbury Christ Church University is one of only a handful of universities with a campus in a World Heritage Site, whilst the University of Kent with its rolling green campus overlooks the stunning city and has regular bus links to and from the city centre.
Make Medway your home this year
With locations across Kent, Medway is a great place to call home. And, with its Historic Dockyard Chatham and Rochester Castle you'll be spoilt for choice of things to see and do. The Medway Campus of Canterbury Christ Church University, along with the University of Kent and The University of Greenwich, is part of Universities at Medway, situated on the Chatham Maritime site in the heart of the Medway towns and within easy access of London - just 45 minutes away by train
Let literature come to life...
Studying English literature? See the iconic Canterbury Tales brought to life or explore the literary heritage of the Medway towns where Dickens lived most of his life. Dotted across Chatham and Rochester you will find the places of inspiration still sitting amongst its characterful streets. Track down the Dickens literary links on an expert-led tour or a self-guided trail and see for yourself the Six Poor Travellers House and Miss Haversham’s Restoration House. Austen, Dickens, Chaucer and even Shakespeare - they've all created masterpieces in the splendid Garden of England
Chill out in Chatham and rock out in Rochester
If you wind up studying in Medway, be sure to check out Dockside Outlet Centre for a great restaurant scene with tons of shops and a multi-screen cinema complex that are all just a hop, skip and jump from campus. Or why not gather up your housemates (and fellow gin aficionados) and take a tasting tour of the Copper Rivet Distillery to celebrate the start of term? With regular music festivals throughout the year and seasonal food and drink celebrations in nearby Rochester, even high speed links to London won't tempt you away when the end of term rolls around.
City sounds, stunning scenery and social life
Canterbury is a great place to socialise and when it comes to restaurants in the city there's an abundance to choose from. Sample The Goods Shed - an artisan farmers' market featuring seasonal, local food, all produced in Kent. Meander through the winding, cobbled streets where you will find scores of great restaurants and live entertainment from The Marlowe Theatre and the occasional popup restaurant, alongside an array of great Shepherd Neame pubs, bars and even Britain's Oldest Brewery close-by in Faversham. Just remember to keep some of your student loan back for the end of term celebrations!
The beach is closer than you think
With Canterbury just 10 minutes from some of Kent’s stunning beaches (trust us, you'll be glad of a beach on your doorstep come summer time) you can choose from miles of peaceful bays and hidden coves, perfect for some al fresco revision! And with sandy beaches, summer festivals and outdoor stages at Dreamland Margate (Kent's favourite retro theme park), why not hire a bike via Click2Cycle and follow the coast, taking in Turner Contemporary and the vibrant seaside towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate for the ultimate post-exam escape
Gold-rated teaching
The Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Panel judged that we deliver consistently outstanding teaching, learning, and outcomes for our students.
