canterbury

University of Kent

Kent is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live. Set in acres of parkland, and less than an hour from London, Canterbury is a buzzing historic city.

Canterbury is also the closest UK city to the European continent giving students quick and easy access to explore famous cities like Paris, Athens, Rome and Brussels, not to mention the south east English coast. The University of Kent has been awarded a gold rating, the highest in the UK Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and has received high ratings for student satisfaction.

Key information

Location

Canterbury, UK

Language

English

Semester

Fall, Winter, Academic year

Program type

Exchange

Application information

Application status

Open October 1, 2024

Apply Now

2025-2026 applications

Fall 2025 and Winter 2026

Priority deadline: January 5, 2025

University-specific additional requirements

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B). See the Eligibility section below for more information.

2026-2027 applications

Open October 1, 2025

Student Experience

New Sights in the United Kingdom 2019

Karis Heimann

UK Opportunities Info Session

Program details

Areas of Study:

Actuarial Science, anthropology*, architecture, art history*, biosciences, business, classical & archaeological studies*, chemistry, comparative literary studies*, computer science, digital arts, drama*, economics, software engineering, English literature*, film studies*, forensic science, Hispanic studies, history*, international relations, linguistics, mathematics, music*, philosophy*, physics, political science, psychology, religious studies*, sociology, statistics.

Languages: French*, German*, Italian*, Spanish*.

*Courses in theses areas of study are being reviewed, and therefore may have limited availability. The University of Kent is also in the process of phasing out the following subjects: Anthropology, Philosophy, Music, Art History, and Journalism.

Closed Programs: Law.

For more information see the short-term study page or the course catalogue online. 

Course Information:

Courses at Kent are called "subjects". Students at Kent typically take 60 credits per semester. One UCalgary half course equivalent = 12 Kent credits. 

The academic year is divided into two semesters. The fall semester runs from mid-September to late December. The spring semester runs from early January to mid-June. There might be an option to finish semester two in April. Please check with your exchange advisor for details.

  1. Costs

    Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.

    Information about living costs can be found on Kent's website

    Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning.

  2. Funding

    Did you know that you can take your University of Calgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree seeking student at the UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.

    Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information. 

University accommodation is guaranteed for exchange students if they apply by the housing application deadline. Exchange students can apply to Kent's residential colleges and can choose from catered or self-catered options.

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the University of Calgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B).

Students apply to UCalgary first, then we nominate accepted students who have met the minimum requirements to our partners. Once you have been nominated to Kent, you will then apply directly to their exchange program.

Students traveling on passports from countries that don't have English as a first language must prove their English proficiency. For more information about Kent's requirements click here.

Check out Kent's Virtual Campus Tour here

Students with disability should check out the support services offered. In 2018, Kent was shortlisted for an Outstanding Student Support Award on the strength of their accessibility initiatives. 

The UK has laws protecting LGBT people from discrimination and is a marriage equality country. The University of Kent is committed to increasing their diversity, through the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Network. They participate in many LGBT events throughout the year.


Have questions?

Global Learning 101

Please watch this short YouTube playlist before reaching out or booking an appointment. In these videos, you will learn much of the basics about Global Learning, which may answer your initial questions.

Watch Global Learning 101

Academic Advising

Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how this program might align with your degree (e.g. best time to go, what courses you need).

After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/transfer credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.

Find your academic advisor

Global Learning Advising

If you have questions, please reach out to our office! We offer drop-in advising for general inquiries, and if you have questions about this specific program or any others, you can book an appointment with the responsible advisor.

Please use the link below to find the most up-to-date information about our current advising options.

View the Global Learning Advising page

The advisor for the program is: Sydney Guthrie

How to Apply

Download the application guide

This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.

Application guide

Identify three programs of interest

We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.

Check requirements and deadlines

These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.

Start your application

Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!

Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.

APPLY NOW

International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.

For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.

If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.

Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.