FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. How does one apply for a BruKent Membership?

A. Apply for a BruKent membership through the Kent Union website. Log-in, "add to basket" and proceed to checkout. Membership costs £5 for a standard membership and £6 for an associate membership (non-students). 

Q. Getting around Canterbury? 

A. Getting around Canterbury is simple. Stagecoach now provides students with Unibuses that run between Canterbury City Centre and University of Kent throughout the academic year. There are also other stagecoach buses running across Canterbury. Regardless of whether students live on or off-campus, we recommend that students still purchase a Unirider. This is an essential bus pass to get cheap travel for 39 weeks (275 days) and will cost £170 (promotional price offered to UKC students for the first few weeks of the academic year only).


Read all about it on http://www.stagecoachbus.com/unibus.aspx

Q. What is Worldfest?

A. The highlight of our year! The Worldfest international showcase is a competition BruKent Society participates in every year during the spring term (sometime in February/March). We aim to use this as a platform to showcase Brunei’s unique malay culture and to build stronger bonds between juniors and seniors in the society. This will be the opportunity to story-tell Brunei's history through the malay traditional dance, the hand-made props and through the acting. It's an experience no one should miss out on. Be sure to take part and support! 

Q. How does one apply for on-campus accommodation?

A. Based on the advice of our seniors in Kent, we encourage freshers to stay on-campus in their first year. Undergraduates who selected University of Kent as their preferred choice of university are able to apply for accommodation by 31st July 2014. Those who have passed the deadline will still be able to apply and request for accommodation from the university by contacting the accommodation offices. However, this does not ensure a confirmed place on-campus as most dorms are already filled up. The quicker the application, the greater the chances are of getting a place. Undergraduates are required to be registered with the university of Kent's system online through the student data system (SDS).


*Links are provided below for further reference to the university of Kent's accommodation guide procedures

Further details regarding the on campus accommodation types and location: http://www.kent.ac.uk/accommodation/canterbury/apply/guide/index.html

Further details of the on-campus accommodation application overview: http://www.kent.ac.uk/accommodation/canterbury/apply/index.html

Further details regarding the on-campus accommodation application information:
http://www.kent.ac.uk/accommodation/canterbury/apply/apply.html

Contact details of accommodation office university of Kent:
Accomm@kent.ac.uk
*Note that: you are required to register yourself as a student of university of Kent to prior to applying for an accommodation*

Q. How does one apply for off-campus accommodation?

A.Undergraduate first years interested in living off campus are able to apply for accommodation off campus by going through a private Letting owner or an established public estate agency.

Required documents or credentials for applying an accommodation off campus:

· Student letter - obtained from the university's admission's office
· University's guarantor letter (available only for full time students who wish to request the university to act as a guarantor)

There are several agencies found in Canterbury that is able to serve first year undergraduate, estates for lettings

For example:

· Kent Estate Agency (KEA) - http://www.kent-estate-agencies.co.uk/
· Abode sales & Lettings - http://www.abode-homes.co.uk/
· Caxton's Residential Estate Agency - http://www.caxtonscanterbury.co.uk/
· Connells - http://www.connells.co.uk/estate-agents/canterbury

*contact details and whereabouts of the agency's office is found in their site*

And there are other sites that offers an accommodation search from several available lettings around Canterbury, Kent.

For example:

· http://www.accommodationforstudents.com/canterbury.asp
· http://www.homestampkent.co.uk/Accommodation

So basically if you are interested in living off campus from the university, you have to contact several agencies to let know you are interested in the property or lettings so that they are able to guide you through the process. You are also able to survey through the property lettings through the internet.

Q. What are the pros and cons of on and off-campus accommodation?

A.
On-Campus

Pros

· Accessibility to the school. If you live on-campus, you can easily walk to classes, libraries, computer labs, cafeterias, markas etc.

· Increased social life. Living on-campus will allow you to meet more people and establish more friendships than if you live off-campus. Living in a residence hall means that there will always be someone around to hang out with. You will also be more aware of any campus activities and how to get involved.

· Simplicity. If you live on-campus, you don't have to worry about monthly rent payments, utility bills, and grocery shopping.

· Convenience. Everything you need is located either on campus or very nearby. City centre is just minutes away by bus as there is always frequent bus transportation

Cons

· Less privacy. When living in a residence hall, it can be more challenging to maximize privacy. Although you will have your own room, you may still have to share a bathroom and a common space. If you are someone who values complete privacy or you need absolute quiet to study, this may be more challenging for you.

· Limited space. At most Universities, the residence hall rooms are smaller in size and there is little storage space at your disposal. You have to limit what you bring to school, or your space will be too crowded. This means you have to economize and you may have to change out your wardrobes between seasons.

· There may be too much going on. Dorm life is very social, your grades may be negatively impacted if you prioritize your social life over your studying. If you constantly choose hanging out with your buddies over studying, then your grades might get affected.


Off-Campus

Pros

· Independence. You will not have to follow as many rules if you live off-campus. Residence halls have several rules that students must abide by when living on-campus. (These rules are usually designed for the overall protection and safety of the residents). Living off-campus will give you freedom from those rules and allow you to set your own.

· Space. Living off-campus means that you will be more likely to have a larger bedroom and more storage space. This can make your personal space more attractive, and can make staying in your room to study a little less claustrophobic. If you can afford to do so, you may even have the option of getting an apartment to yourself. This will give you ultimate privacy and seclusion.

· Sense of responsibility. Living off-campus will help you be more responsible. If you live off-campus, you will be in charge of paying bills, cleaning house, grocery shopping, and cooking. Being responsible is a good quality to possess (in case you consider this one a con).

· Less expensive. Often times, off-campus is less expensive than on-campus housing. You are able to manage the utilities such as electricity and heating, so the bills are manageable. Most of the lettings are furnished so you do not need to pay extra for new furniture/ kitchen utensils/

Cons

· More responsibility. you will be responsible for budgeting your financial aid for the entire academic year. If you are a compulsive spender or you have difficulty saving and/or setting a budget, this could prove problematic.

· Transportation. When living off-campus and live somewhere near the city centre, it may not be convenient for you to walk to campus so you would have to find transportation. Whether you drive your car or use a form of public transportation, it is still going to cost you money. Traffic can also be an issue if you live in a crowded area. Although the bus transportation time schedule is frequent so that you are able to timely manage yourself to your own schedule.

· Isolation. If you live off-campus, you may not be as involved with campus activities as you would if you lived on-campus. This could cause you to feel a sense of detachment with your college and cause you to not make as many friends.

More questions? Ask below!