There’s always plenty going on at North Kent College that you can get involved with. The College has an active Students’ Union, Student Zones, The Learner Voice, Sports teams and much more. It’s a great place to learn, but equally great for your social life!
The Student's Union (SU)
The Students’ Union is run by students and promotes your interests. Every student becomes part of the Union from the day they join us, to the day they leave us. You can also follow the North Kent College Students' Union (NKCSU) on Twitter and like them on Facebook.
Be Part of it
All students at the College have the opportunity to be part of the Students’ Union Executive Committee. This is a committee of students who are elected by other students to represent them - it's about giving students the right to have a voice. The SU Executive Committee is led by the Student President who will make the final decisions on SU issues and events. For more information or to be part of it, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Become a Student Ambassador
Join our student ambassador scheme where you can collect points to receive great prizes by helping out at our College events! Join up and get involved with Open Days, Learner Council, blog writing, social promotional videos, and much more! Sign up through our online submission form on Moodle or contact the SU officers This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The National Union of Students (NUS)
NKC is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS), which means that our Students’ Union will get involved in some national student affairs that affect our students, such as the cost of travel.
Student Discount Cards
Being part of the NUS also means that we can offer you NUS Student Discount Cards. NUS cards can be used for discounts in hundreds of shops. Every student enrolled on a course at the College is entitled to order an NUS Card, which they can do from the NUS website.
Student Handbook
Every student will be directed to the online Student Handbook during their induction, this is a guide to all of our support services, facilities and teaching, plus a few extra handy bits that we think our students will appreciate. This is avaliable on our Student Resources page.
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The Student Union
Getting involved with the Student Union is an excellent way of becoming part of college life. You will help organise events and activities throughout the year - such as the Summer Ball and Winter Party - as well as various fund-raising activities and community work.
Elections to the Student Union Executive are held every year with all students invited to stand for election, or vote. If elected, you will be part of a team which regularly meets with College staff to discuss issues important to the wider student population. This really is the focal point of student life and the social hub of the College.
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Enrichment
Enrichment takes place on all campuses and offers a wide variety of exciting activities and support that enhance your time at College. Taking part in these activities or accessing the support available will enhance your personal development, help you gain new skills, enjoy new experiences and support you to achieve all you can at College.
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Open up a world of Enrichment through the five strands
- Cultural Enrichment and Personal Development - These are regular events aimed at raising awareness of other countries, traditions and their cultures through a range of workshops and food tasting events.
- Hadlow Evening and Weekend Enrichment - These activities, open to all students, help make the Hadlow residential experience an enjoyable and fulfilling one.
- Cross-College Themed Events - These are the annual parties and events, open to all students that celebrate the start, middle and end of the academic year these include the Winter Ball, charity fundraising events, The Hadlow Group Sports Awards and Summer Ball.
- Sport Enrichment - The Hadlow Group has a variety of competitive sporting teams including football, netball and rugby teams and we offer a range of taster sessions for all students to get active when studying with us.
- Curriculum Enrichment - Each curriculum area will organise sessions for other students to experience what they do, or to learn a transferable skill and create an understanding of what we have to offer.
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Common Room and Garrad House Bar
The Common Room is available for all students to use and has a wide range of facilities including games consoles and games, karaoke and disco system, TV, pool tables, arcade games and a dedicated music room with a variety of instruments.
Garrad's Bar is set in an elegant early 19th century building and is the ideal meeting place where you can relax, chat with friends or enjoy meeting students from other courses. The fully licensed bar offers a wide range of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks together with a range of snacks and throughout the year will host a variety of events such as live bands, DJs and quiz nights.
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Keep fit
If you're based at our Hadlow campus, you'll be able to use the on-site gym, ‘The Wellness Hub’. From treadmills to dumbbells and circuit classes to gym challenges, the Wellness Hub is a safe environment to keep fit and healthy all year round. Our friendly instructors can take you through all kinds of programmes and show you everything you need to know. The Wellness Hub will be open Monday - Friday with varied times every day for all your gym needs.
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Activities and events
Students are able to take part in a variety of different activities which may include learning a new skill, helping other people within the community or local area, attending a workshop or sampling offsite activities. The programme is based on activities specifically requested by our students and aims to keep you stimulated and motivated.
Hadlow College is a Health Promoting College encouraging students to participate in physical activities and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Students may wish to join the football, rugby, netball teams. The teams compete in the KCSSA Sport League and Cups, which has a fixture list from September through to the spring break. Keep in shape with the one of the fitness classes like yoga. The Wellness Hub staff will work with you to draw up an individual fitness programme in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Other sports on offer include:
- Table tennis
- Outdoor pursuits
- Yoga
- Martial Arts
All activities offered are free of charge for students to attend, with the exception of ‘The Wellness Hub’ which can be paid for on an annual or termly basis. If you hold an NUS Extra TOTUM Card you are entitled to a discounted annual membership at the Wellness Hub.
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Evening activities
The Student Support Services team arrange a schedule of student events and social activities that take place during the evenings for all students. These include themed discos, live band events, quiz nights, karaoke, pool competitions, film nights, cinema, swimming, bowling and ice-skating trips. There is a Music Club for beginners to advanced musicians who can use the drum kit, keyboards and bass, acoustic and electric guitars, all free of charge. The local Chaplaincy Team organise a regular Coffee Club and there is a twice weekly trip to a local supermarket to stock up on supplies. The Residential Support Officers will also assist students to widen their life skills including help with budgeting, personal safety, improve domestic tasks such as cleaning routines and laundry and develop cooking skills.
For those students who wish to continue studying outside of their curriculum timetable, the Learning Resource Centre remains open during the evenings and from 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.