Study in Canterbury, The United Kingdom

About Canterbury

Canterbury is a historic cathedral city in Kent, in the south-east of England. The Canterbury local authority district grew by 4.2% between the last two censuses, from just over 151,100 people in 2011 to around 157,400 in 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The city has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church.

Students choose Canterbury for its universities and for a smaller, walkable city that is still close to London and to mainland Europe. The University of Kent points out that London is about an hour away by train and Paris about two hours.

Studying in Canterbury

Our directory lists four schools in Canterbury: three that teach at university level and one English language school. Teaching is in English.

• The University of Kent has its main campus in Canterbury and a second campus at Medway. For international students it offers pre-sessional English courses and a foundation route through the University of Kent International College. Campus accommodation is within walking distance of teaching buildings.
• Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) began in the 1960s as a teacher training college and has a campus surrounded by countryside, within easy reach of London.
• Warnborough College (UK), founded in Oxford in 1973 and now based in Canterbury, mainly teaches online: Warnborough College UK offers vocational courses in subjects such as agriculture, business, health and fitness and psychology, and online degrees are offered through Warnborough College Ireland.

For English, Concorde International runs General English, exam preparation and Business English courses for adults, as well as courses for young learners and families.

Visas for students

Short courses of up to 6 months, including English courses, can usually be taken as a Standard Visitor, which allows study at an accredited institution. English courses of more than 6 and up to 11 months need a Short-term study visa (£228). Degree courses and other longer courses at a licensed sponsor need a Student visa, which costs £558 from outside the UK; students aged 18 or over on a degree-level course can usually stay for up to 5 years. After a degree, the Graduate visa gives 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027. Always check the current rules on GOV.UK before you apply.

Cost of living for students

Housing in Canterbury is cheaper than the regional average. According to the ONS, the average monthly private rent in Canterbury was £1,280 in August 2026, compared with £1,426 across the South East, and £876 for a one-bedroom home. At the University of Kent, students can also live on campus, close to their classes.

For a Student visa outside London, the UK government asks students to show £1,171 per month (for up to 9 months) for living costs, on top of course fees. This is the minimum for the visa, not a full budget.

Getting around and daily life

The historic centre is small, and its three World Heritage Sites are all within walking distance. Bus fares in England are capped for operators taking part in the national scheme: a single ticket costs no more than £3 until the end of 2026, and single tickets will be capped at £2 from 1 January 2027. Trains reach London in about an hour, and the seaside towns of Whitstable and Margate are easy to reach.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Canterbury?

Our directory lists the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and Warnborough College (UK), which mainly teaches online.

Can I learn English in Canterbury?

Yes. Concorde International offers General English, exam preparation and Business English for adults, and the University of Kent runs pre-sessional English courses for students starting a degree.

How much does it cost to rent in Canterbury?

The ONS reports an average private rent of £1,280 a month in August 2026, or £876 for a one-bedroom home, below the South East average.

How far is Canterbury from London?

About an hour by train, according to the University of Kent. Paris can be reached in about two hours.