An 18-year-old student was found dead in university halls the morning after her first night on campus.

The teenager is believed to have registered at the University of Kent in Canterbury less than 24 hours before she was discovered at 8.30am on Sunday.

Emergency crews rushed to the Tyler Court halls of residence, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance crews.

Fellow student Molly Hope said she was working as a welcome helper over the weekend.

“We were moving everyone in and it was a really positive and happy experience on Saturday,” she told the Inquire student newspaper, of which she is culture editor.

“We arrived Sunday morning to continue helping students moving in but there were ambulances and police cars outside of Tyler Court.

“We were informed that there had been an incident and access to the flat in question was blocked off.

“We were told to move aside as the ambulance crew left the premises. Shaken students started coming out of their rooms and we had to calm them down.“We were told to move aside as the ambulance crew left the premises.

"Shaken students started coming out of their rooms and we had to calm them down..." - fellow student Molly Hope

“It was a sombre morning given how excited students usually are when they start their time at uni.”

Sara, a fresher from Bromley who arrived on Saturday, told KentOnline a sense of shock and disbelief has settled on the campus.

The 18-year-old said that at a time when people are finding their feet, the news has unsettled her.

“It’s meant to be a time when everyone is really excited and happy, so this is such a shock to everyone,” she said.

“I didn’t know the girl, but I am thinking of all her loved ones. It’s tragic.”

Police were called to the scene to carry out investigations, but are not treating the death as suspicious.

University spokesman Gary Hughes says students affected by the tragedy have been offered support.

He said: “We can confirm the death of a female student at our Canterbury campus on September 17.

“Next of kin have been informed and support is available for students and staff. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”

Police say a report into the woman’s death is being prepared for the coroner.