Kingston University

Kingston University is a public university in Kingston upon Thames, south-west London. Its origins date back to 1899, and it gained university status in 1992. The town setting on the River Thames is around 30 minutes from central London, and teaching takes place across four campuses: Penrhyn Road, Knights Park, Kingston Hill and Roehampton Vale.

The university has more than 20,000 students from around 140 countries. Academic provision is organised into four faculties: Kingston School of Art; Business and Social Sciences; Health, Science, Social Care and Education; and Engineering, Computing and the Environment. Kingston School of Art has a strong reputation in design, fashion, film and photography, while the Roehampton Vale campus specialises in engineering, including aerospace and automotive subjects. Kingston holds Gold ratings in all three categories of the Teaching Excellence Framework, placing it among a relatively small group of UK providers with this outcome. The university also places emphasis on enterprise and graduate employability, with a consistently strong record for student and graduate start-ups and recognition for its work on social mobility.

Information for International Students

Kingston has a diverse student body drawn from around 140 countries. International applicants are supported by dedicated visa advisers who assist with Student visa applications, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) queries, working in the UK during and after study, and general adjustment to life in the UK. The Information Centre acts as the main point of contact for day-to-day enquiries.

Undergraduate courses typically require IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, and most postgraduate courses require IELTS 6.5. Online pre-sessional English courses are available for students who need to reach the required level before starting their degree.

The Kingston University International Study Centre, operated by Study Group, offers an International Foundation Year, International Year One, a Pre-Masters Programme and English language preparation, with progression to Kingston degrees. New international students are expected to arrive for a dedicated International Arrivals and Orientation week before term begins, and an airport pickup service is available for new students during the arrival period. Graduates may be eligible for the UK Graduate Route after completing their studies.