Kingston University

Address and Location

Kingston is set over a number of campuses on the outskirts of London. The majority of facilities are concentrated outside Hampton Court Park in Kingston upon Thames, with other buildings in Roehampton, a short hop north.

Background and History

Kingston Technical Institute and the Kingston School of Art were independently founded in the 1890s. The institutions joined in 1970 to form Kingston Polytechnic, which subsequently became a university in 1992.

Location and Accessibility

By Rail: The main university campus in Kingston can be reached via Kingston or Surbiton rail stations. The Roehampton Vale site can be reached from the same stations, then by bus.

By Road: Both campuses are easily reached from outside London by following the M3, then A308. There are limited parking spaces available, however.

Accessibility: Most university facilities are wheelchair-accessible, and accommodation is provided for students with disabilities.

What's on Offer

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, MBA, Graduate (Conversion) Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, MRes, MPhil, PhD

Entry Requirements

The typical offer at Kingston is 240 UCAS points, which can include General Studies at A-Level. GCSE Maths and English are expected at grade C or above. Some courses require students to study specific subjects at A-Level or equivalent.

University Accommodation

Accommodation is available for first years at both campuses, in addition to a private hall leased to the university in Kingston

Private Accommodation

Compared to other parts of London, Kingston upon Thames offers excellent value for private rented accommodation, although the area around Hampton Court Park can be significantly more expensive.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

University teaching in business, nursing, history of art and architecture has been assessed as excellent, while the Aeronautical Engineering Department is also particularly well regarded.

Tuition Fees

In 2014, undergraduate courses cost £9,000 per year. Fees for international students and postgraduates vary by course.

Financial Support: A variety of scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available to undergraduates and postgraduates. Check the university website for more details.

Academic Facilities

Facilities across the university campuses have been reworked to offer several 'Learning Resource Centres' - a combination of library and multimedia suite. IT provision has also been increased to make the most of the university's extensive library of online study sources. Laboratory facilities at Kingston include a wind tunnel, flight simulator and even a university-owned jet.

Other on-site Amenities

The university offers a typical selection of eateries, studying and social spaces, andthree Student Union-run bars. Kingston provides a gym and some sports facilities on-site, but those looking to play football and rugby will have to make the short trip to the sports ground in Tolworth, 2.5 miles away.

Medical and Social Care

Medical care on campus is exceptional, and features a health centre offering GP services, a sexual health clinic, counselling and several types of massage. While the university isitselfsecular, provision is made for all faiths across the different sites.

What's on in the Area

Kingston upon Thames is home to an unusually high number of golf courses, and has Wimbledon Common, Hampton Court Park, Kew Gardens and Richmond Park right on its doorstep. Twickenham Stadium is on hand to keep rugby fans satisfied. In the evenings, students fill up the campus bars or take the train to Central London, which is only twenty minutes away.

Moving on

Kingston's Careers and Employability service runs a number of recruitment events throughout the year and provide courses and advice on finding work.

Musicians Eric Clapton and Aphex Twin both studied at Kingston but neither graduated.Alumni who managed to finish their courses include sportsmen Graeme Le Saux and Lawrence Dallaglio.

Is Kingston right for you?

Kingston offers an interesting mix of self-contained campus life and London excitement. If you're looking to study business or nursing the university comes highly recommended - check outBrunel or City University London for comparison.