Kingston University

Location: Kingston upon Thames, England.

The famous and popular Kingston University is very close to Surrey and London, on the banks of the Thames. In total, the structure of the university includes 4 campuses, fully equipped for effective modern education.

The University was founded in 1899: despite the fact that it is considered to be very young by British standards, it managed to win leadership positions almost immediately in many curricula, to earn an excellent reputation among students and the colleagues in the educational world. Here a variety of specialties is taught: from art and design to medicine and pharmacology.

Kingston University strives to give its students not only a comprehensive in-depth knowledge, but also to prepare them for active work in the condition of the modern world, to create highly sought-after and qualified specialists, to provide the most relevant information in educational courses. In addition to the classical undergraduate and graduate courses, there are pre-Masters as well as the International Foundation Year and International Year One. The university has the following faculties:

• Accounting and finance
• Media and marketing
• Business
• Design.

Kevin McDonnell

Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

What are the currently popular courses at UK universities?

UK universities are known for their diverse subject offerings. Business, medicine, and engineering traditionally see high demand, with growing interest in computer science. 

Kingston University offers extensive opportunities to gain knowledge, diverse experiences in the learning process. Students have the opportunity to go abroad on an exchange program or use an online platform for distance education to combine obtaining a degree with professional activities. Teachers, employees of academic and administrative departments comprehensively support each student, helping to solve diverse issues, adapt the curriculum to their needs, and get additional opportunities to realize their potential.

Kingston University has four specialized faculties, on the basis of which specialized training is carried out in the following areas:

• School of Arts,
• Business, Social Sciences,
• Healthcare, Science, Social Protection, Education,
• Engineering, Computing, Environment.

Kingston University's research has helped shape public policy in the United Kingdom, and even today makes important contributions to public life around the world, answering major scientific and intellectual questions of our time. Research is an integral part of the university's activities and plays a vital role in improving the quality of learning and teaching. Under the 2022 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 70% of research was recognized as world-leading, with outstanding results internationally.

On the basis of each faculty, scientific work is carried out aimed at improving the lives of the local and international population, obtaining applied professional skills by students. The most outstanding study in recent years has been the work on a cure for Covid-19.

Kingston University students can live in a common student residence, which is provided with all the necessary conditions for a comfortable life, recreation and study.

Subject list: Accounting, Architecture, Art, business, Business and management, chemistry, Creative industry, criminology, design, drama, economics, engineering, Filmmaking, geography, Health care, history, Information Technology, International Education, international relations, journalism, law, marketing, maths, media, music, philosophy, Political science, politics, Psychology, Social work, sociology, sports science, theatre studies, TV
Activity list: dancing, Drama, music studio

Kingston University campuses offer infrastructure not only for obtaining quality knowledge, but also for the development of talents and personal skills. Throughout the year, many events are held in the study areas: from scientific seminars with invited specialists, thematic master classes to sports competitions, exhibitions of fine arts, music concerts. Most of the events taking place on campus are supervised by the Student Union.

Students have the opportunity to do their favorite thing or try their hand at a new hobby in more than 90 clubs, thematic communities:

• Islamic Society,
• Architecture, landscape,
• Book Club,
• Christian Union,
• Creative writing,
• Cybersecurity,
• Film Community,
• Crochet, knitting,
• Model UN Society,
• Mountaineering
• Video games, anime, science fiction, board games, and more.

Kingston University's sports infrastructure offers students team, individual training indoors, outdoors. National teams in some sports participate in inter-university, city, regional and national competitions, winning awards and decorating their personal resumes.

• American football
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Cricket
• Dancing
• Cheerleading
• Basketball
• Jujitsu
• Soccer
• Rugby
• Netball
• Rowing
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Boxing and others.

As a graduate of Kingston University, students have access to local club centers that offer classes in unique sports such as gliding, fencing, kayaking, squash, mountaineering and winter sports.

If a student wants to contribute to the development of society, to learn new skills, there are many opportunities for volunteering in the region and abroad. Students can volunteer in their free time: raise money for charity, help local organizations, participate in events and festivals, make creative contributions by taking photos, making a documentary, or developing a website.

• Three Gold Awards in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) along with Oxford, Cambridge,
• One of the top five universities in London in 21 subjects – Guardian University Guide 2023,
• No1 in London, No2 in the UK for the quality of programs in the field of fashion, textiles, psychiatry,
• A multinational student body with more than 5000 foreign students from 140 countries,
• Close cooperation with national, international organizations and universities,
• High percentage of quick employment after graduation,
• 70% of studies rated as world-leading, internationally excellent – REF 2022,
• Four modern campuses near London,
• Extensive opportunities for extracurricular development,
• Scholarship programs that cover part of the cost of tuition.

Kingston University has four study grounds in Kingston upon Thames, one of London's safest neighbourhoods, offering all the benefits of city living in a quiet, green location. Campuses are located in and around the city center, with a free shuttle bus service running between them. With two main train stations, a network of bus routes and major motorways nearby, there are plenty of ways to get to London.

The Penrhyn Road academic site is the university's famous campus, which opened in early 2020 and won the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award 2021. It provides state-of-the-art learning spaces, including a library with over 1000 study seats, flexible learning spaces, an indoor courtyard, cafes, dance studios, rooftop gardens, and attractive landscaping.

Kingston Hill is a beautiful, green place with a mix of modern and historic buildings. On campus there is a café, restaurant and bar, as well as residences, tennis courts, fitness room. The Learning Resource Center includes a café, group study rooms, and bookable meeting spaces. Kingston Business School has a modern, purpose-built building with some of the best business course facilities in the country, including a new business incubation space, a Bloomberg live trading room.

The learning grounds of Kingston School of Art, Knights Park are located on the banks of the river, within walking distance of downtown Kingston and the Penrhyn Road campus. The restaurant and bar are right next to the scenic Hogsmill River, providing the perfect backdrop for breaks between lectures. Here, all students work together in specialized workshops and studios equipped with the latest design software. A wide range of art, design, and architecture resources, an image database, and a large collection of slides are housed in a state-of-the-art learning resource center. The university's own art gallery, Stanley Picker Gallery, where artists, designers, and students present an extensive program of exhibitions and events, is also located on the school of art's campus. The Frank Lample Building has a wide range of practice spaces, simulation rooms, lecture halls, and teaching spaces for health and social care students. The campus is also home to Visconti Studios, created by legendary music producer Tony Visconti, a large performance studio, five recording studios, and two Mac labs.

The Roehampton Vale campus is entirely dedicated to the study of engineering. The academic site is just a short bus ride from downtown Kingston, within walking distance of Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. There are wind tunnels, a number of vehicles and a flight simulator. Specialized premises include a laboratory for the manufacture of composite materials, equipment for testing materials and machines for rapid prototyping, computer modeling technologies. It also has the latest CFD, CAM and CAD software, an embedded systems laboratory with National Instruments equipment. The Learning Resource Center includes engineering resources and databases, a café.

Located in a picturesque location overlooking the Thames and opposite the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, River House is dedicated to the study of art and design. The building is located on the riverside at the edge of downtown, just a short walk from the Penrhyn Road campus and the Kingston School of Art, Knights Park.

The sports infrastructure of the university includes fitness halls, treadmills on campuses. Students have access to several more sites, centers:

• The Tolworth Court sports ground covers an area of more than 20 acres and offers a huge selection of venues, including football and rugby fields, netball and tennis courts, floodlit training grounds. The new pavilion is now a two-storey complex with changing rooms and showers, a café, a bar and a terrace where you can have a snack, relax and meet friends before or after the game.
• The More Energy Fitness Center has its own gym on the Penrhyn Road campus. The equipment of the hall includes areas for cardio training, weight training equipment, aerobics classes, dance studio.

The academic year at Kingston University traditionally lasts from September (end of August) to June. Tuition fees range, depending on the chosen specialty and program.

Pay attention to some additional fees not included in the cost of the programs:

• Teaching aids, books and materials
• Living and eating
• Medical insurance
• Personal pocket expenses
• Air tickets to both sides
• Round trip
• Visa fees and services, consular fees
• Translation of documents, courier delivery.

Applicants will have to go through several registration stages:

• Filling out a detailed questionnaire, providing the required documents,
• Payment of registration fees,
• Passing an interview, possible entrance exams,
• Receiving an official invitation to enroll,
• Making a deposit,
• Arrive at campus to accommodate in a residence, attend orientation events, start your studies.

According to annual statistics, about 95% of Kingston University graduates are employed or continue their academic path within six months of completing their studies.

International applicants wishing to study at Kingston University must have a full package of personal documents, including a passport, health insurance, visa or residence permit. For admission to training programs, higher education, you should also provide:

• Certificate of completion of secondary education, assessment certificates / Bachelor's diploma / Master's diploma (depending on the level of education the candidate is applying to),
• Language test results: IELTS (from 5.0) or equivalent,
• Individual achievements, if any,
• Personal statement, resume.

Some specialties will require a portfolio and work experience.

Kingston University Scholarship Programs reward outstanding students who maintain their excellence in academics, sports, creativity and other extracurricular activities. Scholarships are divided into different areas of merit:

• Faculty – each specialized faculty identifies academically outstanding postgraduate students,
• International – scholarships for first-year students with excellent admission results,
• Scholarships for students from the EU, Ukraine and some other countries,
• Scholarships offering a discount on tuition fees – 10% of the total annual cost for family students, alumni, exchange students.

Government scholarship, grant, credit, and loan programs are also available to international students.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision