Location
Kingston is located in the southwest suburbs of London in a town called Kingston upon Thames. Kingston upon Thames is a vibrant riverside town with easy access to surrounding parkland and countryside. It is one of the most pleasant locations in the London area, and the capital’s shopping, restaurants and cultural activities are just 25 minutes away by train. Students often find that Kingston offers the ideal location because they get all the benefits of being in London (such as access to clubs, museums and galleries) without the hassle of living right in the city.
Academics
Students can take courses from the schools listed below. Each school is comprised of various subjects.
- Art, Design and Architecture
- Arts and Social Sciences (including foreign languages, liberal arts, and music)
- British Life
- Business and Law
- Computing, Information Systems, and Mathematics
- Engineering
- Science
Please note: While most courses are open to American visiting students, students cannot take courses from the following disciplines: Health and Social Care Sciences, 3D Design, Fashion, Graphics and Surveying
Kingston requires a minimum 2.8 GPA and students should be prepared to take 4 or 5 courses per semester.
You can find their academic calendar here
Kingston’s Summer Program
Kingston University offers a great summer program that begins in late June and runs through the end of July. Students may take 1 or 2 courses in specific topics. Course topics include British Art and Culture, Museums, Theater, Shakespeare and International Business just to name a few.
Helpful Links
Additional Information
Housing at Kingston
Kingston has a limited amount of accommodation in halls of residence and this is normally allocated to first year students. Visiting students who are attending for the whole year may apply for a room in a residence hall. Most are self-catering single rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens but some en-suite rooms are available at a slightly higher rent. Students are required to sign an agreement for 40 weeks.
Because of the need to sign up for 40 weeks, accommodation in halls is not practical for students attending for a semester, although a few rooms may be available in the spring semester. We recommend “applying for lodgings” or renting a room in a local home within easy travelling distance of campus. You will have a single room and access to a kitchen to prepare your own meals. Kingston’s accommodation office will help students secure lodgings.
Many students would prefer a flat or a bed-sit where there is no resident landlord. Students must rely on their own efforts to find such accommodation. It is scarce and expensive and we do not recommend students to do this. Details of letting agents in the area will be sent to the students on request.
Cost
Students who attend Kingston University pay a reduced rate for tuition and fees from their standard rates and will pay locally for room and meals. These costs will vary depending on the housing option selected.
Student Visa
If you are a US passport holder studying in the UK for 6 months or less you do not need a student visa. Visas are required for students studying in the UK for a full academic year.