Students walking through the campus

Why choose Kingston?

Become successful at Kingston

Kingston upon Thames is a great place for international students to experience life in the UK. A small English town with easy access to bustling central London, Kingston is a place for ambitious students to excel in their careers, whilst enjoying a vibrant student life.

You will start your journey at the International Study Centre, studying with other international students from all over the world. Here, you can discover life in the UK, as well as gaining the necessary skills for a career.

Upon successful completion of your studies at the International Study Centre, you can progress to a degree at Kingston University London.

Why choose Kingston University London?

Kingston University London is much more than a place of education; it will prepare you for employment and life in the future. It is ranked within the top 60 universities in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2025), and is one of most diverse and multicultural universities in the country with students from more than 140 countries.

Offering career-focused courses and excellent teaching, the University is the perfect place for ambitious students with big plans in business. This is why the institution is proud to be considered the number 1 university for graduate start-ups in the UK (Higher Education Statistics Agency figures, 2022).

Kingston University's commitment to high quality teaching, providing an outstanding student experience and supporting its students to achieve successful degree outcomes has been recognised with a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023). The University has not only received an overall rating of Gold – a significant rise from its previous Bronze status – but has also secured a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories. 

The University is based in the beautiful riverside town of Kingston upon Thames. It is a safe, student-friendly town and just 25 minutes from the centre of London, presenting students with easy access to a world capital for business, finance and culture*.

Campus life

Campus life is an important part of Kingston University London. There are four teaching campuses at Kingston, each with its own distinctive character and a range of facilities. Over the last ten years, the University has achieved a lot by investing in the estate and over the next ten years, they hope to continue to improve and transform the campuses.

Penrhyn Road campus is close to Kingston town centre. It is a vibrant campus where you will find the Union of Kingston Students, as well as sports and fitness facilities. The Knights Park campus is located by the River Thames and is home to the University’s art and design programmes.

At Roehampton Vale campus, you will find high-tech labs and specialist engineering equipment, nestled four miles away from the bustle of Kingston town centre. You will begin your journey at the Kingston Hill campus, home to the International Study Centre. This campus is just three miles from the town centre, close to the beautiful Richmond Park. Surrounded by woodland, the international atmosphere here creates a true community feel.

Multicultural welcome 

Kingston University is home to students from over 140 different countries. As well as this international atmosphere on campus, the University’s close proximity to central London allows for you to experience life in the United Kingdom’s most international city.

By studying at Kingston, you will be exposed to more than just the British culture. The University even offers free lessons in nine different languages, so you can develop more academic skills whilst gaining an even deeper multicultural perspective.

Essential workplace experience

Kingston offers a number of degrees which offer practical work experience. In a job market where you need to be better than your competition, work experience with a relevant employer gives a distinct edge to your employability.

Placements give you the chance to:

  • gain relevant practical experience. 
  • discover what the working world is really like.
  • better understand your career options.
  • improve your employment prospects.
  • earn money while you learn.
  • work for global companies, such as Disney, Royal Mail and BT.

Exploring the Enriching Experience at the Kingston International Study Centre

Kingston University students sat in a class

Programmes

We offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, to help prepare you for your degree and make the most of your career.

Kingston University students talking to a tutor

How to apply

See how to apply for a course at the International Study Centre and view the documents you need to provide with your application.

Join us today

Our student enrolment advisors are available to answer your questions and help you with your application. We can’t wait to meet you.