Kingston University official logo

Kingston University

Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom • Founded 1970 • QS 2027 #686 =

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: kingston.ac.uk · How we collect data

Overview

English Name: Kingston University
Acronyms: KUL
Founded: 1970
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #686 = Times Higher Education 2026 #801-1000 SCImago 2026 #1462
Motto: Per Scientiam Progredimur
Mascot: Cougar
Kingston University official logo

Kingston University is a public university in Kingston upon Thames, established in 1899.

It operates across several sites with over 20,000 students from around 140 countries. Teaching spans four academic faculties: Kingston School of Art; Business and Social Sciences; Health, Science, Social Care and Education; and Engineering, Computing and the Environment, covering undergraduate, postgraduate, research and degree-apprenticeship provision.

The university emphasises applied, industry-facing skills development and holds Gold ratings across all three categories of the UK Teaching Excellence Framework, placing it among a small group of providers nationally with that distinction in all categories. Its programmes cover creative arts, business, health and social care, and engineering and computing, with strong employer links and focus on graduate outcomes.

Location & Contact

Address, phone, email, and online links for Kingston University are listed below.

Address: River House 53–57 High Street
Postal Code: KT1 1LQ
Phone: +44 (20) 8417 9000
Fax: +44 (20) 8417 7178

Academic Details

Below are the institutional metrics for Kingston University: scale, staffing, and accreditation.

Academic Year: September to July (September-January; February-July)
Recognition: Privy Council
Admission Requirements: General Certificate of Education (GCE) with passes in 5 approved subjects including at least 2 at Advanced ('A') level or 4 at Advanced Supplementary ('AS') level. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) should normally include English and Mathematics. GNVQ level 3 and at least 3 General Certificate of Secondary Education passes. Relevant access courses or International Baccalaureate at suitable level. Equivalent foreign qualifications
Total Students: 18,815
Female Students: 11,420
Academic Staff Range: 700-799
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) European University Association (EUA) MillionPlus Universities UK

Academic Structures

The academic units through which Kingston University delivers teaching are listed below.

Unit 5 items
  • Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
  • Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Business and Law
  • Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences
  • Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing

Degrees

Also Professional Doctorate 2-3 yrs postgraduate

Doctoral 22 programs
  • Biochemistry
  • Business Administration
  • Chemistry
  • Cinema and Television
  • Design
  • Economics
  • Engineering
  • Film
  • Fine Arts
  • History
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Media Studies
  • Modern Languages
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Writing

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

Art, Design and Architecture (Faculty) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Art History
  • Design
  • Fashion Design
  • Fine Arts
  • Surveying and Mapping
  • Town Planning
Arts and Social Sciences (Faculty) 12 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Acting
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Economics
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Mass Communication
  • Modern Languages
  • Political Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Writing
Business and Law (Faculty) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Business and Commerce
  • Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Information Management
  • Law
  • Marketing
Health, Social Care and Education (Faculty) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Education
  • Health Sciences
  • Midwifery
  • Nursing
  • Radiology
  • Social Work
Science, Engineering and Computing (Faculty) 12 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Applied Chemistry
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Earth Sciences
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Natural Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Sports

Programs Offered

The full set of programmes Kingston University offers is searchable and grouped by level below.

201 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Honours Degree 100 programmes

Showing 10 of 100.

Master of Business Administration 1 programme

Master's Degree 84 programmes

Accounting and Finance MSc
Finance, Banking & Insurance

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Clinical Practice MSc/PgDip
On-campus
Start: September 2026

The typical requirement for this course is a 2:2 or above in an undergraduate honours degree.

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 84.

Doctorate 3 programmes

Foundation 1 programme

Postgraduate Certificate 10 programmes

Early Years Teacher Birth to 5 leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) PGCE
Education & Teaching · On-campus

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Practice Education PgCert
Education & Teaching · On-campus
Start: March 2027

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma 2 programmes

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Funding routes available to students in the United Kingdom are listed below.

Alumni Discount
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 10% tuition fee discount for Kingston University undergraduate alumni progressing to a postgraduate taught, postgraduate research, PGCE or MArch course, applied automatically to the fees invoice.
AVSH Scholarship
University funded · Renewable · 5,000 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Funded by Kingston graduate Gurman Hundal, this award covers all four years' tuition fees (including the placement/sandwich year) plus £5,000 per year of bursary support towards living costs, for a student on Business Management BSc (Hons) or International Business BSc (Hons), with priority given to care-experienced, estranged or young-carer applicants.
Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Family Bursary
University funded · International students · Renewable · Partial Tuition
A 10% tuition fee discount for international students who have a sibling, parent, child or spouse currently or previously enrolled at Kingston University. Both family members can receive the discount if studying at the same time.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
International Merit-Based Scholarship
University funded · International students · 5,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £5,000 reduction towards your first year of tuition fees, awarded to a small number of international students on the strength of their personal statement and video introduction.
International Success Support Scholarship
University funded · International students · Renewable · 2,500 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £2,500 tuition fee reduction applied automatically to eligible international students' fee invoice, without needing to apply separately.
Niloufar Ebrahim Scholarship
University funded · International students · 1,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A tuition fee award of up to £1,000 for an international postgraduate student in the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, selected from applicants to the International Merit-Based Scholarship.
O+T Foundation Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 10,000 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A grant of up to £10,000 per year, for each year of study, to cover living and studying costs such as accommodation, books and equipment for an undergraduate on BSc (Hons) Building Surveying, BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management or BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying. Formerly known as the Chancerygate Foundation Bursary. Cannot be used towards tuition fees.
Postgraduate Progression Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 15% reduction on your postgraduate tuition fees for progressing directly from a Kingston University undergraduate degree into postgraduate study, applied automatically as a credit against your fees invoice.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Study Abroad, Summer School and Exchange Student Bursary
University funded · International students · Renewable · Partial Tuition
A 10% tuition fee discount for international students returning to a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree after previously taking part in a Kingston University Study Abroad, International Summer School, or Exchange programme.
The Kingston Bursary
University funded · 2,000 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A £2,000 cash bursary, paid in three instalments into your UK bank account in your first year, for home fee-status undergraduates starting at Kingston University with a household income of £25,000 or less. At least 500 bursaries are available each year.
The Kingston Impact Scholarship
University funded · International students · 5,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £5,000 tuition fee reduction for self-funded international students joining the Kingston MBA in the September 2026 intake.
The Kingston MBA Scholarship
University funded · International students · 5,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A £5,000 tuition fee reduction (from September 2026 entry) for self-funded international students on the Kingston MBA, applied automatically without a separate application.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to Kingston University

A five-step path through the application process at Kingston University.

  1. 1
    Find a programme that fits your goals

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Kingston University offers 201 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Confirm you meet the requirements

    Each programme at Kingston University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Assemble your application package

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Submit your application

    Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (ucas.com) rather than directly to Kingston University. Postgraduate applicants apply directly through Kingston University's own admissions portal at www.kingston.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Contact admissions and follow up

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (20) 8417 9000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kingston University

Quick answers to common questions about Kingston University.

When did Kingston University open?

Kingston University traces its founding to 1970 (approximately 56 years ago).

What city is Kingston University in?

Kingston University operates from Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom.

What is Kingston University's control type?

Kingston University operates as a public institution.

How big is Kingston University's student body?

Kingston University serves approximately 18,815 students.

Where does Kingston University stand in university rankings?

It ranks QS 2027 #686 =.

What degrees does Kingston University offer?

Kingston University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

How is Kingston University organised academically?

The institution comprises 5 academic units.

Who recognises Kingston University?

Yes, Kingston University is recognised by Privy Council.

Where can I learn more about Kingston University?

Kingston University's official website is www.kingston.ac.uk.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom

When shortlisting in the United Kingdom, students often start with the top-ranked institutions. Below are the national leaders worth comparing against Kingston University, helpful for calibrating where Kingston University sits in the broader landscape.

Members of European University Association (EUA)

Other members of European University Association (EUA) are listed below.

Faculties at nearby universities

The institutions below are geographically close to Kingston University.

Where Else to Study Engineering & Technology

Other institutions in the United Kingdom teaching Engineering & Technology are listed below for comparison with Kingston University.

Universities Compared with Kingston University

These universities are of a comparable scale to Kingston University.

Browse all articles →

Spotted something outdated or missing?

Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.

Explore More Universities in United Kingdom

Free calculators and converters to plan your study-abroad journey.

Latest Articles

Fresh guides and advice for studying abroad.

View all →

Compare Compare