Students who are parents

• Join our flexible Head Start programme to build your confidence before you start at Kingston
• Access your timetable from Welcome Week if you’re a new student, or from August if you’re continuing your studies. Speak to your course leader if you have any questions
• Come to one of our Open Days to help decide if Kingston is the right place for you. You’re welcome to bring your children with you
• Attend some Welcome Week events to meet new people and settle into life as a Kingston University student. We release the schedules in July, so you can plan your childcare accordingly

• Apply for one of our bursaries
• Access additional funds to support you through financial difficulties
• Studying an NHS or social work course? You might be eligible for the NHS Bursaries scheme or a social work bursary
• Get more information on early education and childcare providers in Kingston and Richmond on the Achieving for Children website
• Search local early education and childcare settings on the Childcare search
• If you live in the borough of Kingston upon Thames, you might be eligible for extra funding through the Household Support Fund – find out more on the Kingston Council website
• If you have children and can access Student Finance funding, you might be eligible for additional funding through the Childcare Grant and Parents' Learning Allowance
• Make sure you notify the Department of Work and Pensions if you start a university course while accessing any form of benefits – becoming a full-time student might change your eligibility
• The charity Turn2us has a helpful guide to students' eligibility for benefits

We can’t offer rooms for students with children in halls of residence.

All students can access advice around private renting, living at home and commuting to the University.

Contact our team of dedicated advisers with queries and issues around money and housing by emailing studentfunding@kingston.ac.uk.

• Access a range of wellbeing services from our Health and Wellbeing Team
• If you have a disability, health condition, mental health condition, or Specific Learning Difference (such as dyslexia), you might be able to access additional support from our Disability and Mental Health Team
• Check out the student-run Kingston Students' Union for a range of clubs, societies, events and advice
• Improve your fitness with our Sports and Active Lifestyles Team, which has plenty of opportunities to fit around your studies and caring responsibilities

• Get ready for life after graduation with support from our Careers and Employability Service.
• Be matched with a professional mentor through our Beyond Barriers scheme.
• Sign up to a wide range of flexible extra-curricular activities and events through our KU Extra platform.
• Keen to work part-time alongside your studies? Become a Student Ambassador, or check out our Careers and Employability platform, Handshake, to find more opportunities.

• If unexpected difficulties make it hard for you to complete your studies, you can apply for mitigating circumstances or extensions on your assessments.
• Check out our Academic Support page for a range of support to help you succeed on your course

If you care for a child with additional needs, you can access:

• Help finding and getting support from your local Carers Network through The Carers Trust.
• Free advice through the Carers UK Helpline on 0808 808 7777 (Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm) or by emailing advice@carersuk.org.
• Support through KU Cares if you have unpaid caring duties, are a UK undergraduate and were aged 25 or under when you started your course

Joining us from overseas? Having a child might impact your visa or have other implications. Contact our International Student Office for guidance.