FAQs for new students

Answers to frequently asked questions

We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions by new students below. You can also ask our friendly KU ChatBot anything you need to know, just click on the pink icon at the bottom of the screen. If you have further questions and want to get in touch, email us at welcome@kingston.ac.uk.

Accommodation

When can I move into my student accommodation?

Your halls licence will indicate your expected move-in date. For more information about moving in see our Halls Licence and Student Halls Guide.

How do I book a room?

Kingston University halls of residence are now fully booked. If you want to be added to our waiting list in case a room becomes available, please contact the accommodation team on accommodation@kingston.ac.uk or phone 020 8417 7311.

See our accommodation web pages for more information on our halls of residence or how to secure private accommodation.

How do I pay my rent?

Your halls licence will indicate when the first instalment of rent is due. The most common way to pay halls fees is through instalments, provided you have set up a Recurring Card Payment Instruction (RCP) using an International or UK-issued bank card. (Please note, if you are from the USA and will be fully funding your studies with Federal Student Loans, do not set up an RCP as your hall fees will be deducted from your loans.)

For more information about how to do this see our accommodation costs web page.

Is there parking in my halls of residence?

We have limited free parking in most of our halls of residence (except 75 Penrhyn Road and Seething Wells). You can speak to your site team at reception about parking upon arrival.

What essentials do I need to bring with me?

Halls at Kingston University are well equipped, so there is no need to pack absolutely everything. Here you'll find details of what's provided in halls and suggestions for what to bring when you move in.

If you're travelling from afar and need bedding and kitchen equipment, it's important to note that there are a limited number of local stores with limited stock available on arrivals weekend. You can avoid the hassle of shopping by pre-ordering from our friends at UniKitOut. Your pack will then be delivered to your residence before you even arrive, making settling into your new environment a breeze. And don't forget to use the promo code KINGSTON10 for a 10% discount.

Enrolment

When can I enrol?

Online enrolment opens on Wednesday 11 December 2024 for courses that start in January 2025. For full details about the enrolment process see our enrolment webpages.

If you haven't received an invitation to enrol, please contact the Enrolment Hotline on 0800 048 2484, or +44 20 7206 4174 if calling from outside the UK.

How do I complete my enrolment?

Enrolment is the process you need to complete in order to become an official Kingston University student. There are several steps to complete, which you can find more information on our enrolment webpages.

What identity documents do I need to provide?

For full details on the identification process see our enrolment webpage.

UK and EU students can provide either:

One item from the following: passport; UK photographic driving licence; Citizen Card or other form of identity with the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) approved hologram; Kingston University ID Card; EU Identity Photographic Card.
Or, two items from the following (which collectively should contain your date of birth and photographic ID): birth certificate; UK bank card; National Insurance card; National Health Service card; EU medical card (EHIC); SLC final assessment form/schedule of payments; original qualification certificates; Inland Revenue photographic registration card; UK FE/HE photographic student ID card; staff photographic ID card; international photographic driving licence.

Non-UK/EU nationals must provide:

The original valid passport that you may have uploaded to OSIS earlier (if the Home Office is holding this, an official Home Office letter may be acceptable instead).

Where can I find my OSIS password?

You will have received an email from us with your username (Kingston University ID) and password to log into OSIS, our applicant and student portal, when you first applied to Kingston University. This will also appear in any emails we send you about your enrolment.

If you experience any problems with OSIS, please log an enquiry with the University's IT Service Desk, providing your name, Kingston University ID and information about the problem you are having. Or you can contact them (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm) via 020 8417 3355.

You are able to access your induction timetable from December 2024, by clicking on the Welcome banner on the KU app.

If you think you will arrive later than Monday 13 January, you'll need to contact latestarters@kingston.ac.uk. Further information on late arrivals will be added during Welcome Week.

Where do I get my student ID card?

Once you have fully enrolled you will be invited to book a slot to have your ID card printed at one of our Libraries.
If you would like to change your ID card image you need to contact our IT Service Desk to have the image removed so you can upload another image

Fees and funding

How and when do I pay my fees?

You must confirm how you intend to pay for your course before you enrol to study. View our pre-enrolment payment checklist for more details.

International students will need to pay a minimum of 50% of your course fees in cleared funds prior to enrolment.

What payment options are available to me if I am not getting an undergraduate tuition fee loan?

Before your enrolment can be completed you'll need to have organised how you'll be paying for your tuition fees.

See our online guide on how to pay your fees to find out the different payment options available.

I haven't applied for my undergraduate student loan yet – can I still apply?

Don't worry if you missed the full-time undergraduate student finance deadline. You can still apply and get some money in time for the start of your course.

See gov.uk for step-by step guidance on what to do next.

I haven't applied for my postgraduate student loan yet – can I still apply?

Home students can still apply for a postgraduate loan. You need to apply within nine months of the first day of the last academic year of the course. See gov.uk for step-by step guidance on what to do next.

I need help with my student finance application. Who can I ask?

You can make an appointment with a money advisor in the Student Life team. Please see their money and funding advice webpage for details on how to make an appointment.

What payment options are available to me if I am not getting an undergraduate tuition fee loan?

If you're ineligible for a student loan or do not wish to take funding out, you'll be responsible for paying the tuition fee yourself.

You can either make payment in full to complete enrolment, or you can set up a Recurring Card Payment instruction (RCP) to pay by instalment.

Please see our Money Matters guides for full information.

Your timetable and course induction

When does my course start?

All students are expected to arrive in time for Welcome Week and Induction, which starts on Monday 13 January 2025. You should check your course induction schedule for the specific dates for your course.

How can I find my course timetable?

You'll be able to access your teaching timetable once you're enrolled and assigned to your modules. You'll be able to view your personal teaching timetable via MyTimetable or using the KU app and also in SEAtS (Check in App).

Depending on your course, it may take up to 48 hours (not including weekends) for you to see your full timetable. It may take time for the full timetable to emerge as you are added to modules.

Watch this short video on our YouTube channel showing how our timetabling system can help you manage your University and personal schedule.

When can I see my timetable?

After completing your online enrolment (which opens on Wednesday 11 December), your individual teaching timetable for the first teaching block will start to emerge – it may take a little time, as you are added to each module. Your full teaching timetable should be fully published before Welcome Week begins.

Where can I find my course induction schedule?

Your course induction schedule shows all your compulsory course induction activity. It is different from your teaching timetable. Your course induction schedule will be available to view on the Welcome section of the KU App from early December 2024.

Do I have to attend my course induction?

Yes, course induction sessions are mandatory as they form a key part of your introduction to the course and the University.

Disability and mental health support

I have a disability; how do I access support?

Our disability and mental health advisers co-ordinate support arrangements and resources to enable students with disabilities to benefit fully from their time at Kingston University. Students with long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, physical or sensory impairments and specific learning differences, such as dyslexia, are all entitled to support.

Email the disability team on disability@kingston.ac.uk or call +44 (0)20 8417 7314 to discuss how we can support you.

International Students

Arriving in a new country can be exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. We've put together all the pre-arrival information you need to help you prepare.

For even more information, check out our Arrivals and orientation section.

How do I request a CAS number?

You can request your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) number via the Online Student Information System (OSIS). This can be done up to six months prior to your course start date, if you've accepted an unconditional offer and uploaded all your supporting documents. See our webpage on CAS requests for a list of the documents you need to provide to request your CAS.

After our CAS team has checked your supporting documents, and you have approved your draft CAS, you will receive a copy of your final CAS statement by email (the CAS statement is a paperless 'e-document'). This will usually be within 10 working days but can take up to 15 working days during peak times.

Is there a taxi pick-up service?

We subsidise the cost of a taxi, meaning you will pay a discounted rate of £20* per person for any journey from Heathrow and Gatwick airport, or £30** per person from St. Pancras International, to the Kingston area.

See our Arrivals and orientation page for details on how to book.

*Standard taxi rate from Heathrow/Gatwick Airport to the Kingston area is approximately £50 depending on the time of travel.

**Standard taxi rate from St. Pancras International to the Kingston area is approximately £70 depending on the time of travel.

Can I open a bank account before I arrive in the UK?

To open most UK bank accounts, you normally need to be a UK resident first. For information about what documents you'll need to open an account, visit our Money Matters page.

Why do I need to complete an ID check?

The Government requires us to check every student's identity. This year we are completing these checks virtually, to avoid queues, by matching the identity document that you uploaded against your ID card photo.

I am having difficulties uploading a document or image for my ID check. Can you help?

If you are having problems uploading a document to complete your ID check please log an IT Service Desk enquiry through our IT service desk portal or via the KU mobile app.

You can also contact our IT service desk by telephone or online chat. Please have your K number ready when you contact the team (e.g. K123456).

Travel and parking

How can I travel between campuses?

Our free intersite bus service connects you to all four of our campuses and, importantly, to Kingston and Surbiton train stations. Plus, there are live updates on the Kingston University app so you don't have to worry about missing one!

Can I park on campus?

At Kingston Hill, parking is only available to students if Kingston Hill is your main campus of study. You can apply for a free ‘Kingston Hill' parking permit via My Kingston (our student portal) once you have completed your enrolment.

Student parking is not available at our Penrhyn Road, Knights Park or Roehampton Vale campuses during core working hours (7.30am to 4.30pm). However, outside these hours students can apply for a free ‘Evening' parking permit and use the limited parking at Penrhyn Road, Knights Park, Roehampton Vale and Kingston Hill campus on a first-come, first-served basis.

You will be required to hold a valid parking permit or risk receiving a penalty. You can apply for a free parking permit via the My Kingston student portal once you have completed your enrolment.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at carparking@kingston.ac.uk.

Welcome events

Where can I find details of Welcome events?

Get the lowdown on all the exciting events that are in store for students on the first week at Kingston, on our Welcome Week webpage.

Your Welcome and Induction explained

Follow our steps to find out everything you need to do (and when), before you join us:

1. Read the pre-arrival checklist

Make sure you're ready to join us by reading our handy checklist of things to do before you arrive.

Get started

2. Complete your enrolment

The most important thing you need to do to become an official Kingston student is to enrol.

How to enrol

3. Attend Welcome and Induction Week

Get the lowdown on what's in store for you on your first week at Kingston.

Plan your week

Help and advice

Whether you have a specific a question to ask or just want to speak to someone who's been there done that, we're here to help.

Ask KUBot for instant answers to your burning questions

Ask our friendly KU ChatBot anything you need to know, just click on the pink icon at the bottom of the screen.

FAQs for new students

Get answers now to the questions most frequently asked by new students.

If you have further queries and want to get in touch, email us at welcome@kingston.ac.uk.

Speak to a current student

Start a convo and chat with our current students to find out all about what life is really like at Kingston!

Useful information

Browse the pages below to find more useful information – we'll be updating this information throughout the year, so be sure to bookmark this page for more useful information.