Kingston University

Location: London

20 Gibraltar Students each year

Direct flight from Gibraltar

Kingston University London is a modern, career-focused university based in Kingston upon Thames, a lively town in southwest London. It offers a good balance of city life and green spaces. The university has four campuses and teaches a wide range of courses, including business, engineering, design, health sciences, and the arts.

Teaching is a mix of lectures, seminars, and hands-on projects, with many courses including work placements to help students get real-world experience. Kingston is known for being welcoming to students from all backgrounds and offers strong support services, including a good careers team and extra help for international students.

Entry requirements vary depending on the course, and Kingston is considered less competitive than top London universities. Students benefit from being close to London’s industries, creative hubs, and plenty of things to do.

Uni Website

Transport

Closest Airport with direct flights from Gibraltar

London Heathrow (LHR)

London Heathrow is the closest major airport to Kingston University, located about 30 to 45 minutes away by car, train, or coach.

British Airways operates approximately 11 direct flights per week from Heathrow to Gibraltar, with an average of two flights per day.

The flight time is around 2 hours and 50 minutes, and return tickets typically cost between £65 and £90.

Gatwick Airport is another option, offering direct flights to Gibraltar operated by easyJet. However, it’s further away and takes closer to an hour to reach from Kingston.
Nearest Airport

London Heathrow (LHR)

Luckily, there are no airports closer than Heathrow, so most students at Kingston University use it for their travel needs.

With Heathrow being just a short trip away, it’s the most convenient airport for direct flights to Gibraltar or Málaga.
Transport costs

Medium

Getting around Kingston is fairly affordable. Bus fares within the town are around £2 per trip, and students can enjoy discounts with a valid student ID.

Kingston is well-connected by train to central London, but travel costs can be a bit higher for frequent commutes into the city.

Cycling is also popular due to Kingston’s compact layout and bike-friendly routes, with many students using bikes to explore the town and nearby areas.

For train travel, students can save up to a third with a 16–25 Railcard.

Overall, transport costs in Kingston are moderate, but still lower than in central London.

Going Out

Nightlife

Kingston has a lively student nightlife, especially popular for its riverside bars and affordable clubs.

PRYZM Kingston is the biggest club in the area, with multiple rooms playing different music genres.

Bacchus Late Bar is a favourite for indie, rock, and alternative music fans, offering regular student nights.

The Library Club is popular for themed nights and cheaper drink deals, especially on weekdays.

Hawkers Bar and Brasserie offers a more chilled vibe, with cocktails and live music near the river.

Students also often take quick trips into central London (25–30 min by train) for even more nightlife options.

General costs

Living costs in Kingston are moderate. Students typically spend about £250–£350 per month (excluding rent) on food, transport, and going out.

Kingston is very walkable and has good bus and train links, helping to keep daily transport costs low.

Facilities and Day-to-Day Life

Facilities

Library and Study Spaces: Kingston has well-equipped libraries across its four campuses, including 24/7 study zones at Penrhyn Road. There are also lots of group work areas and computer labs.

Sports and Recreation: The Fitness Centre at Penrhyn Road offers a gym, classes, and sports clubs like football, basketball, and dance. Students can also join recreational leagues.

Laboratories and Research: Kingston is strong in subjects like engineering, business, and health, with modern labs and simulation suites, especially at Kingston Hill and Roehampton Vale campuses.

Cafés and Restaurants: Each campus has cafés and food outlets serving affordable meals, plus a local student pub, The Knights Park Bar.

Students’ Union and Social Spaces: The Union of Kingston Students runs clubs, societies, and frequent events like Freshers’ Fair and student nights across campuses.

Day-to-Day Life

Kingston has a lively riverside town vibe with shops, restaurants, and green spaces like Richmond Park just nearby. Students enjoy walking along the Thames, chilling in cafes, and easy trips into central London (only 30 minutes by train).

Kingston’s bustling Ancient Market, regular art exhibitions at the Stanley Picker Gallery, and live music nights at The Fighting Cocks venue add extra flavour to student life.

Accomodation

The University of Kingston offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different needs and budgets, whether students prefer on-campus convenience or private housing in the town.

On-Campus Accommodation
Living in Kingston’s halls of residence offers easy access to campus facilities and the lively town centre.

Options include En-Suite Rooms (private rooms with bathrooms), Standard Rooms (private rooms with shared bathrooms), Studio Flats (self-contained spaces with kitchens), and Shared Flats (private rooms with shared kitchens and lounges).

All university-run accommodations come with Wi-Fi, heating, study areas, and access to laundry rooms. Prices typically range from £165 to £230 per week depending on the room type and location.

Off-Campus Accommodation
Many students rent privately in Kingston or nearby areas like Surbiton or New Malden. The university’s accommodation service helps students find vetted housing options through trusted listings and advice.

Living off-campus gives students a wider choice of properties, from house shares to individual flats, and lets them enjoy Kingston’s shops, riverside cafes, and live music venues. Students also have flexibility in picking housemates and choosing their preferred neighbourhoods.

Campuses

Kingston University has four main campuses, all located within Kingston upon Thames, around 30 minutes from central London:

Penrhyn Road is the largest campus, home to Business, Social Sciences, Humanities, Computing, and the main library. It’s close to the town centre and the River Thames.
Kingston Hill offers a more relaxed, leafy setting, hosting the Business School, Nursing, and Education faculties, with modern lecture theatres and on-site accommodation.
Knights Park is Kingston’s creative hub, dedicated to Art, Design, Architecture, and Visual Arts, with riverside studios, gallery spaces, and specialist workshops.
Roehampton Vale focuses on Engineering and Aerospace, equipped with state-of-the-art wind tunnels and labs.

The university runs a free inter-campus bus service, and students benefit from a lively town centre full of shops, restaurants, markets, and riverside pubs.

What do Gibraltar students say about this University?

“Study the course, look into nearby accommodation, and prep some topics before the year begins – it really helps.”

3rd Year Student, Computer science

Kingston University

Transport

Closest Airport with direct flights from Gibraltar

Nearest Airport

Transport costs

Going Out

Facilities and Day-to-Day Life

Accomodation

Campuses

What do Gibraltar students say about this University?

Contact Gibraltar Students at Kingston University