Kingston University
A south-west London university best known for Kingston School of Art, with Future Skills built into every degree.
- Students
- 15,980
- International
- 44%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 20.2:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £19,800
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1899
About Kingston
Kingston University began as the Kingston Technical Institute in 1899. The Kingston School of Art separated from the Technical College in 1930, the two merged again as Kingston Polytechnic in 1970, and it became Kingston University in 1992. Today it has more than 20,000 students from 140 countries, on campuses in Kingston upon Thames in south-west London: Penrhyn Road, Kingston Hill, Knights Park and Roehampton Vale.
Teaching is organised into Kingston School of Art and three faculties: Business and Social Sciences; Health, Science, Social Care and Education; and Engineering, Computing and the Environment. The art school is the best-known part, with fashion, illustration, graphic design, architecture and film courses, and past students include architect David Chipperfield and designer Jasper Morrison. The Town House library and learning building at Penrhyn Road won the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2021 and the EU Mies van der Rohe Award.
Kingston is one of 26 UK providers rated Gold in all three TEF categories, and a Future Skills programme runs through every undergraduate course. Typical offers range from 112-128 UCAS points for Computer Science to 128-144 (ABB-AAA) plus a portfolio for Fashion and Architecture, and international students can apply directly as well as through UCAS.
Per Scientiam Progredimur
“Through Learning We Progress” — university motto
Why students choose Kingston
Kingston School of Art is 6th in the UK for fashion and textiles and top 10 for graphic design in the Guardian University Guide 2027.
The Town House building at Penrhyn Road won the RIBA Stirling Prize (2021) and in 2022 became the first university building to win the EU Mies van der Rohe Award.
Every undergraduate course includes Future Skills, with modules such as Future Skills Apply that pair students with a career coach.
Many courses offer an optional professional placement year or a year studying or working abroad.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Kingston does not publish an overall offer rate. Entry is based on UCAS Tariff points, with portfolios for art, design and architecture courses and interviews for some professional courses such as Pharmacy.
Typical entry requirements
| UCAS Tariff / A-levels | 2027 entry: 112-128 points for Computer Science BSc; 120-136 for Psychology BSc (with GCSE Maths grade 4/C) and Illustration Animation BA (e.g. BBB or A*CC); 128-144 for Fashion BA (ABB or AAA in art and design subjects) and Architecture BA (e.g. ABB); Pharmacy MPharm 120-136 with B in Chemistry and another science (2026 entry published) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 27-29 points (Illustration Animation); 28-30 points (Fashion, Architecture) |
| BTEC | DDM Extended Diploma for Psychology, Fashion, Architecture and Illustration Animation; DMM for Computer Science; DDD in Applied Science plus A-level Chemistry for Pharmacy |
| English language | IELTS 6 Undergraduate study requires Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements; applicants from majority English-speaking countries are exempt. Pre-sessional English courses are available. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Deadline for equal consideration for September 2027 entry.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received after this are entered into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027; places depend on availability.
UCAS dates for 2027 entry. Kingston advises UK applicants to apply between September and mid-January; international students can also apply directly.
How to apply
UK students apply through UCAS; international students can apply through UCAS or directly to Kingston. Art and design applicants submit a portfolio (for Architecture, a 15-20 page digital portfolio). International applicants pay at least 50% of the first-year fee before enrolment.
What admissions looks for
- UCAS Tariff points in the published range, with named subjects or grades where required (for example Chemistry at grade B for Pharmacy).
- For art, design and architecture courses, a strong portfolio; Kingston prefers applicants to have completed a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
- For Pharmacy, communication skills, experience, motivation and values shown at a multi-station interview.
- GCSE Mathematics at grade 4/C for courses such as Psychology.
Tips for applying to Kingston
- 1 For Fashion or Illustration Animation, consider a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design first; Kingston calls it the preferred route.
- 2 For Architecture, order your 15-20 page PDF portfolio carefully and show a range of projects.
- 3 International students can skip UCAS and apply directly on the course page, and can apply for the £5,000 International Merit-Based Scholarship once they hold an offer.
- 4 Check the fee table for your course group: international fees are published for every year of the degree and rise each year.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
International students with an offer can apply for the International Merit-Based Scholarship, a £5,000 tuition fee reduction, and students with a family member who studied at Kingston can get a 10% Family Bursary every year. Kingston also runs named scholarships and cost-of-living support for enrolled students.
- £5,000 tuition fee reduction (application required)
- International Merit-Based Scholarship
- 10% off tuition fees every year, for both family members
- Family Bursary (international)
Academics
Academic calendar: Academic year starting in September; credit-based (120 credits a year)
Fashion (BA)
Kingston School of Art course; 6th in the UK for fashion and textiles (Guardian 2027); ABB-AAA plus a portfolio.
Architecture (BA)
Top 3 in London for architecture (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027); 15-20 page portfolio required.
Illustration Animation (BA)
Kingston School of Art course (BBB or A*CC, IB 27-29), with a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design as the preferred route.
Pharmacy (MPharm)
Professional degree with a 30-minute multi-station interview for shortlisted applicants plus enhanced DBS and health checks.
Psychology (BSc)
Includes an Assessment Centre Experience and optional placement year or year abroad; no interview or test needed.
Computer Science (BSc)
112-128 UCAS points with a foundation-year route from 64 points.
Research
- Kingston is consistently ranked in the top 10 UK higher education institutions for start-ups in the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction survey.
- Its Future Skills report 2025, on the skills employers value most, was launched at the House of Commons.
- Kingston acquired Dorich House, the former studio home of sculptor Dora Gordine, in 1995; it is now the Dorich House Museum.
Schools & faculties
- Kingston School of Art
- Faculty of Business and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment
Student life
Kingston is a commuter-friendly university: over 50% of students live at home or off campus, and it provides common-room microwaves, showers and multi-faith spaces for them. First-year full-time students can apply for self-catering halls near campus, booked through a self-selection portal, and an inter-campus bus links the four campuses. The award-winning Town House at Penrhyn Road holds a three-floor library, archive and dance studios, and was designed as a gateway for local residents and businesses as well as students. Adapted rooms are available in halls for wheelchair users and deaf students.
- Town House, winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize 2021 and the EU Mies van der Rohe Award.
- Kingston School of Art fashion students have won prizes at Graduate Fashion Week.
- Inter-campus bus and 24/7 on-call security in halls.
- Dorich House Museum, owned by the university.
Housing. Halls of residence are open to full-time first-year students, allocated through a self-selection booking portal; Kingston does not publish an accommodation guarantee, and booking information for international students is released in late April.
Location
Kingston upon Thames is a historic market town on the River Thames in south-west London, close to the Hogsmill River. Penrhyn Road, the main campus, is close to the town centre, while Kingston Hill and Roehampton Vale are a bus ride away. Kingston's halls also advertise good public transport links to central London.
Nearest airport: London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Notable alumni
- DC David ChipperfieldPritzker Prize-winning architect; graduated from Kingston School of Art in 1976
- JM Jasper MorrisonProduct designer; Bachelor of Design from Kingston Polytechnic, 1982
- TW Tom WrightArchitect of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai; studied at the Kingston school of architecture
- GB Glenda BaileyFormer editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire; fashion design degree
- CM Chris McCauslandComedian and Strictly Come Dancing winner; BSc in Software Engineering, 2000
- BB Ben BarnesActor (Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia); studied English literature and drama
- FB Fiona BannerArtist shortlisted for the 2002 Turner Prize
- EC Eric ClaptonGuitarist; studied at Kingston College of Art for a year (did not graduate)
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for Kingston University?
For 2027 entry, typical offers range from 112-128 UCAS points for Computer Science and 120-136 for Psychology to 128-144 (ABB-AAA) for Fashion and Architecture, which also need a portfolio.
What is Kingston University's acceptance rate?
Kingston does not publish an overall offer rate. Offers are based on UCAS Tariff points, plus portfolios for art and design and interviews for courses such as Pharmacy.
How much are Kingston's fees for international students?
For students starting in 2027/28, first-year international fees are £19,800 to £22,900 depending on the course group, rising each year (for example Psychology is £20,500 in year 1 and £21,300 in year 2).
Can international students apply directly to Kingston?
Yes. International students can apply through UCAS or directly to Kingston on the course page.
When is the Kingston application deadline for 2027 entry?
Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 for equal consideration. Applications up to 30 June 2027 may be considered if places remain; after that they go into Clearing.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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