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Kingston living

A Riverside Student Town with Londonon the Doorstep.

Kingston upon Thames offers students something quite different from studying in central London. Although it sits within Greater London, a historic riverside, pedestrianised town centre and relaxed atmosphere give it the feel of an independent market town that many students find easy to settle into.

Home to Kingston University, the town combines excellent transport links into Central London but manages to be a more affordable with a community focused lifestyle. This means students can enjoy the best bits of being in a capital without living in the middle of it. This makes Kingston particularly attractive to those looking for balance between university life, work opportunities and social life.

Kingston is compact enough that many students quickly become familiar with the town centre, riverside and campus locations. You'll often find yourself bumping into course mates while walking through the Market Place or along the Thames, which gives everything a more human touch.

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Kingston, at a Glance

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    student life

    Student life Here

    Kingston moves fast, but you'll never move alone.

    A group of people are gathered around a table in a room with a brick wall and plants.
    student life

    Student Accommodation in Kingston.

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    student life

    Where Are The Best Places to Live?

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    student life

    What's student life like?

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    Culture

    What makes Kingston tick?

    History runs deep, but the city keeps moving forward.

    Kingston living

    Everyday Student Life

    Life in Kingston revolves around three main places … the university campuses, the town centre and the riverside.

    Most students spend their weekdays moving between lectures, cafés, libraries and the shops around Clarence Street before heading down to the river in the afternoon or meeting friends in one of the town's pubs and restaurants.

    Because Kingston isn't overwhelming in size, daily life feels relatively easy. Most errands can be completed on foot, supermarkets are centrally located and many students rarely need public transport within the town itself.

    Weekends often involve exploring nearby Richmond Park, taking the train into Central London, visiting Hampton Court Palace or simply spending time around the riverside cafés and bars.

    Kingston feels busy during university term time but its rarely chaotic, which gives students a balance between city convenience and a more relaxed pace of life.

    A group of people walking on a street with a cyclist in the background.
    Kingston living
    Student Accommodation in Kingston

    Kingston University offers university managed halls across several sites, with many first year students choosing to live in university-run accommodation or private halls to help settle into university life and meet new people.

    Accommodation Type Include

    • University halls
    • Shared student houses
    • Private apartments
    • Purpose-built student accommodation
    Where Are The Best Places to Live?

    Best Places to Live in Kingston as a Student

    Where you choose to live can have a big impact on your experience at Kingston University.

    Some students prioritise walking to lectures and live in the centre, others choose quieter residential neighbourhoods or slightly cheaper housing further out. Kingston has several campuses, and the best location often depends on whether you are at Penrhyn Road Campus, Kingston Hill Campus, Knights Park Campus or Roehampton Vale Campus.

    Lewes Road:

    Lewes Road is one of the most student-dense parts of Kingston. It connects the city centre with both Sussex and Kingston campuses, which makes it practical.

    You’ll find constant bus routes, supermarkets (Aldi, Sainsbury’s), takeaways and pubs. It’s functional rather than picturesque. Traffic is heavy, and the main road can feel noisy.

    Housing is typically older terraced houses converted into student rentals. Quality varies significantly. Some are well-maintained. Others are cramped, poorly insulated and expensive for what they are.

    The benefit is location. You’re well-connected to both universities and nightlife. The downside? It’s busy, loud and rarely feels calm.

    Kingston Town Centre:

    The town centre is the most convenient location for many students, particularly those studying at Penrhyn Road or Knights Park.

    Living here means shops, restaurants, gyms, supermarkets, cafés and nightlife are all within a few minutes' walk. Most accommodation consists of modern student developments, apartments and converted flats rather than traditional student houses.

    The biggest advantage is convenience. Most students rarely need buses and can easily walk between university buildings and everyday amenities. The downside is cost. Accommodation here is generally among the most expensive in Kingston, and it can become busy during weekends because of shoppers and visitors.

    Best for:

    • Students wanting everything within walking distance.
    • First year students (the town centre gives first year students the easiest introduction to university life because almost everything they need is within walking distance, so settling in and meeting people is easy.
    • Students without cars.

    Things to consider:

    • Higher rent.
    • Busier environment.
    • More apartments than shared houses.
    Surbiton:

    Surbiton is one of the most popular places for second and third-year students. It us just one train stop from Kingston or around 20 minutes on foot, with quieter residential streets, larger shared houses and slightly better value than the town centre. Surbiton has enough going on that you can easily find things to do.  Surbiton High Street has independent cafés, pubs, supermarkets and restaurants, or you can always get the fast trains to London Waterloo in under 20 minutes.

    Many students enjoy the balance between quieter living and easy access to university.

    Best for:

    • Shared student houses.
    • Better value accommodation
    • Quieter lifestyle.

    Things to consider:

    • Slightly longer commute.
    • Less nightlife than Kingston town centre.
    Norbiton:

    Norbiton sits immediately east of Kingston and is particularly convenient for students studying at Penrhyn Road Campus.

    Housing is mainly made up of Victorian terraces and semi-detached homes converted into student accommodation. Rent is often slightly lower than the town centre, but it's still possible to walk to lectures.

    The area feels suburban, with local supermarkets and smaller shops meeting most day-to-day needs.

    Best for:

    • Walking to campus.
    • Affordable shared housing.
    • Residential atmosphere.

    Things to consider:

    • Limited nightlife.
    • Smaller selection of cafés and restaurants.
    Kingston Hill:

    Kingston Hill surrounds Kingston University's Kingston Hill Campus and is much greener and quieter than the town centre. It sits close to Richmond Park and offers a more campus-focused environment.

    Students studying Business, Nursing and some Health subjects often choose to live nearby because it reduces commuting.

    The main compromise is distance from Kingston's nightlife, although regular buses connect the campus with the town centre.

    Best for:

    • Kingston Hill students.
    • Green surroundings.
    • Quieter living.

    Things to consider:

    • Further from nightlife.
    • More bus journeys.
    Hampton Wick:

    Located just across the river, Hampton Wick offers a quieter village atmosphere but it is still  within walking distance of Kingston centre. Students living here enjoy riverside walks, independent cafés and quick access to both Bushy Park and Kingston town centre.

    Housing tends to be smaller flats and shared houses, with rents similar to Kingston itself.

    Best for:

    • Riverside living.
    • Quieter atmosphere.
    • Easy access to green space.

    Things to consider:

    • Smaller student community.
    • Higher rents
    Why Location Matters

    Kingston University's campuses are spread across the town rather than concentrated in one location.

    Choosing accommodation close to your main campus can significantly reduce commuting time and transport costs. At the same time, many students balance convenience against rent prices, nightlife and access to London.

    Because Kingston is highly walkable, many students find they can live without owning a car throughout university.

    1. Penrhyn Road Campus (Main Campus): This is the university's largest and most central campus, located just a few minutes' walk from Kingston town centre. For most students, Penrhyn Road is considered the heart of university life because many societies, events and student services are based here.

    2. Kingston Hill Campus: Located around 2 miles from the town centre, next to Richmond Park, Kingston Hill has a much greener, campus-style atmosphere.The campus has halls of residence, cafés, sports facilities, outdoor fitness equipment and its own learning resources centre, giving it a more traditional campus feel than Penrhyn Road.

    3. Knights Park Campus (Kingston School of Art): Situated beside the Hogsmill River and only a short walk from the town centre, Knights Park is home to the renowned Kingston School of Art. The campus has specialist studios, workshops and exhibition spaces, with a creative atmosphere that's quite different from the university's other campuses.

    4. Roehampton Vale Campus: Located around 4 miles from Kingston town centre, Roehampton Vale is the university's specialist engineering campus.

    Kingston living

    What's Student Life Like?

    Student life in Kingston combines many of the benefits of London with the atmosphere of a much smaller town.

    Students enjoy access to world-class museums, concerts and career opportunities in Central London while returning each evening to a quieter environment centred around the university and the riverside.

    The Students' Union runs hundreds of clubs, sports teams and societies throughout the year, helping students quickly build friendships outside their course.

    A cityscape with a river running through it.
    Kingston living
    Social Life and Nightlife in Kingston

    Kingston's nightlife punches well above what you'd expect from a town this size, and it's been given a serious boost recently.

    Circuit opened in 2025 as Kingston's newest and biggest nightclub, it’s a 1,400-capacity venue across two rooms with free entry before 11pm every Wednesday. The club immediately became a focal point for student nights, alongside the longer-established McClusky's, Kingston's original student night venue, which has run its Wednesday 'I Love Wednesdays' student night longer than any other club in the town." Bacchus Late Bar on Union Street keeps the party going seven nights a week until 3am, featuring DJs and live music across a wide range of genres. Circuit Club + 2

    For something with more history behind it, The Fighting Cocks is one of the UK's oldest surviving music venues. It’s described by locals as simply their favourite gig venue in the UK, giving a friendly atmosphere and a programme that spans well beyond the mainstream. Stein's on the riverside offers something completely different: a Bavarian beer garden on the Thames, busy from spring through to autumn and one of the few genuinely outdoor drinking spots in the area.

    The Druids Head in Market Square is the oldest pub in Kingston, a Grade II listed building dating from the early 16th century, with a 2-for-1 deal on drinks Monday to Thursday. For craft beer, 7000 Jars of Beer on Crown Passage is Kingston's first independent bottle shop and taproom, stocking independent breweries from across the UK. OneLivingOneLiving

    When students want something bigger, London is the answer… and the last trains back from Waterloo mean a night in Brixton, Shoreditch or Soho doesn't need an overnight stay. The local scene handles the midweek and casual; London handles the headline acts.

    Kingston living

    What's the City Like?

    Kingston doesn't feel like London, and that's the point.

    It sits in a rare position within Greater London, officially part of the capital, yet closer in feel to a historic Surrey market town than an inner-city borough, which most students notice within the first week. The pace drops. The streets are walkable, and people make eye contact.

    The Market Place has been in continuous use for over 800 years and remains the heart of the town, surrounded by Tudor and Georgian buildings and filled with market stalls selling food, crafts and fresh produce. That history gives Kingston a texture that newer student cities simply don't have. 

    Kingston doesn’t feel like a generic London postcode. It has a recognisable centre, a market square, independent cafés, and riverside pubs used by locals rather than tourists. This identity is why satisfaction levels remain high - most people who move to Kingston do not leave unless their lifestyle changes significantly.

    A cityscape with a river running through it.
    Kingston living
    Life Along The Thames

    The river is the backbone of daily life here in a way that's hard to fully appreciate until you're living it.

    Unlike in central parts of London, the Thames feels accessible. You can sit right by the water without battling crowds. Rowing clubs still train on the water, and small boats regularly pass through, giving the area a steady, unhurried rhythm. 

    Kingston's High Street runs parallel to the Thames, so many restaurants spill out onto the riverbank in summer, offering riverside dining with great views. This means that at the weekend, the stretch from Kingston Bridge down through Canbury Gardens shifts into a completely different gear.

    What Locals Actually Say

    The clearest picture of what Kingston is like comes from the people living there.

    Locals describe it as "a very friendly town, where you'll find lots of youngsters, families and elderly a very good atmosphere." Many residents say there's simply no need to go into central London to have fun, pointing to the cinema, Bentalls, the market, and the riverside as everything they need on a typical week. 

    The town has a steady hum rather than sharp peaks of activity. At weekends, Kingston switches personality with a busy shopping centre, bustling riverside pubs and parks that become social spaces rather than just green shortcuts. In summer, Canbury Gardens and the Thames Path are packed with families, runners and dog walkers. In winter, cafés and pubs become the social hubs. It's lively, but not chaotic. Think more "busy town" than "London rush". 

    Another recurring theme from students who've lived here: Kingston feels safer and calmer than many London zones, with fewer distractions, making it easier to focus on studies without feeling cut off. That's backed by the data (Kingston was ranked the third safest London borough in 2025.)

    Pride And Inclusivity

    Kingston's has a positive attitude to LGBTQ+ inclusion that goes beyond university messaging and runs through the town itself.

    Every June, the Progress Flag is raised above the Guildhall for the first week of Pride Month.  Pride in Kingston is a community created, three-day festival celebrating through performance and creativity with a  grassroots vibe. It has  a noticeably different energy from larger corporate-sponsored city events. Kingston CouncilKingston Council

    Kingston LGBTQ+ Forum is a registered charity run entirely by unpaid volunteers, organising everything from monthly coffee mornings to pub quizzes, film screenings, a queer fiction book group and free yoga sessions. The Forum runs regular social events and cultural projects for LGBT+ residents in Kingston. For students new to town, it's a ready made community that's easy to step into. KingstonlgbtforumKingston Council

    At the university, the LGBTQIA+ & Allies Society is free to join and hosts events throughout the year, sitting within the Students' Union's formal Liberation structure. The university marks LGBT+ History Month each February, with the society providing what they describe as a safe space to meet other LGBT+ students and people. The Students' Union also organises marching as a group at London Pride each year. Kingstonstudents + 2

    For anything bigger, London's full LGBTQ+ scene in Soho, Vauxhall and Dalston is less than 30 minutes by train. Kingston handles the everyday community; London handles the rest.

    International & Independent Flavours

    Kingston's food scene is as good as you would expect for something near London, and most of it is within walking distance of campus.

    The Ancient Market in the town centre is the best starting point for budget eating, you will find everything from Indian curries to Vietnamese pho, with most dishes coming in under £10. It's where students tend to eat regularly rather than occasionally as it’s quick, varied and easy on the wallet. The Student Room

    Beyond the market, the range of independent restaurants is impressive for a town this size. Cappadocia has been serving award-winning Turkish cuisine since 2001 and is a local institution. Giggling Squid specialises in Thai cuisine crafted by Thai chefs, while Comptoir Libanais on Riverside Walk covers Lebanese and Middle Eastern. 36 Streets, tucked inside the Griffin Centre off Market Street, is a Vietnamese hidden gem known for its pho and wok-fried noodles. Prestige Student Living + 2

    Sticks'n'Sushi and Wagamama both have Kingston outposts for reliable Asian dining, while Franco Manca handles the pizza end of the budget bracket. For something with more character, The Grey Horse - SMOK'D is a smokehouse two minutes from Kingston station, known for slow-cooked meats, an extensive whisky collection and a speakeasy arts venue underneath called Ram Jam Records. OpenTable

    The riverside adds its own dimension. Côte on Riverside Walk offers French dining with views across the Thames and Hampton Court Park, while Stein's Bavarian beer garden is the go-to when the weather is on your side. When it's not, the town centre has enough cafés and independents to keep you occupied without ever needing to repeat yourself. OpenTable

    Culture & Music Heritage

    Kingston's music history is far deeper than most students realise when they first arrive - and it's still being written.

    From the 1950s onwards, the Kingston Art School student population provided a captive audience for live music as new sounds drifted in from America. The Fighting Cocks established itself as a hotspot for warm-up gigs and jam sessions for bands including The Yardbirds, while the nearby Toby Jug pub hosted early performances from Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and Captain Beefheart. When the famous Eel Pie Island jazz club closed in 1967, it was Kingston Polytechnic's Students' Union that took over - hosting Queen, The Smiths, New Order and Genesis at some of their earliest gigs. Kingston also produced homegrown talent that went on to world acclaim, including Eric Clapton. Creative Youth

    That heritage is alive today thanks to two institutions. The Fighting Cocks on Old London Road is one of the UK's oldest surviving grassroots music venues, and it’s consistently packed, consistently relevant, and the kind of place where you might see tomorrow's headline act tonight. 

    Banquet Records has spent 20 years as Kingston's main cultural export to the rest of London, with fans from across the city travelling for gigs and records. The store has won Music Week's Independent Retailer of the Year award multiple times and has hosted major artists including Billie Eilish, Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Gorillaz for shows in and around Kingston. Culturecalling

    For anything bigger, London is 30 minutes away with massive venues like the O2, Brixton Academy, Wembley and every major festival within reach without needing to relocate.

    Museums, Galleries And Creative Spaces

    Kingston's cultural infrastructure is unusually strong for a town its size,  and much of it is free.

    Stanley Picker Gallery sits on an island by the Hogsmill River at Knights Park Campus, forming part of Arts Council England's National Portfolio and running up to four major exhibitions per year, including newly commissioned work through its annual Fellowship programme. Admission is free for students, and the gallery offers volunteer and paid assistant roles. Recent programmes have ranged from immersive sound art to community architecture projects. Stanleypickergallery, Kingston University

    Also connected to Kingston University is Dorich House Museum on Kingston Hill, a Grade II listed former home of sculptor Dora Gordine, housing the world's largest collection of her work alongside an exceptional selection of Russian art. It's the kind of place that rewards a wander rather than a structured visit. Stanleypickergallery

    Kingston Museum is in the town centre and covers the area's history from its Saxon roots, with a significant collection dedicated to Eadweard Muybridge, the Victorian pioneer photographer who pioneered motion pictures and grew up in Kingston. Hampton Court Palace is a short bus ride, or riverside walk away, and it's a truly stunning Tudor palace.

    For creative students who need London's scale, the infrastructure is there. Tate Modern, the V&A, Somerset House and the Design Museum are all under 40 minutes by train… close enough to treat as a regular resource rather than an occasional trip.

    Festivals And Community Events

    Throughout the year Kingston hosts food festivals, riverside events, Christmas markets, cultural celebrations and community fairs.

    The annual Kingston Carnival and riverside activities help create a lively atmosphere beyond university life.

    Outdoor Spaces & Waterfront Living

    One of Kingston's biggest strengths is its access to green space.

    Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Home Park and the Thames Path all provide beautiful outdoor areas for studying, exercising or relaxing.

    The riverside becomes one of the town's busiest social spaces during warmer months, with students gathering along the water, hiring paddleboards or simply enjoying outdoor cafés.

    How Will I Stay Supported?

    Moving away from home can feel daunting, but Kingston offers a strong support network through both the university and the local community.

    Academic advisers, wellbeing services, peer mentoring and Students' Union activities all help students settle into university life, while the town's manageable size makes accessing support straightforward.

    Wellbeing & Student Support

    Support at Kingston University is genuinely layered and there's something in place to support students in most situations.

    The university offers one-to-one counselling by appointment or drop-in, an on campus NHS surgery at Penrhyn Road providing general health consultations, and complementary therapies including osteopathy, massage and reflexology. Confidential drop-in sessions are available for students who want to talk through concerns quickly, alongside stress and time management workshops and an online library of self-help guides covering everything from anxiety and bereavement to eating disorders and sleep. Kingston University

    The university's Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework is consistent with the Student Minds University Mental Health Charter (a whole-university approach that goes beyond reactive support to actively reduce the conditions that lead to poor mental health in the first place). Kingston University

    The Disability and Mental Health Service supports students with physical impairments, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions and specific learning differences such as dyslexia - with registration kept entirely confidential and never appearing on transcripts or references. Kingston University

    For students arriving from outside the UK, the town itself adds another layer. GP surgeries, pharmacies and NHS walk-in services are all within easy reach of the main campuses. Kingston was ranked the third safest London borough in 2025, and that sense of personal safety makes a genuine difference to day-to-day wellbeing in ways that are hard to quantify but easy to feel. Kingstonisc

    Staying Active: Indoors and Outdoors

    Few student towns in the south make staying active this easy or this affordable.

    The Fitness Centre at Penrhyn Road is a 65-station gym with a full studio offering classes from Pilates to Bollywood dancing, staffed by experienced trainers and offering personal training and sports massage. The facility recently underwent a major refurbishment under a new partnership with Lifestyle Fitness, adding a dedicated strength and conditioning area, enhanced recovery zones and fully upgraded studios. The university also has 55 acres of outdoor sports facilities at Tolworth Court, covering football, rugby, netball, cricket, American football and lacrosse. Kingston University

    Beyond campus, options are plentiful and genuinely student priced. The Gym Group on Eden Street is open 24 hours, seven days a week, with student memberships available (its very popular among students who prefer training outside peak hours). The YMCA in Surbiton offers monthly student memberships inclusive of yoga and Pilates classes. The Student Room

    Did we mention Kingston is on the Thames... home to the most famous boat race in the world!  The Kingston University Rowing Club trains up to four times a week, on the water and in the gym, welcoming all abilities and offering the chance to compete at regattas. The river also draws students to paddleboarding and kayaking through the warmer months, with hire available along the Kingston stretch of the Thames. Kingston University

    Outdoors, the options are exceptional even by London standards. Richmond Park and Bushy Park offer miles of running and cycling routes through genuinely wild green space. The Thames Path connects Kingston to Teddington in one direction and Hampton Court in the other giving you flat, traffic-free and usable year-round exercise.

    Kingston living

    How Will I Stay Supported?

    Moving away from home can feel daunting, but Kingston offers a strong support network through both the university and the local community.

    Academic advisers, wellbeing services, peer mentoring and Students' Union activities all help students settle into university life, while the town's manageable size makes accessing support straightforward.

    A group of students are studying together in the Student Success Center.
    Wellbeing & Student Support

    Support at Kingston University is genuinely layered and there's something in place to support students in most situations.

    The university offers one-to-one counselling by appointment or drop-in, an on campus NHS surgery at Penrhyn Road providing general health consultations, and complementary therapies including osteopathy, massage and reflexology. Confidential drop-in sessions are available for students who want to talk through concerns quickly, alongside stress and time management workshops and an online library of self-help guides covering everything from anxiety and bereavement to eating disorders and sleep. Kingston University

    The university's Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework is consistent with the Student Minds University Mental Health Charter (a whole-university approach that goes beyond reactive support to actively reduce the conditions that lead to poor mental health in the first place). Kingston University

    The Disability and Mental Health Service supports students with physical impairments, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions and specific learning differences such as dyslexia - with registration kept entirely confidential and never appearing on transcripts or references. Kingston University

    For students arriving from outside the UK, the town itself adds another layer. GP surgeries, pharmacies and NHS walk-in services are all within easy reach of the main campuses. Kingston was ranked the third safest London borough in 2025, and that sense of personal safety makes a genuine difference to day-to-day wellbeing in ways that are hard to quantify but easy to feel. Kingstonisc

    Staying Active: Indoors and Outdoors

    Few student towns in the south make staying active this easy or this affordable.

    The Fitness Centre at Penrhyn Road is a 65-station gym with a full studio offering classes from Pilates to Bollywood dancing, staffed by experienced trainers and offering personal training and sports massage. The facility recently underwent a major refurbishment under a new partnership with Lifestyle Fitness, adding a dedicated strength and conditioning area, enhanced recovery zones and fully upgraded studios. The university also has 55 acres of outdoor sports facilities at Tolworth Court, covering football, rugby, netball, cricket, American football and lacrosse. Kingston University

    Beyond campus, options are plentiful and genuinely student priced. The Gym Group on Eden Street is open 24 hours, seven days a week, with student memberships available (its very popular among students who prefer training outside peak hours). The YMCA in Surbiton offers monthly student memberships inclusive of yoga and Pilates classes. The Student Room

    Did we mention Kingston is on the Thames... home to the most famous boat race in the world!  The Kingston University Rowing Club trains up to four times a week, on the water and in the gym, welcoming all abilities and offering the chance to compete at regattas. The river also draws students to paddleboarding and kayaking through the warmer months, with hire available along the Kingston stretch of the Thames. Kingston University

    Outdoors, the options are exceptional even by London standards. Richmond Park and Bushy Park offer miles of running and cycling routes through genuinely wild green space. The Thames Path connects Kingston to Teddington in one direction and Hampton Court in the other giving you flat, traffic-free and usable year-round exercise.

    Cost of living

    Will it be affordable?

    Cost of Living in Kingston & Hove

    Kingston is generally more expensive than cities such as Nottingham or Coventry but significantly cheaper than living in Central London. Students should expect higher rents but lower transport costs if living close to campus.

    Cost of Living in Kingston

    Monthly costs typically include

    • Rent: £800–£1,200
    • Utilities: £60–£90
    • Groceries: £150–£220
    • Transport: £40–£80
    • Social life: £120–£220

    Many students offset costs through part-time work in retail, hospitality and London-based internships.

    Jobs for Students in Kingston

    Kingston offers excellent employment opportunities.

    Students commonly find part-time work in the Bentall Centre, restaurants, cafés, supermarkets and leisure facilities, while London's extensive job market is easily accessible for internships and graduate roles.

    Kingston living

    How Will I Get Around and Study?

    Kingston is one of the most walkable student towns in the south east, and most students find they rarely need to think about transport at all for daily life.

    The town centre, Penrhyn Road Campus and Knights Park are all within easy walking distance of each other. Kingston Hill Campus is the exception (it sits around two miles out) but a free university bus service links all campuses throughout the day, meaning you're never stranded between sites. Kingston University

    For getting into London, the train is the obvious choice. Fast trains from Kingston station reach Waterloo in around 30 minutes, and from Surbiton the journey takes approximately 18 minutes. Both stations run frequent South Western Railway services throughout the day and into the night. Rightmove

    Within the borough, 30 bus routes serve Kingston during the day, including the Superloop SL7, with 7 routes operating at night. Services connect Kingston with Richmond, Wimbledon, Putney, Hounslow and Epsom, making surrounding areas easy to reach without a car. Bus Routes in London

    Turks Launches also runs river boat services between Richmond, Kingston and Hampton Court. It’s slower than the train but a genuinely pleasant way to travel on a good day. Kingston Council

    Cycling is increasingly practical. Kingston Council has an ongoing programme of cycle route improvements funded by Transport for London, and the Thames Path and quieter residential streets in Surbiton and Norbiton already make for easy, low-traffic riding. The council also offers free cycle skills training and regular Dr Bike maintenance sessions. Kingston Council.

    One thing worth noting: Kingston has no Underground station. That's not the problem it sounds like (the trains are frequent and fast), but it's worth knowing before you arrive.

    A red double-decker bus is driving down a street with people on bicycles and on foot.
    Transport
    Transport Tips & Travel Time

    Typical travel times include:

    • Kingston to London Waterloo: approximately 30 minutes
    • Surbiton to Waterloo: approximately 18 minutes
    • Kingston to Heathrow Airport: approximately 45 minutes
    • Kingston to Gatwick Airport: approximately 1 hour
    • Most journeys within Kingston take less than 20 minutes on foot.
    FAQs

    Frequently Asked
    Questions.

    Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive from people interested in living in the city.

    Is Kingston expensive for students?

    Kingston is more expensive than many UK university cities, but generally cheaper than living in Central London.

    Yes. Most students walk, cycle or use buses and trains throughout their degree.

    Yes. There are plenty of student bars and clubs locally, while London's nightlife is less than 30 minutes away.

    Surbiton, Norbiton, Kingston town centre and Kingston Hill are the most popular student locations depending on your course and budget.

    Kingston is generally regarded as one of London's safer university towns and has a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere that appeals to both UK and international students.

    Kingston living
    What Should I Do Next?
    Start Your Next Chapter in Kingston

    Kingston appeals to students looking for the best of both worlds … the opportunities of London without the intensity of living in the capital itself.

    Students consistently praise the riverside setting, green spaces, strong sense of community and excellent transport connections. The combination of a safe environment, attractive town centre, career opportunities and easy access to Central London makes Kingston particularly appealing for students who want a balanced university experience.

    Whether you're looking for lively student nights, peaceful parks, career opportunities or simply a place that's easy to call home, Kingston offers one of the most well-rounded student experiences in the South East.

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