Orientation and welcome events: Social events

In addition to our Essential Welcome and Orientation Day, we schedule a number of fun events to help you explore your new environment and make new friends:

Welcome reception
Walking tours of central London
International Café
North American student social
Roller disco
Photo frenzy event
Halls welcome event
Trip to Madame Tussauds
Mamma Mia theatre night
Freshers’ Week parties
Freshers’ Ball
Day trip to Oxford and the Cotswolds
Traditional Sunday roast

Welcome reception

Join us at one of Kingston’s popular student locations for an evening of music, food, dancing and a bar. There will be free drinks for the first 30 people at the reception!

When: Thursday 16 September, 7.00pm–late
Where: The Kings Tun
What to wear: Smart casual – no caps or trainers
What to bring: Spending money for the evening

Walking tours of central London

You probably can’t wait to go into central London but don’t know where to start. Sign up for our guided walking tour of London and we’ll take you to some of the main sights the city has to offer. You can meet other students and familiarise yourself with the city. The tour will end with a free drink in a traditional British pub.

When: Friday 17 September, 11.00am–2.00pm. If you’re late, we won’t wait!
Where: We will confirm the meeting point once we have received payment.
Cost: £5 per person (non refundable)
What to wear: Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for walking
What to bring: Some spending money (if you wish to have food or additional refreshments at the pub where the tour will finish) and an umbrella or raincoat (in case of bad weather)
How to book: Spaces are limited and booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased at the International Welcome Centre or online. Please note that tickets will not be sold on the day.

Book walking tour online now

International Café

Every month we organise our famous International Café where you can mingle with other international students and enjoy a free hot drink. At the café we’ll introduce you to the amazing things Britain has to offer, with quizzes, games and lots more to keep you entertained.

When: Friday 17 September, 3.00pm–5.00pm
Where: The Rose Theatre
What to bring: Some spending money if you’d like more than just a hot drink
How to book Email international@kingston.ac.uk with the subject as ‘International Café’ to let us know you’re coming, or sign up at the International Welcome Centre

North American student social

When: Friday 17 September, 4.00pm–6.00pm
Where: Slug and Lettuce Bar on the Kingston riverfront (download PDF map)
How to to book: Please email Lisa Lessware

This social is specifically for American and Canadian students at Kingston University. There will be food and drinks, plus various 'break the ice' activities and a pub quiz. Additionally, our North American student ambassadors will be there to help answer any questions you may have.

We realise you are not coming to London only to socialise with other Americans, but at the beginning of the semester you may benefit from meeting students in a similar situation to yourself. It’s also nice to know that you are not the only person on campus going through peanut butter withdrawal!

This is a great event to attend if you are planning to live off campus and are looking for roommates. Last year, many students made friends and went out flat hunting that weekend.

For those of you who are arriving late and cannot make the social, we will host another American student social later in the semester.

Roller disco

If you want to do something fun and different, come to our roller-skating disco night! It is one of the most fun-packed nights in London complete with a seventies theme. So whether you're a professional skater or a beginner, dress up and join us for an unforgettable night!

When: Friday 17 September, 8.30pm–late
Where: Roller disco at the Renaissance Rooms, Vauxhall
Cost: £10 per person, non-refundable
What to wear: The roller disco is all about having fun and expressing yourself, so wear whatever you like but make it funky! Roller-skates will be provided at the club, but remember to bring you own socks.
How to book: Tickets can be purchased at the International Welcome Centre, online or at the door. If you buy them at the door remember to tell the staff you are a Kingston University student so you get our discounted price. If you forget you will be asked to pay £15.

Book roller disco online now

Photo frenzy event

Join us for an adventure in central London! Divided into teams of eight, you’ll get a list of clues that will lead you to famous London sights. The aim is for your team to race to all the sights and take original pictures of them. The team with the most correct answers and best pictures wins. This is not only fun but also an exciting opportunity for you to find your way around London, make friends and learn about the city! The race is followed by prize giving and meal at Tiger Tiger (a popular London venue).

When: Saturday 18 September, midday–6.00pm. If you’re late, we won’t wait!
Where: We will confirm the meeting point once we have received payment
Cost: £5 per person, non-refundable
What to wear: Shoes suitable for walking and an umbrella or raincoat (in case of bad weather). If you have a digital camera, please bring it and its USB cable (for downloading photos) as well. If you wish to stay at Tiger Tiger after our event and dance the night away (it turns into a bar/club after 7.00pm), be aware that the dress code does not allow trainers or caps.
We will provide: Prizes and a hot meal at the end
How to book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased at the International Welcome Centre, or online:

Book photo frenzy event online now (with penne pasta meal)

Book photo frenzy event online now (with fillet burger meal)

Book photo frenzy event online now (with chilli con carne meal)

Halls welcome event

For all students staying in one of our halls of residence, this event is a great way to start the year! There will be a barbeque, live music and games. You will also have the opportunity to meet the halls staff, security and most importantly, your future flat mates. Best of all – it’s free! We look forward to seeing you there.

When: Sunday 19 September, 3.00pm–6.00pm
Where: All halls of residence except IQ Wave and Quebec House*
What to wear: Casual clothes

*IQ Wave and Quebec House are a privately owned residences so there won’t be welcome events here.

Important: this event is only for students living in halls of residence. You will be given an invitation and more information when you arrive in halls.

Trip to Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is a world-famous wax museum containing hundreds of wax models of famous people. Do you want to pose for a photo with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt? Have a chat with Albert Einstein? Or maybe you’d like to score a winning goal under the watchful eye of David Beckham? You could also try giving a speech at the UN flanked by world leaders, or sing and dance on stage with Beyoncé and Britney!

When: Monday 20 September, 3.30pm onwards
Where: Madame Tussauds, Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LR
Cost: £10 per person, non-refundable
How to book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets can be purchased at the International Welcome Centre, or online.

Book Madame Tussauds trip online now

Mamma Mia theatre night

Mamma Mia is a famous West End musical. It’s a fun love story that brings to life the legendary songs by ABBA in a feel-good musical that will make you laugh, cry, jump and sing along. If you saw the film, you’ll love the show. At the end, the whole audience is on its feet and swaying along to the hits.

When: Tuesday 21 September, 7.30pm–10.15pm
Where: Prince of Wales Theatre
Cost: £20 per person, non-refundable
How to book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased at the International Welcome Centre, or online.

Book Mamma Mia trip online now

Freshers’ Week parties

Every day during Freshers’ Week the Students’ Union bars organise themed parties, where you can meet other students. For more information, visit the Students' Union website.

When: Every night from 20–24 September, 7.30pm–late
Where: All Students’ Union bars*
What to wear: Casual
What to bring: Spending money for the evening

* There are Students’ Union Bars on the following campuses: Penrhyn Road (The Space), Knights Park (Bar Zen) & Kingston Hill (Hannafords).

Freshers’ Ball

The Freshers’ Ball is the biggest student party of the year! Over 1,500 new students ('freshers') attend this massive event every year. This year’s ball will feature The Ministry of Sound Anthems Tour, Silent Disco and live bands.
When: Friday 24 September, 8.00pm–late
Where: Marquee outside Penhryn Road campus
Cost: £15 per person
What to wear: Smart casual (no denim jeans)
How to book: Tickets can be purchased at the International Welcome Centre, when the Students' Union is present or from the Students' Union website.

Day trip to Oxford and the Cotswolds

Oxford is England's oldest university town with beautiful colleges and streets. Here you will find the dining hall from Harry Potter and the river where Lewis Carroll took the real ‘Alice in Wonderland’ boating. Nearby is the Cotswolds; a region of beautiful hills and picturesque English villages where supermodels, politicians and film stars sip tea and enjoy the traditional English country life.

When: Saturday 25 September, 8.15am–7.00pm. If you’re late, we won’t wait!
How much: £30 per person, non-refundable
What to bring: Comfortable shoes for walking, spending money for the day and an umbrella in case of bad weather.
Where to meet: The bus will collect from two stops:

Kingston Hill campus bus stop at 8.15am
Penhryn Road campus reception at 8.30am

How to book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased at the International Welcome Centre, or online.

Book Oxford/Cotswolds trip online now

Traditional Sunday roast

Join us for this British tradition at a local pub. This delicious meal traditionally consists of a roast meat with gravy, potatoes and winter vegetables. Vegetarian options will also be available.

When: Sunday 26 September, 6.30pm–9.00pm
Where:The Kings Tun
Cost: £8 per person, non-refundable (includes two courses plus one drink)
What to bring: Spending money if you wish to have additional food/drinks
How to book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased at the International Welcome Centre, or online:

Book Sunday roast online now (vegetarian)

Book Sunday roast online now (beef)

Book Sunday roast online now (chicken)