Welcome events and orientation events: Social events - Guidance and advice

Welcome and orientation events: Social events

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

You can buy tickets for these events online (see below) or in our International Welcome Centre when you arrive in Kingston.

Welcome reception – 25 January
Walking tour of central London – 26 January
Mamma Mia theatre evening – 26 January
Sunday lunch – 29 January
International Café – 3 February
Harry Potter walking tour – 4 February
Photo frenzy event – 5 February
Postgraduate and alumni networking event – 24 January

Welcome reception – free

Join us at one of Kingston's popular pubs for a fun evening. You don't need to book, just come along and meet other new students.

When: Wednesday 25 January, 6.00pm–late
Where: The Kings Tun Pub (upstairs), Kingston upon Thames
How much: Bring some spending money for drinks and food
What to wear: Smart casual
To book: No need to book, just turn up!

Walking tour of central London

If you can't wait to go into central London, but don't know where to start, sign up for our guided walking tour and we'll take you to some of London's most famous sights. You will meet other students and get to know the city. The tour will end with a free drink in a traditional British pub.

When: Thursday 26 January, 1.00pm–4.00pm
Where: A meeting point will be confirmed when we've received your payment
How much: £9 (non-refundable) and money for transport. Please note that tickets will not be sold on the day
What to wear: Warm casual clothes and comfortable shoes for walking
To book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. You can buy tickets at the International Welcome Centre or book online now

Mamma Mia theatre evening

Mamma Mia is a famous West End musical. It's a love story that brings the legendary songs of ABBA to life in a feel-good musical that will make you laugh, cry, jump around and sing along! If you liked the film, you'll love the show.

When: Thursday 26 January, 7.30pm–22.30pm
Where: A meeting point will be confirmed when we've received your payment
How much: £20 (non-refundable) and money for transport. Please note that tickets will not be sold on the day
What to bring: Spending money and your ticket
To book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. You can buy tickets at the International Welcome Centre or book online now

Sunday lunch

Join us for a traditional roast at a local pub. This delicious meal usually consists of roast meat with gravy, roast potatoes and vegetables (vegetarian options available). A dessert and a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) are also included.

When: Sunday 29 January, 12.30pm–3.00pm
Where: The Kings Tun Pub (upstairs), Kingston upon Thames
How much: £8 (non-refundable) and money for transport. Please note that tickets will not be sold on the day
What to bring:Spending money for additional food /drinks and your passport if you wish to buy alcohol
To book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. You can buy tickets at the International Welcome Centre or book online now

International Café – free

Join us in a relaxed, friendly and culturally diverse space to meet students from different countries and learn about different cultures and British life, over a free cup of tea or coffee!

When: Friday 3 February, 3.00pm–5.00pm
Where: Kingston upon Thames, Rose Theatre Culture Café
What to bring: Some spending money if you'd like more than just a hot drink
To book: Email international@kingston.ac.uk with 'International Café' as the subject or sign up at the International Welcome Centre

Harry Potter walking tour of London

Join us for this exciting Harry Potter inspired walking tour of London and experience JK Rowling's story firsthand! See the Leaky Cauldron, Platform 9¾, walk into the dark side of the Prison of Azkaban, flee the Dementors as you cross the wobbly bridge and if you are lucky find gold at Gringots! Get to see the city and meet other students as we weave our way around London.

When: Saturday 4 February, 2.30pm–4.30pm
Where: A meeting point will be confirmed when we have received your payment
How much: £10 (non-refundable) and money for transport. Please note that tickets will not be sold on the day
What to bring: Spending money, an umbrella or raincoat (in case of bad weather)
To book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. You can buy tickets at the International Welcome Centre or book online now

Photo frenzy

Join us for an adventure in central London! In teams, you'll get a list of clues that will lead you to famous London sights. The aim is for your team to race to the sights and take fun, original pictures of them. There will be prizes for the teams with the most correct answers and the best pictures. This is 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: Sunday 5 February, 12.00noon–6.00pm. If you're late, we won't wait!
Where: Meet at the London Eye – look out for our staff, who will be wearing green t-shirts
How much: £8 (non-refundable)
What to wear: Warm casual clothes, comfortable shoes and an umbrella or raincoat (in case of bad weather)*
What to bring: Spending money for drinks and transport, your passport (if you wish to buy alcohol) and if you have one, a digital camera with a USB cable (for downloading photos)
What we provide: A hot meal at the end (main course and dessert) and prizes
To book: Places are limited, so booking is essential. You can buy tickets at the International Welcome Centre or book online now

* If you wish to stay on at Tiger Tiger after the event and dance the night away (it turns into a club after 7.00pm), please note that trainers and caps are not allowed

Postgraduate and alumni networking event – free

Student Services in partnership with Kingston alumni would like to invite you to a postgraduate welcome event. This will be a networking event, with an opportunity to meet other postgraduate students and representatives from the Mature Student Society, and partake in a question and answer session with former Kingston University postgraduates. There will also be an opportunity to sign up to the Kingston Postgraduate Peer Network.

When: Tuesday 24 January, 7.00pm–9.00pm
Where: Penrhyn Road campus, John Galsworthy Building, third floor, room 3007
To book: Email name and Kingston University ID to postgraduate@kingston.ac.uk.