Where will I live?

As long as you meet our deadlines, all Study Abroad students are eligible for University-arranged accommodation while at Kingston University.

We have different accommodation options depending on whether you are studying at Kingston University for:

All accommodation is offered on a self-catering basis as there are no meal plans at Kingston University. However, there are student cafeterias on campus. You can find out more from Accommodation Services.

We do not provide accommodation for accompanying family members. However, you can view our list of hotels and guest houses for family members.

We will send you an application pack to apply for accommodation when we offer you a place.  It is important to register your preferences as soon as possible. 

Students studying at Kingston for a complete academic year

If you are studying at Kingston for a complete academic year, you can apply for a room in our halls of residence. If you prefer, you can ask for lodgings instead. 

If you get a place in halls, you share a flat with between two and nine other students. You usually share with both male and female students from a range of different backgrounds and courses. Our halls:

  • have a range of rooms, some with en-suite facilities and others with shared bathrooms
  • are self-catering
  • do not include bed linen, crockery, cutlery or cooking equipment.  However, you can purchase these quite cheaply in the local shopping centre

When you take a hall room, you sign a legal contract for the 40 week academic year. You will not have to vacate the room during the holidays.  However, if you decide to move out, you will be liable for rent until we can find a new tenant. 

Find out more about how much it will cost and how to apply.

Students studying at Kingston for a semester only

If you are studying at Kingston for a semester only, you are not eligible to apply for hall rooms. However, you can apply for lodgings. 

You live with the owner in their house in a single room. You have:

  • a furnished bedroom, including a desk, chair and storage
  • access to the kitchen to prepare your meals
  • access to the bathroom
  • bedding and cooking utensils/equipment

Please remember that this is not the same as being placed with a host family, as you will live separately from the householder.   

Each household is slightly different so it is important to clarify with the householder exactly what is available – such as use of washing machine, availability/cost of internet, use of family rooms, pets, smoking etc.

On arrival you must:

  • make a deposit payment of one week's rent to the landlord/lady on arrival together with one week’s rent in advance
  • pay your rent weekly on the same day

Your landlord/lady will refund your deposit when you leave, less any charges, such as covering the cost of breakages.

Many students would prefer a flat or bed-sit where there is no resident landlord. We do not recommend this as such accommodation is scarce and expensive. You can find details about private accommodation on the Accommodation Services' web pages.