Thinking of commuting to Kingston University?
Nearly 50% of Kingston University students choose to commute, making commuter students an important part of our community. If you're considering commuting, you might be wondering whether you'll miss out on university life. On this page you'll find information to help you choose if commuting to uni is for you.
Will I miss out on the full university experience if I live at home?
The good news is that you won't miss out on the full university experience if you choose to live away from campus. Whether you live in halls, private accommodation or at home, you'll have the same opportunities to make friends, join clubs and societies, attend events and access support throughout your time at Kingston.
Every student's experience is different, and there's no single way to do university. Some students choose to commute to save money, stay close to family, balance other commitments or simply because it's the right choice for them. Whatever your reasons, you'll find plenty of opportunities to get involved, feel connected and make the most of your time at Kingston.
I knew I wanted to live at home when studying at university. I’ve found Kingston is a great place for this. Many students here do the same. It takes 45 minutes door-to-door to get to my lectures. My journey takes me through Richmond Park, where I get to walk alongside grazing deer. I can then pick up the University bus from Kingston town centre, which takes me directly to my lectures.
How can I make the most of commuter life?
Get involved and meet new people
Before you even start your course, you can take part in Head Start, a free pre-arrival programme designed to help you build confidence, get to know the University and meet other new students.
Find opportunities on campus
From Student Ambassador roles to other part-time jobs, working on campus can help you gain experience, earn money and connect with students and staff across the University.
Welcome Week is another great opportunity to make friends, explore campus and settle into university life before teaching begins.
Join a club or society
With more than 60 clubs and societies through Kingston Students' Union, there are plenty of ways to meet people, try something new and build friendships outside your course.
Spend time on campus
Make time to stay on campus beyond your lectures.
Whether you're studying, meeting friends, attending events or grabbing a coffee, spending time on campus is a great way to feel part of the Kingston community.
Hear from our students
Commuting to university doesn't mean missing out.
Tanisha shares how commuting has helped her build confidence, make lifelong friendships and become an active part of the University community through societies and her role as a Student Ambassador.
Read Tanisha's story to discover the realities of commuter life, the challenges she has overcome and her advice on making the most of your university experience while living at home.
FAQs
Read answers to some of the most common questions about commuting to Kingston, from travelling to campus and student discounts to facilities and getting involved in university life.
Kingston University is based in Kingston upon Thames, a vibrant riverside town in south-west London. With central London just 30 minutes away by train, students benefit from the best of both worlds: a friendly town atmosphere with easy access to the opportunities, culture and entertainment of the capital.
Kingston University has four campuses across Kingston upon Thames: Penrhyn Road, Kingston Hill, Roehampton Vale and Knights Park. The campus you'll be based on depends on your course, and all campuses are easily accessible by public transport.
Students can also get 30% off a London travelcard with an 18+ Student Oyster photocard and one-third off most train fares throughout the UK with a 16-25 Railcard.
Our fully-electric intersite bus service connects all campuses, halls of residence and key transport hubs, making it easy to move between lectures, facilities, social spaces and train stations without needing a car.
Many students choose to travel to Kingston University using public transport, walking or cycling, thanks to Kingston's excellent transport links and the University's inter-site bus service, which connects all campuses, halls of residence and key transport hubs.
If you are planning to drive, it's useful to know that parking availability varies across campuses. Students studying at Kingston Hill can benefit from free on-campus parking, while student parking is not generally available at the University's other campuses.
If you have specific circumstances, such as accessibility requirements, visit the support available for disabled students page to learn more about how to acquiring a parking permit.
Making friends isn't limited to living in halls. You'll meet people on your course, but some of the best connections happen through clubs, societies, sports teams, volunteering and university events.
Getting involved in activities outside your lectures is a great way to meet students from different courses and year groups and build your community at Kingston.
Read Moa’s blog on making friends at Kingston.
You can absolutely get involved in clubs and societies if you commute to university. Commuting does not limit your ability to get involved in student life in any way.
Kingston Students' Union offers more than 60 clubs and societies, covering sports, hobbies, academic interests, culture and more. Many commuter students take part in societies, volunteering opportunities, university events and even take on part-time jobs on campus. If you can’t find a society for you, you can make one!
Getting involved is one of the best ways to meet people, build friendships and feel connected to the Kingston community, regardless of where you live.
Take a look at the Kingston Students’ Union events calendar.
As a commuter student, you will have access to the same support services that students who live on the Kingston University campus have. This includes:
- Academic support and study skills guidance.
- Wellbeing and mental health support.
- Careers and employability services.
- Financial advice and student funding guidance.
- Kingston Students' Union activities, clubs and societies.
- Welcome Week and Head Start activities to help you settle in and make connections.
Whether you're spending the whole day on campus or fitting your studies around other commitments, you'll find plenty of spaces and facilities designed to help you make the most of your time at Kingston.
Facilities available to commuter students include:
- Town House library at Penrhyn Road, with over 1,000 study spaces, social and lounge areas, cafés and a rooftop garden.
- Fitness centre at Penrhyn Road, featuring a fully equipped gym and a range of fitness classes.
- Cafés and canteens across all campuses, offering hot meals, snacks and meal deals. Microwaves are also available if you prefer to bring food from home.
- Free short-term laptop loans to support your studies while you're on campus.
- Multi-faith spaces available across all campuses.
- Shower facilities at Penrhyn Road, Roehampton Vale and Kingston Hill.
Yes, there are social and dining spaces where you can eat, relax and catch up with friends between lectures and study periods. On each of our four campuses you’ll find cafés and canteens offering hot meals, snacks, drinks and meal deals throughout the day. The canteens also have microwaves available if you prefer to bring food from home but still want a hot meal.
Whether you want somewhere to study between lectures, meet friends or simply take a break, each Kingston University campus offers welcoming spaces where you can relax and make the most of your day.
Penrhyn Road
Penrhyn Road campus is a lively central hub for our students and just a short walk from Kingston town centre.
At the heart of campus you’ll find the award-winning Town House, complete with social spaces, group and independent study spaces, as well as cafés, rooftop gardens and balconies.
Penrhyn Road is also home to our on-campus gym, a newly renovated students’ union, career centre, café and even a student kitchen.
Kingston town centre is also just a short walk from Penrhyn Road campus, making it easy to run a few errands, grab lunch or a coffee or enjoy the riverside between lectures.
Kingston Hill
Kingston Hill campus offers a slower, more relaxed campus experience, with plenty of green space and room to unwind.
Students can make use of outdoor seating areas, tennis courts, table-tennis tables and the outdoor fitness trail, making it easy to get some fresh air between lectures. The library also offers a café and social spaces to complete group work or simply hang out and relax.
Knights Park
Knights Park campus has a creative and collaborative feel. The campus is filled with spaces that bring students and ideas together to share inspiration from across the art and design community.
You’ll often find students hanging out in the library between lectures, but on a sunny afternoon, the go-to spot to have lunch and relax is along the Hogsmill river at the back of campus. From here students can also head to the students’ union bar or even take in an exhibit and the University’s very own Stanley Picker Gallery.
Roehampton Vale
Roehampton Vale campus has a close-knit feel, making it easy to get to know fellow students.
The library welcomes you into the main building and acts as a central meeting point to catch up with classmates for group work or take a break between classes. Students can pick up lunch in the café before heading to lectures; there are also tons of comfortable spaces to lounge and enjoy lunch (or even hideout) including the Bernie Hub, the Hawker Wing and the Design Innovation studio.
If you have time between lectures and want to explore beyond campus, Kingston Upon Thames and the surrounding area offer plenty of opportunities to step away from your screen, grab something to eat or take a relaxing walk.
- Kingston town centre offers a wide range of shops, cafés, restaurants and stores all within easy reach of Penrhyn Road and Knights Park campuses.
- The riverside provides a scenic spot to take a stroll, meet friends or enjoy a coffee overlooking the River Thames.
- Richmond Park, close to Kingston Hill campus, is one of London's largest Royal Parks and a great place to get some fresh air, go for a walk or spot groups of deer.
- Bushy Park, near Roehampton Vale campus, offers extensive green space and peaceful surroundings, making it ideal for a break between classes.
- Canbury Gardens is a popular riverside destination, where you can relax, have an outdoor picnic or enjoy the riverside views.
The area also has a range of independent cafés, restaurants and local businesses, giving you plenty of options if you want a change of scenery during the day. Many of these businesses also offer student discounts through apps like Unidays and Student Beans. Learn more about Kingston upon Thames, its history and the surrounding area on our blog.
Explore our virtual experience
Discover more about Kingston University with our virtual experience. You can explore student life, accommodation and the support that will be available to you, as well as personalised on-demand content for your subject of interest.
