Welcome to the future: inside Kingston University’s new industry-standard facilities

In October 2025, Kingston unveiled a major investment in brand-new facilities: humanoids and robot dogs, industry standard flight simulators, immersive VR/AR facilities and even more equipment that bring real-world professional environments into the heart of your learning.

What’s new at Kingston University and why it matters

At Kingston’s dedicated engineering campus at Roehampton Vale, the upgrades are nothing short of transformative.

Airbus A320 flight simulator

A full-fidelity Airbus A320 flight simulator. Used in real-time flight simulations, this gives students studying aviation operations or aerospace engineering a taste of real-world pilot training, a rare opportunity for undergraduates.

Two new engineering labs

Kingston has also opened two state‑of‑the‑art labs:

• Electronics & Electrical Engineering Lab equipped with a PCB laser‑milling machine, this lab allows students to design and build printed circuit boards and even create motherboards from scratch.
• Robotics Lab featuring industry‑grade robotic arms, humanoid robots, and intelligent robot dogs. That means you’ll learn in a space very similar to a modern tech factory or research lab.

Upgrades for automotive and aeronautics students

Students in automotive and aeronautical engineering now benefit from:

• A high‑performance Radical race car for hands‑on automotive engineering experience.
• A helicopter simulator with a 270° visual display for realistic flight manoeuvres and landing practice.

Advanced facilities across multiple disciplines

The investment goes far beyond robotics and aerospace. Students across engineering and computing can now access:

• High‑end 3D printing, including metal printing for complex structures.
• Upgraded wind tunnels.
• New geotechnics and hydraulics labs.
• A brand‑new VR/AR CAVE (Centre for Augmented and Visual Reality) at Penrhyn Road campus.

These facilities support everything from civil engineering and mechanical design to computer science, game development, and immersive technology.

What this means for you as a student

1. Real industry experience

You won’t just learn theory—by the time you graduate, you’ll have worked with real-world equipment such as flight simulators, robotics, printed-circuit manufacturing, 3D printing. Giving you a strong practical foundation many other universities can’t match.

2. Practice-driven learning

Instead of just reading about PCB manufacturing, robotics or aeronautics, you’ll get to try it out. That hands-on learning can make a big difference if you want to move into engineering, aerospace, robotics, manufacturing, or tech.

3. Diverse career pathways to explore

Because the upgrades span many disciplines from automotive to aerospace, civil engineering, robotics, computer science and even AR/VR. You’ll have flexibility to explore different fields and find where your interests really lie.

4. A competitive employability advantage

Employers value graduates who can confidently use industry‑standard tools and environments. Kingston’s new facilities give you a strong edge in the STEM and technology job market, helping you stand out from day one.

Why now is the best time to study engineering or computing at Kingston

If you’re thinking about studying aerospace, mechanical, electrical, civil engineering, robotics, or computing, Kingston’s new facilities offer an unmatched learning experience. You’ll gain practical skills, explore multiple career paths, and train with the same equipment used in professional engineering environments.

At Kingston University, you’re not just learning theory. You’re stepping into the future of engineering and technology with hands‑on, industry‑ready experience.

Find out more about our engineering and computing courses and explore our facilities on our virtual tour.