Faith and spirituality
Faith is an important part of life for many students and staff at Kingston. Find out everything you need to know about our pastoral support, prayer spaces, faith groups and more.
About faith and spirituality at Kingston University
Be part of the Kingston faith community
Staff and students at Kingston University represent a wide range of cultures and faiths.
Whoever you are, whatever your background, our Faith and Spirituality Team is here to support and welcome you through:
- Support – listening, guidance, friendship and prayer
- Community – building relationships and trust
- Understanding – learning about our own beliefs and those of others
- Creativity – seeing the world in new ways
- Spirituality – exploring faith, prayer and meaning
Need pastoral care?
We offer free, confidential pastoral support to all students and staff from all religious backgrounds. Whether you want some to talk to or simply someone to pray with, get in touch with [email protected] to arrange a chat.
Find a place to pray
From Faith Centres to Quiet Rooms, there are plenty of purpose-built spaces to pray at Kingston University. Check out your options below.
We have two Faith and Spirituality Centres at Kingston University. One on the ground floor of the main building at Penrhyn Road and one in Kenry House at Kingston Hill.
Both are open to all students and staff of all and no faiths – you just need your student card to get in. They include spaces for:
- Prayer
- Workshop
- Meditation
- Reflection
- Meetings
- Religious washing
We have multi-faith Quiet Rooms at the following locations:
- Roehampton Vale campus, on the ground floor of the Hawker Wing
- Knights Park campus, on the ground floor of the Link Building
Discover places of worship
Explore diverse places of worship across Kingston and beyond. Find churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and more
Religious festivals
Whilst there is no automatic right to time off for religious obligations, the University will try to make reasonable adjustments where it can. Please contact your course leader as soon as possible if there is a conflict.
The below list features all of the important religious observance dates for the six main religions practised in the United Kingdom. If any of the dates on this page are incorrect or if you wish to add any, please contact our Faith and Spirituality Team.
| Festival | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesak (Buddha Day) | 12 May | 8 April | 8 April | 8 April |
| Festival | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | 18 April | 3 April | 26 March | 14 April |
| Big Friday (Eastern and Greek Orthodox) | 20 April | 5 April | 28 March | 16 April |
| Easter Sunday | 20 April | 5 April | 28 March | 16 April |
| Easter Sunday (Eastern and Greek Orthodox) | 20 April | 12 April | 2 May | 16 April |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | 25 December | 25 December | 25 December |
| Christmas Day (Eastern Orthodox) | 7 January | 7 January | 7 January | 7 January |
| Epiphany (Catholic) | 6 January | 6 January | 6 January | 6 January |
| Festival | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krishna Janmashtami | 15 August | 3 September | 25 August | 12 August |
| Diwali (Divali, Deepavali) | 20 October | 8 November | 29 October | 17 October |
| Festival | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pesach - Passover (first 2 days) | 12–14 April | 1–3 April | 21–23 April | 10–12 April |
| Pesach - Passover (final 2 days) | 18–20 April | 7–9 April | 27–29 April | 17–19 April |
| Shavuot (Pentecost Festival of weeks) | 1–3 June | 21–23 May | 10–12 June | 30 May – 1 June |
| Rosh Hashanah | 22–24 September | 11–13 September | 1–3 October | 20–22 September |
| Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) | 1–2 October | 20–21 September | 10–11 October | 29–30 September |
| Sukkot (Tabernacles) | 6–13 October | 25 September – 6 October | 15–22 October | 4–11 October |
| Shemini Atzeret | 13–14 October | 6–7 October | 22–23 October | 11–12 October |
| Simchat Torah | 14–15 October | 7–8 October | 23–24 October | 12–13 October |
| Festival | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramadan month begins | 28 February | 17 February | 7 February | 27 January |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | 30 March | 19 March | 9 March | 26 February |
| Eid-ul-Adha | 6 June | 26 May | 16 May | 4 May |
| Ashura | 5 July | 26 June | 14 June | 2 June |
Dates provided on the Islamic Calendar have been scientifically calculated. However, these have to be confirmed by sighting the moon and there can be a discrepancy of up to two days for each festival.
| Festival | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birthday of Guru Gobind | 16 January and 27 December | N/A | 15 January | 4 January and 23 December |
| Vaisakhi/Baisakhi | 14 April | 14 April | 14 April | 14 April |
| Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev | 16 June | 16 June | 16 June | 16 June |
| Bandi Chhor Divas | 20 October | 8 November | 29 October | 17 September |
| Birthday of Guru Nanak | 5 November | 24 November | 14 November | 2 December |
| Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur | 24 November | 24 November | 24 November | 24 November |
| Holla Mohalla | 14–16 March | 4–6 March | 23–25 March | 11–13 March |
Join a faith society
There are plenty of active, welcoming faith-based societies at Kingston University. If there isn’t one for your religious group, why not start your own?
Frequently asked questions
The Faith and Spirituality Team is here for everyone in the University – whatever your beliefs.
There is no automatic time off granted for religious obligations, but we will make reasonable adjustments wherever we can.
If you’re worried about a clash, get in touch with your course leader as soon as possible to discuss your options.
If your scheduled examination timetable conflicts with your religious requirements, you should follow mitigating circumstances procedures and submit a deferral request.
Need further advice? Get in touch with Hamad, our Faith & Spirituality Senior Advisor at [email protected].
Our canteen serves a mix of halal and non-halal food. Everything is clearly labelled.
If you have a concern you would like us to pray about, you can make a request at one of the regular term time services. You can also leave requests on the boards in our Quiet Rooms, or send them by email to [email protected].
Meet our Faith and Spirituality Team
Our Faith and Spirituality Team is always available to offer advice, support and prayer.
Hamad Momin, Faith & Spirituality Senior Adviser
Hamad Momin is our primary contact for region and belief. He leads and develops our service and coordinates our Faith Network.
Hamad offers confidential pastoral support to all students and staff, as well as weekly drop-in sessions, where you can talk about anything that’s on your mind.
Get in touch with Hamad at [email protected].
Our Voluntary Faith Advisers
Feel free to get in touch with our multi-faith advisers using the information below.
Ms Kamontip Evans
Email: [email protected].
Mr Charlie Bamford
Email [email protected].
Mr Chetan Chuttoo
Email: [email protected].
Rabbi René Pfertzel
Email: [email protected].
Get in touch
Need further support, advice or information? Our team at the Faith and Spirituality Centre will be able to help.
Visit us at the below location or send us an email.
Faith and Spirituality Centre
Kingston University
Penrhyn Road
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 2EE
