Head Start programme for undergraduate offer holders
Our free Head Start programme helps prepare undergraduate students for their first year at Kingston University. Find out more about Head Start and how you can book a place.
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Get a Head Start at uni
Join us for an immersive Head Start event to build your confidence, connect with other new students and familiarise yourself with the University before your course begins.
Feeling a little nervous about starting university? Don't worry, you can join Head Start for free to build your confidence and make friends before term starts at Kingston University.
The Head Start team will help you feel excited and academically ready for your degree. They will also provide information on what you can get involved in alongside your studies.
What our students say about Head Start
The whole experience truly made me feel like I was joining a university that genuinely cares and wants me to succeed personally, mentally, financially and academically.
What is Head Start?
Our Head Start programme takes place each summer between July and September. It is made up of a mixture of three-day and one-day events and is open to students who hold a Firm offer to study an undergraduate course at Kingston University.
Most of the events take place in person on campus, but there is an online event for international students and those unable to travel to the University.
All Head Start events are free to join.
Accommodation is provided for those on our three-day programme. Students will stay free-of-charge in our halls of residence.
By taking part in Head Start, you'll feel more confident and better prepared to start your course. Here's a taste of what you can do at Head Start:
- Get valuable study tips and advice about studying at degree level
- Make friends with other new students who are also starting in September
- Talk to current students about what it's like to study at Kingston University
- Learn about our libraries and the facilities they offer
- Find out how to join clubs and societies with Kingston Students' Union
- Get advice about budgeting and finding part-time work
- Meet our Accommodation, Health and Wellbeing, and Money Advice teams
- Discover how we assist mature learners, and provide mental health, disability and dyslexia support
Did you know?
of attendees felt confident about starting university after attending Head Start in 2025.
of attendees felt confident about making friends at university after attending Head Start in 2025.
of attendees knew who to contact to ask for support at university after attending Head Start in 2025.
attendees felt prepared for studying at university level after attending Head Start in 2025.
Which Head Start event should I attend?
There are four types of Head Start event programmes. Choose the one that works best for you, but to get the most out of Head Start, we recommend that you attend a three-day event.
The three-day Head Start programme is a great opportunity to connect with other new students and familiarise yourself with Kingston University before your course begins.
The option of two or three nights' free accommodation is available for students attending the three-day Head Start event programme.
Who can attend?
The Head Start three-day event is open to Home students with a Firm offer to study an undergraduate course at Kingston University.
When are the Head Start: Three-day events?
There are several three-day events to choose from:
- Head Start 1: Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Friday 10 July 2026
- Head Start 2: Wednesday 22, Thursday 23, Friday 24 July 2026
- Head Start 3: Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Friday 7 August 2026
- Head Start 4: Wednesday 26, Thursday 27, Friday 28 August 2026
Day 1, Wednesday: 9:30am–5:30pm
The focus of day 1 is to get to know each other and have some fun. You can expect sessions on how to boost your confidence, learning about your social styles, ice breakers and speed meeting games, and an opportunity to hear from our current students about their experiences of student life at Kingston.
Day 2, Thursday: 10am–5pm
On day 2 we start to look at the core academic and practical skills you will need as a Kingston student. You can expect sessions on study skills and tackling your first assignments, budgeting your time, money and energy, and how to look after your wellbeing.
Day 3, Friday 10am–1pm
The final day of Head Start is about looking at the different support and opportunities available to you at Kingston, student finance and money advice and what you can expect between the end of the programme and the start of your degree.
Day 3 is a celebration of everything you have learned and everything else you can get involved with, before we officially say goodbye to you (for now!)
Social events
We also run social events on Wednesday and Thursday evening, offering dinner and games hosted by our current students. We encourage everyone who can to stick around for them as they are a great way to have fun and unwind after a busy day of sessions.
Accommodation
Our Head Start three-day events include the option for two or three nights' free accommodation in our Clayhill halls of residence.
We encourage everyone to stay in halls for Head Start to get the best experience of the programme, even if you live locally or have chosen not to live in halls when you start your course. However, if the rooms are oversubscribed, they will be prioritised for attendees unable to commute to the event each day.
You must be 18 or older at the time of the event to stay in the halls of residence.
For offer holders who are unable to join a three-day Head Start event, we recommend taking part in this condensed version of the programme.
The day is focused on information and sharpening your skills before starting your course, rather than socialising and building connections. Staff and current students will be on hand to answer questions too.
Our one-day express event runs from 9am–5:30pm, and will include sessions on academic expectations, study skills and tackling your assignments, budgeting, looking after your mental health and wellbeing and exploring the different opportunities and support services at Kingston.
Who can attend?
Head Start Express is open to Home students with a Firm offer to study an undergraduate course at Kingston University.
When is Head Start Express?
If you can’t join us in person, we will bring Head Start to you. However, if you are able to attend an in-person event we strongly recommend you do.
Our online Head Start programme shows you what Kingston University has to offer and help prepare you for the start of term.
The programme will include sessions on tackling your assignments, budgeting, student finance, and exploring the different opportunities and support services at Kingston. We will also run faculty sessions where you get the opportunity to talk to academic staff from your faculty and ask any last-minute questions you have.
Who can attend?
Head Start Online is open to Home and International students with a Firm offer to study an undergraduate course at Kingston University.
When is Head Start: Online?
If you are aged 21 or over on 1 September before the start of your course, then you may want to attend our mature learner specific event. There will be information specifically targeted towards mature students, to help you feel confident and academically ready to start your university degree at Kingston University. The programme is also shorter for those who have other time commitments.
The day will run from 9:30am–4:30pm and will include sessions on study skills, tackling your assignments, boosting your confidence and exploring social styles, and what it means to be a mature learner at Kingston.
Who can attend?
Head Start: Mature Learner is open to Home students aged 21 or over with a Firm offer to study an undergraduate course at Kingston University.
Please note, if you are a mature learner you are not restricted to attend this event – you are welcome to join any of our Head Start events over the Summer.
When is Head Start: Mature Learner?
Chat to our students about Head Start
If you want to know what it is like to take part in Head Start, or you have questions about Kingston University, you can ask our student ambassadors. They are happy to help and can chat with you online.
Frequently-asked questions about Head Start
Head Start helps prepare you for life as an undergraduate student at Kingston University. You will:
- ask any questions you have about starting higher education
- make new friends who are also starting at Kingston University
- chat to staff and current students about university life
- get to know the University and the local area
- feel more confident about starting in September
- learn how to improve your study skills
- get an idea of what's expected of you academically.
No, attending Head Start is optional. However, our previous Head Start students have found the event very valuable.
After attending Head Start in 2025:
- 97% of attendees felt confident about starting university
- 96% of attendees felt confident about making friends at university
- 96% of attendees knew who to contact to ask for support at university
- 89% attendees felt prepared for studying at university level.
It is completely free to take part in Head Start. All you need to do is complete our booking form to register.
If you are attending an in-person event, breakfast and lunch will be provided. Dinner will also be available for those taking part in the evening activities.
Financial support is available to help with travel costs. Further information on how to apply for this support will be provided after your booking has been confirmed. However, if travelling costs might prevent you from booking and attending Head Start, email [email protected] for advice.
You may wish to bring some money with you to buy additional food and drinks.
For those staying in halls of residence, your accommodation will be paid for by the University. Please note, if you do not stay for the full three days of the event you may be charged for your accommodation.
Head Start takes place between July and September. We have a mix of one-day and three-day events that you can choose from, as well as an online event if you are an international student or cannot make a face-to-face event.
Please note you can only apply for one face-to-face event as places are limited.
Three-day events
- Head Start 1: Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Friday 10 July 2026
- Head Start 2: Wednesday 22, Thursday 23, Friday 24 July2026
- Head Start 3: Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Friday 7 August 2026
- Head Start 4: Wednesday 26, Thursday 27, Friday 28 August 2026
Express one-day events
- Head Start Mature Learner (mature learners ONLY): Wednesday 15 July 2026
- Head Start Express: Thursday 20 August 2026
- Head Start Online: Thursday 3 September 2026
To book a place for our in-person events you must be a Home applicant holding a firm offer for an undergraduate course at Kingston University.
At each event, there will be lots of sessions focusing on different elements of University life. Here are some of the themes covered in our sessions:
- developing academic skills
- accommodation information
- student money advice
- health and wellbeing support.
Alongside these informative sessions we have lots of fun activities. You’ll meet other new students and have the opportunity to ask us questions.
Yes, student ambassadors take part in the Head Start programme. Our ambassadors are all current students and from a variety of different backgrounds and subject areas. This means you are sure to meet somebody who you can really relate to.
You can take a look at some of our current students' profiles when they go live in April. The students are available to chat to you if you have a specific question, or you can just say hello before joining one of our events.
We recognise the importance of supporting mature students through their transition to university. If you are aged 21 or over on 1 September before the start of your course, then you are considered a mature student.
Each year, we welcome a significant number of mature learners to our Head Start events. There will be information specifically targeted towards mature students, so please take part.
We also host an exclusive Mature Learner Preparation Day if you would rather attend this. This will be taking place on Wednesday 15 July 2026.
If you can no longer attend Head Start, you must let us know in writing five working days prior to the event. Failure to let us know may result in you being charged for your room.
There is likely to be a person on our waiting list who would like to attend the event in your place.
Our in-person events are only open to Home applicants. However, if you are an international applicant with a Firm offer to study an undergraduate course at Kingston University, you will be able to join us for our Head Start Online programme.
Firstly, you need to submit your application to register for our Head Start events. The Head Start team will then be in touch to confirm your place. You’ll also be provided with further details about the event.
You will be staying in our Clayhill halls of residence.
Yes, you will have your own room with en-suite facilities. However, a mix of female and male students will be sharing the flat with you. These students will also be attending the Head Start event.
You will need to bring clothes, toiletries and a towel. You do not need to bring bedding or kitchen utensils as these will be provided.
Yes you can! We recommend our halls to everyone who comes on Head Start to get the best experience of the programme, regardless of whether or not you will be staying in accommodation when you start your course.
However, if rooms are oversubscribed, priority will be given to those who live more than 15 miles away.
Contact the Head Start team
If you would like more information about Head Start, get in touch with our friendly team via email.
