Erasmus+ and European Exchange
Thinking about choosing Kingston University for your Erasmus+ or European Exchange? Whether you want to study with us for a semester or a year, everything you need to know is right here.
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Erasmus+ or European Exchange at Kingston University
Why choose Kingston?
We partner with around 120 universities to welcome more than 150 Erasmus+ and European exchange students every year.
Spending a semester or more here is the perfect opportunity to:
- Integrate with student life in the UK
- Meet new people and explore a different way of living
- Learn or improve your language skills
- Show future employers your flexibility and ability
The academic programme
Depending upon the actual exchange agreement in place, there are three study options potentially available with teaching taking place over the two semesters (autumn and spring):
| Study option | Length | Study period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole academic year | September – June |
| 2 | Autumn/Fall semester | September – December |
| 3 | Spring semester | January – April |
There is a shorter period after the Easter break (April/May) which is an exam period for students studying full Kingston degree programmes and for Erasmus/EU Exchange students here for the academic year (study option 1).
Degree programmes are made up of individual modules (or classes). Each module has defined content, contact hours, learning outcomes and assessments. They are measured in credits. If you’re studying for a full year, you’ll need to enrol for 120 Kingston credits which equates to 60 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits. If you’re studying for a single semester, you’ll need to enrol for 60 Kingston credits/30 ECTS credits.
We recommend applying for a total of eight modules, with four as your first choice and four as your second choice.
Most modules are a whole year in length but many are also suitable for single-semester study (study options 2 or 3) and their suitability for this is indicated in our module directory. For assessment, in this case, you will either complete the standard assessment for that part of the module or sometimes be given a specific bespoke assessment appropriate for your study option.
Where you’ll stay
Studying for a semester?
You won’t be eligible for a hall room if you’re only studying for a semester, but there are plenty of private accommodation options nearby.
Studying for a full academic year?
After you’ve accepted your offer, our accommodation team will contact you directly to tell you how to apply for a room in our halls of residence.
Our halls are self-catering, mixed gender and have WiFi access. You’ll share a flat with other students from different backgrounds and courses.
Explore our halls of residence
We have a whole section devoted to the accommodation available at Kingston University.
How to apply
Complete the application form
- As Erasmus/EU Exchange agreements are subject-specific, check that your home university is one of our partner institutions for your subject. If it is not, you can still come to study with us through the Study Abroad Programme.
- Apply to your home university to be nominated for a place at Kingston
- Get formal approval from your home university. Applications to the programme for Study Options 1 (academic year) and 2 (autumn/fall semester) are now closed. Applications for Study Option 3 (spring semester) will open in late September.
Send us your portfolio
If you’re applying for a studio-based module at Kingston School of Art in one of the following subjects, you’ll need to send us a portfolio of your work too.
- Architecture
- Creative and Cultural Industries: Art Direction
- Creative and Cultural Industries: Events and Experiences Design
- Fashion
- Fashion Promotion and Communication (specific agreements only)
- Fine Art
- Graphic Design
- Illustration Animation
- Interior Design
- Photography
- Product and Furniture Design
What to include in your portfolio
We accept web portfolios and PowerPoint or JPEG documents under 10MB. Email the link or attachment to [email protected], or directly to your Erasmus administrator (there’s a list at the bottom of this page). Please include:
- Your name, current university and the course you wish to apply for on all correspondence headers and web links
- A mix of developmental work and finished projects
- Anything personal or interesting to you that supports your application and shows us how you think
Application deadlines
- Apply by 5 June for the autumn semester (study option 2) or the full year (study option 1).
English language requirements
To study at Kingston University as an Erasmus+ or European exchange student, you need to be competent in English language in accordance with the following UKVI minimum requirements:
- IELTS (academic): 6 (with 5.5 minimum in each element)
- TOEFL iBT: 4 (Overall score of 4, with a minimum of 2 elements at 4.5 and 2 elements at 4)
These correlate to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We are happy to consider other internationally recognised tests too.
You can upload this formal proof as part of our online application, which is also required if you need a visa to enter the UK.
Find out more about how to improve your English with our language programmes.
Arriving at Kingston University
Arriving in a new country can feel overwhelming as well as exciting. Give yourself the best possible start by reading our pre-arrival guidance for international students.
When you get here, find your feet and meet new people by heading to the following events:
- Orientation
- Faculty induction meeting
- Welcome reception
- Enrolment
Programme dates 2026/27
Please note, we now only have one exam period during the academic year. See our module directory for information about fall (Study Option 2) and spring (Study Option 3) assessments for single-semester students.
The timetable for the exam period for full-year (i.e. Study Option 1) students is normally published in March. You will not be able to confirm your departure date until the timetable is published. Exam dates are not able to be changed.
The dates below may occasionally be subject to change.
- Application deadline for January 2026 entry: Friday 31 October
- Orientation: Friday 9 January
- Teaching begins: Monday 12 January
- Enrichment/Reading Week: Monday 16 to Friday 20 February
- Teaching finishes: Thursday 2 April
- Summer Period (including exam period for students here for Study Option 1): Monday 27 April to Friday 26 June
- Exam period (for students here for Study Option 1): Monday 27 April to Friday 22 May
- Application deadline for September 2026 entry (Study Options 1 and 2): Friday 5 June
- Orientation (by SAIL Office): Friday 18 September (contact your faculty for any subject-specific induction meetings)
- Welcome Week: Monday 21 to Friday 25 September
- Teaching begins: Monday 28 September
- Enrichment/Reading Week: Monday 2 November to Friday 6 November
- Teaching finishes: Friday 18 December
- Application deadline for January 2027 entry: Friday 6 November
- Orientation: Friday 8 January (contact your faculty for any subject-specific induction meetings)
- Welcome event: Friday 8 January
- Teaching begins: Monday 11 January
- Enrichment/Reading Week: Monday 15 to Friday 19 February
- Easter vacation period: Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April
- Final teaching week: Monday 12 to Friday 16 April
- Summer Period (including exams) begins: Monday 26 April
- Exam period (for students here for Study Option 1: Monday 26 April to Friday 21 May
- Halls of residence contract end date (for students on Study Option 1): Saturday 26 June
Contact details and module information
View live modules and contact details for Erasmus staff:
Erasmus Administrator:
Alan Russell
Course and Student Administration Coordinator/KSA Faculty Exchange Administrator
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 4238
Erasmus Administrator:
Alan Russell
Course and Student Administration Coordinator
Modules | Erasmus Coordinators (or Course Leaders/Contacts) |
|---|---|
| Business | Dr Felipe Costa Sperb |
| Criminology | Dr Heidi Seetzen |
| Economics | Prof Javier Ortega Diego |
| Law | Dr Rupert Dunbar |
| Psychology | Christopher Barker |
| Real Estate | Dr Felipe Costa Sperb |
Modules | Erasmus Coordinators | Erasmus Administrator |
|---|---|---|
n/a | n/a |
- Erasmus Administrator:
[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 2023 - Faculty Exchange Co-ordinator:
Dr Tracey Coates
Modules | Erasmus Coordinators (or Course Leaders/Contacts) |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | Dr Mohamad Askari |
| Civil Engineering | Dr Paul Missa |
| Computer Science | Dr Beryl Jones |
| Geography and Environmental Science | Professor Nigel Walford |
| Mathematics | Dr Rosemary McNiece |
| Mechanical Engineering | Julian Mason |
Erasmus Administrators
- Georgina Sturrock (Chemistry, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Science)
Course and Student Administration Administrator
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 95044 - Jo Matthews (Social Work)
Course and Student Administration Team Leader
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 5083
Modules | Erasmus Coordinators (or Course Leaders/Contacts) |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | Professor James Barker |
| Biological Sciences | Dr Pedro Barra |
| Forensic Science | Dr Pedro Barra |
| Sport and Exercise Sciences | Dr Pedro Barra |
| n/a | Helen Sutherland |
| n/a | Farrukh Akhtar |
