4-week Summer School (Credit Bearing)

We offer an excellent range of classes, with the option to take one or two. These classes offer a great balance of academic teaching and relevant field trips. They’re fully accredited and worth 3 U.S. / 6 ECTS credits each.

The summer school classes focus on experiential learning in and around the London area. As they are field-trip based, our classes require a lot of walking. So please only apply if you are happy to be on your feet a lot!

If you are taking two classes, you need to select one from group A and one from group B (due to timetabling).

The classes on offer for 2026 are:

• British Culture and Society – Group A
• Live Theatre – Group A
• Creative Writing – Group B
• Harry Potter and the Order of Popular British Icons – Group B

To find out more about each class and download the relevant syllabi, visit our summer school classes page.

Please note, Kingston University reserves the right to cancel a class due to insufficient student enrolments.

• Orientation programme – the orientation programme and welcome reception will give you the chance to meet your fellow students and the summer school staff
• Evening activities – we will arrange some evening social activities during the programme
• Optional weekend trips – there will be two long weekends (four days) during the summer school, giving you the chance to undertake independent travel
• British Culture field trips – if you are not taking the British Culture class, you may still have the opportunity to participate in its field trips (depending on space and your schedule). You will need to pay a fee per trip

Summer school students will be housed at one of Kingston University's Seething Wells halls of residence based in Surbiton. Each student will have a single study private bedroom with ensuite bathroom. There will be a suite of between 5 and 8 rooms sharing a kitchen.

You will benefit from:

• A central Surbiton location, a 15-minute walk along the river (or short bus ride) to the Penrhyn Road campus (where classes take place); Surbiton also has fast train links into central London (16 minutes by train)
• Supermarkets (grocery stores) nearby in Surbiton and Kingston, plus a daily fruit and vegetable market in Kingston
• WiFi internet connection in your halls of residence and on campus. (Bring your laptop, but check that it is dual voltage. You can either buy a new power cable in Kingston or use a plug adaptor. You should not use a voltage converter.)
• The University’s libraries and computing facilities (wireless internet access is available in the library)
• Non-smoking accommodation
• On-site laundry facilities

Bedrooms and the kitchen will be cleaned weekly, although you should keep the kitchens and bathrooms clean and tidy on a daily basis.

We will provide:

• Bed linen (changed weekly)
• One towel (changed weekly)
• Pots, pans, crockery and cutlery, so you can prepare your own meals in the shared kitchen
• Cleaning equipment

You may also need additional electrical items (compatible with the UK voltage system) such as desk fans, hairdryers and straighteners. However, it is a good idea to wait and buy these in the UK, because they must be dual voltage.

Our summer school programme includes:

• Unlimited travel in London, zones 1–6
• Friendly, dedicated summer school staff, on hand to ensure participants have the experience of a lifetime
• A full orientation programme
• Free airport pick-up and drop-off on the designated days
• Access to Kingston, a beautiful riverside town, just 30 minutes from central London, with fantastic cultural, social and shopping facilities
• Access to Surbiton, a suburb with a fast London train link and a selection of shops
• A fun, engaging and memorable study abroad experience in an informal and friendly atmosphere

All amounts are payable in pounds sterling and can be paid by inter-bank transfer or by credit card. In the middle of May, we will invoice you for your fees. Your fees must be paid in full by the middle of June 2027. 

• if you withdraw before 15 May 2027, there is no charge
• if you withdraw after 15 May 2027, before arriving at Kingston University, you will receive a 100% refund of fees, less a £500 administration charge
• if you withdraw after arriving at Kingston University
  • you will have the option to switch to summer school [2028] at no additional cost, or to receive a 90% refund of fees less a £500 administration charge, if you withdraw prior to the first day of classes (12 July 2027) 
  • you will receive a 75% refund, less a £500 administration charge refund, if you withdraw after the first day of classes (12 July 2027) but before [15 July 2027] (the end of the first full week of teaching)
  • you will receive no refund if you withdraw after [15 July 2027]
• If your chosen class doesn't run due to low numbers, we will notify you in early May, and transfer you to your second choice of class. You have until 15 May to withdraw without financial penalty.

Kingston University is not able to administer any financial aid/scholarships that summer school students would normally receive through their home college or university.

Students from the US, in receipt of Financial Aid, must check with the Financial Aid Office at their home institution about the procedures while studying abroad.