Access and additional support

At Kingston University, we work hard to ensure that students from different backgrounds and circumstances have the opportunity to study, and enjoy their time with us. We offer dedicated access and support services to students with disabilities, mature students, young people leaving public care and more.

Digital support

We recognise some students will need additional digital support to access learning and therefore offer long-term laptop loans (for the duration of your course) and WiFi grants of up to £150 through our Digital Support Scheme. Applications will open during the summer and outcomes will be communicated by 3 September 2021. You will be required to collect your device on campus once you have completed your enrolment and sign up to our loan policy agreement.

The Digital Support scheme is open to new entrants who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You are a newly-registered student at Kingston University for the 2021/22 academic year, enrolled on a foundation, foundation year, undergraduate degree or postgraduate taught programme delivered at one of the main KU campuses (Kingston Hill, Kingston Hill/St George's, Knights Park, Penrhyn Road, Roehampton Vale and Kingston College)
• You are a Home student eligible for the maximum maintenance loan from Student Finance England (or equivalent); EU students only entitled to the Tuition Fee loan are not eligible for this scheme.
• Your household income, as assessed by Student Finance England, is £25,000 or less. You must apply for student finance through Student Finance England (or equivalent) and be income assessed before we can assess your application for a loan. 

We hope to provide support to all students who qualify based on the above criteria. In the event that applications exceed the number of devices available, priority will be given to applicants who also meet one or more of the following criteria:

• A commuter student (travel time to campus from your term-time address is 50 minutes or more, as calculated by Google's Distance Matrix API2).
• From a disadvantaged area or background. (As defined by standard measure for areas of deprivation (IMD), low socio-economic position based on occupation (NS-SEC) and areas where participation in higher education is low (POLAR4)).
• A declared learning difference or mental health condition. (As self-declared at the time of enrolment/re-enrolment).

Disabilities: access and support

If you have a disability, specific learning difference or long-term health condition, we can make practical adjustments to help you fully benefit from your studies and student life. Disabled students can access a number of facilities and support services including:

• adapted accommodation;
• study support, specialist IT equipment and software;
• disability allowance to help with university finances; and
• disabled parking.

Our disability advisers are on hand to assist you with any academic, financial or living requirements. For more information please visit our disability web pages.

Head Start

Head Start aims to support the access, transition and success of individuals from groups under-represented in higher education. Head Start is an orientation programme which has been designed to help individuals prepare for life as an undergraduate student. We offer a series of events taking place between July to September. In order to attend Head Start you must be a Home/EU student holding a firm offer for an undergraduate course at Kingston University and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• You are the first generation in your family to progress to higher education (ie. your parents have not been to university; but if a brother or sister has, you are still eligible for the scheme).
• You are a mature student (aged 21 or over on 1 September before you start your course) who does not currently hold a bachelors degree.

• Your family household income is less than £25,000 per year.
• You identify as being disabled or have a specific learning difference.
• You are under the age of 25 and have spent time in care in the UK, been placed in a foyer or are estranged from your family.
• You are recognised by social services as a young adult carer.
• You are in receipt of the Sanctuary Scholarship.
• You are entering Higher Education with a BTEC as your main qualification.

However, if you do not meet any of the above criteria, but would like to attend Head Start, then we recommend that you still complete the booking form. We will then place you on a waiting list and inform you if a place becomes available.

If you have any questions about our eligibility criteria then please contact us for more information.

Learn more about Head Start.

Mature student support

Kingston University is a popular choice for mature students (aged 21 or over), making up around 38% of the student population (figures from 2014 academic year). From the start of your degree you can join the Mature Students' Society and get involved in the Mature Students' Forum for peer-to-peer support. You can also benefit from:

• support through Head Start;
• part-time study options – to help you balance work and home commitments; and
• childcare provision – with the excellent university-run nursery.

See our mature students section for more information.

Care leavers support

We were one of the first universities to be awarded a Quality Mark by children's charity Buttle UK for our commitment to helping young people with a background in social care.

Care leavers are supported through KU Cares, giving them guidance on the admissions process, transitioning to higher education or just building confidence and making friends through their events. You will also receive useful benefits including:

• 'annual £1,500 bursary, paid in three equal termly instalments'; and
• priority when applying for halls of residence.

Find more information about our care leaver support.