30,823 discussions, 145 guides
Kingston University
30,823 discussions, 145 guides
Kingston University
Kingston University
River House
55-57 High Street
Kingston-upon-Thames
Surrey
KT1 1LQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 8547 2000
1992
SUblime
A fortnightly newspaper, its a bit thin, but its managed to meet all its deadlines and get out regularly, which is more than it's predecessor Tsar managed.
Lawrence Dallaglio- Rugby player
Graeme Le Saux- Footballer
Nick Hornby- Novellist
Kingston is split into 4 sites and each has its own facilities. Overall Kingston has two main problems socially. First of all it takes many students from the local area. This means that people often live at home or spend a great deal of time there. There is no real spirit or atmosphere to the university as a whole. Secondly the students' union has to compete with the town, which is virtually impossible. All of the uni bars close at 11pm and revellers have to decamp to the town for late night action. There are however functions during fresher's week.
Penrhyn Rd.
This is the main site and has a simple bar and dancing space. It has recently been refurbished and has a fair capacity. It is a favourite with sports players on Wednesdays before a big night out. The bar is also popular with Asian students and this is reflected in the music policy. There are quite few student DJ's and the decks are open to all. The building also holds the dubious title of 'Europe's largest temporary bulding.' Overall it is pretty clubby in style.
Knights Park
This is the arts site and thus has a pretty relaxed clientele. The bar looks out on the river and is lovely in the Summer sun. The music policy is mainly indie and pop.
Kingston Hill
This site is the university's business school and is the furthest away from town and the main administrative centre. The decor is pleasant and the students are usually aspiring city types so cocktails are a favourite. Music is mostly commercial pop. As this site is the most isolated and is the only one with halls, it has a reasonable atmosphere. Still nothing to rival other colleges though.
Roehampton Vale
This is the engineering site and most people here work pretty hard so don't get out much.
The lack of any real bond or atmosphere at Kingston doesn't stop the students getting up to some jolly capers. One story from a reliable source told how after a night out in town a group of students couldn't be bothered to walk home and so stole a double decker bus being garaged for the night at the local bus station. They made it all the way home and thoughtfully left it at the end of the road so as to make sure it could easily be turned around in the morning. You might think that unofficial-guides.com condones these sort of activities. We, of course, couldn't possibly comment.
There are some functions at the start of term but most entertainment after 11 goes on in town. Sports teams take on much of the organisation of events so getting involved can be a good way to ensure a non-stop party. Many students complain that the union does nothing to provide them with entertainment. This is fair criticism but the union cannot afford to run functions that nobody turns up to.
The Summer Ball comes in for plenty of criticism as it is generally poorly organised. The colours ball, organised by sports teams is a much more professional affair and has recently been held at The Hilton on Park Lane and the Royal Lancaster. If you are not a sports player then getting involved as a social member is the best bet.
Something for everyone with quite a few foreign and particularly Asian societies, reflecting the cultural make up of the uni. From a sporting point of view Kingston has well organised sports teams with all traditional field sports represented and an American Football Club, run in association with Surrey University.
The swimmers have been doing well.
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Kingston has plenty of halls accommodation and people rarely miss out. The sites are spread out across town and its luck of the draw where you will be staying, i.e. its not based on where your subject is taught. Most work on the basis of having your own room but sharing washing and cooking facilities with about 8 others. Probably the best is Middle Mill as it is the closest to town and quite smart. Clay Hill is OK but is unfortunately miles away from the university, and as a result less popular.
After the first year there is usually halls accommodation available but many students choose to live out. Surbiton is popular despite being quite far away. It is on a direct line into London though and is the quickest route to town. There are a range of flats and houses all being pretty much the same standard. New Malden is cheap and popular as is Kingston itself but it is very pricey and landlords are not keen on renting to students. Avoid the Cambridge Estate, it is notoriously rough.
Kingston is a shopping mecca and is socially excellent. The local pubs and clubs are student friendly and play a good range of music. For commercial dance and pop head to Works, formally Volts, The Lounge and Options. For all cheese fans McCluskey's is the place to go and Bacchus is best for indie and rock. The area is generally smart but pleasantly unpretentious.
Parking in town is in expensive multi storey blocks and should be avoided. When busy the traffic flow in the centre is very poor and causes long traffic jams on most major approach roads. The University has some limited, permit-based parking, but not really enough.
A cashpoint on the Penrhyn Rd campus and there are branches of all major banks dotted around and within easy reach.
Dyslexia sufferers are well catered for and access for wheelchairs is not bad. It could be better though.
There is a small shop at the Penrhyn Rd campus which is a bit limited, otherwise the local area provides.
Waterstones is the official bookshop and there are others in Kingston itself.
Facilities are split up around the sites which is a little annoying. They include: playing fields, tennis courts, gym, fitness centre and aerobics studio.
Kingston's transport policy is excellent. There are free buses between all sites and halls. These are regular, quick and efficient.
The local area is very green. The river is bordered by some lovely parkland and Hampton Court is nearby. Heading out of town there is deep countryside within a 20 minute drive.
Libraries are present at each of the four sites and share 423 000 books based on subject orientation. There are 1470 study places. This is just about enough. There have been big improvements in library facilties and service and the majority of students now rate the library highly. Official government stats show that all of Kingston's departments have top marks for learning resources.
Around 1600 computers. Bring your own if you have one. There can be a wait at dissertation time.
An excellent welfare setup which includes resources for alternative medicine and sports injuries. There is a stress relief group and free dental checks. Aside from this though the union has been described as 'pretty bloody unhelpful.'
