Kingston upon Thames is a market town on the river in south-west London, and Kingston University's International Study Centre has run there with Study Group since 2010. Students take a foundation year, an international year one or a pre-master's, then move onto a Kingston degree if they meet the grades. Business, computing and engineering routes are the main ones. Art and design pathways also exist.
Kingston upon Thames, London, United Kingdom
Official website: kingstonisc.com
Pathway centre run with Study Group
Kingston University
2010
£17,000 – £22,000
International students, pathway programmes, per year
£14,000 – £18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on kingstonisc.com before you apply.
International Foundation Year (Business)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 4.5, TOEFL: 45
International Foundation Year (Computing and Engineering)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 4.5, TOEFL: 45
International Year One (Business)
DiplomaDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 60
Pre-Master's Programme (Business and Law)
Pre-MastersDuration
6 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 55
Pre-Master's Programme (Computing and Engineering)
Pre-MastersDuration
6 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 55
An international year one that leads into the second year of a Kingston degree.
Study on a riverside town campus 25 minutes from central London.
Business and computing routes with English support built in.
Students who pass with the right grades continue onto a Kingston University degree.
Kingston's business school and its computing courses are common destinations.
After graduating, students can apply for the two-year Graduate visa.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Kingston's old market place and riverside pubs are a few minutes' walk from the university. Richmond Park, with its deer, starts on the edge of town.
Trains from Kingston reach London Waterloo in about 25 minutes. Rents are high for outer London, so many students share houses or live in university halls.
CAS from Kingston University
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
The centre takes applications year-round. Apply at least three months before your intake to leave time for the CAS and visa, as January places can fill.
Foundation, year one and pre-master's courses start in September and January. Some pre-master's routes also have extended versions.
A UK Student visa, sponsored by Kingston University. Once you hold a CAS, apply online, show funds held for 28 days, and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Most decisions come back within three weeks from outside the UK.
Business and computing are the busiest routes at foundation, year one and pre-master's level. The foundation needs completed secondary school and IELTS about 4.5; year one asks for stronger grades and IELTS 5.5.
Study Group offers scholarships on pathway fees for some intakes. Kingston University also runs awards for international students on the degree that follows.
