Kingston University- the Truth?
So, my firm uncondition offer for english lit and journalism lies with Kingston. This decision came after hearing lots of good things about the uni and the place itself, and after falling in love with everything on the open day...it seemed really cosmopoliton, with students who adored the course and lecturers.
However, over the past month I've been hearing really bad things about it- eg it's a rough/ghetto area, it's a badly taught uni, it's for stupid people etc...all completely different to my own impressions of the place, which granted were limited because I only spent a few hours there on the open day, but obviously this is all making me pretty nervous about going there in September now...
Does anyone go there, or know anyone who goes there, or even lives in the area, who could give an honest opinion of the place? Thanks
However, over the past month I've been hearing really bad things about it- eg it's a rough/ghetto area, it's a badly taught uni, it's for stupid people etc...all completely different to my own impressions of the place, which granted were limited because I only spent a few hours there on the open day, but obviously this is all making me pretty nervous about going there in September now...
Does anyone go there, or know anyone who goes there, or even lives in the area, who could give an honest opinion of the place? Thanks
Scroll to see replies
Hi, Power.
I'm off to Kingston too this year (Not sure what campus English is taught on, but I'm at Kingston Hill doing teaching). Like you, I fell in love with the uni after open days and have always loved the area with my mother's side of the family growing up there.
A lot of the impressions people give come from the fact that it's an ex-poly. Others come from individual experiences - And everyone will have different experiences.
It ranks middle-way amongst the league tables, generally. So, it's not bad but it's not the best. And I personally feel that once you start hitting into the middle-ranking unis, you need to stop looking at league tables and the like, and start looking at how you would like to go to uni. If it fits what you want for a university, you shouldn't let anyone put you off. And that goes for whereever you go - Not just Kingston.
I'm off to Kingston too this year (Not sure what campus English is taught on, but I'm at Kingston Hill doing teaching). Like you, I fell in love with the uni after open days and have always loved the area with my mother's side of the family growing up there.
A lot of the impressions people give come from the fact that it's an ex-poly. Others come from individual experiences - And everyone will have different experiences.
It ranks middle-way amongst the league tables, generally. So, it's not bad but it's not the best. And I personally feel that once you start hitting into the middle-ranking unis, you need to stop looking at league tables and the like, and start looking at how you would like to go to uni. If it fits what you want for a university, you shouldn't let anyone put you off. And that goes for whereever you go - Not just Kingston.
Powerchord
So, my firm uncondition offer for english lit and journalism lies with Kingston. This decision came after hearing lots of good things about the uni and the place itself, and after falling in love with everything on the open day...it seemed really cosmopoliton, with students who adored the course and lecturers.
However, over the past month I've been hearing really bad things about it- eg it's a rough/ghetto area, it's a badly taught uni, it's for stupid people etc...all completely different to my own impressions of the place, which granted were limited because I only spent a few hours there on the open day, but obviously this is all making me pretty nervous about going there in September now...
Does anyone go there, or know anyone who goes there, or even lives in the area, who could give an honest opinion of the place? Thanks
However, over the past month I've been hearing really bad things about it- eg it's a rough/ghetto area, it's a badly taught uni, it's for stupid people etc...all completely different to my own impressions of the place, which granted were limited because I only spent a few hours there on the open day, but obviously this is all making me pretty nervous about going there in September now...
Does anyone go there, or know anyone who goes there, or even lives in the area, who could give an honest opinion of the place? Thanks
I'm just about to go into my third year at Kingston (Kingston Hill) and i really like the university and Kingston itself. My course is very well taught and i sometimes find it quite challenging (which is what you would expect of a uni course). The lecturers (in my experience) are always willing to help you out and many have several office hours in which you can visit them.
As for Kingston itself, the area is fine. There are some dodgy areas, but then you get them with everywhere you go, and i honestly doubt anything would happen to you. Kingston is a beautiful town and you don't have to go far to get to places like Richmond Park and Bushy Park... lovely green areas where you can walk round or just sit down and enjoy a picnic in the summer. You're only 20 minutes from London should you fancy something a bit different.
If you have any other queries feel free to PM me
I've lived in Kingston since I was about 4, so hopefully I can alleviate some of your concerns (although I can't really tell you anything about the uni, just the area).
IMHO, it's a really nice town. You get some rough types who frequent The Works nightclub (although apparently their Indie night is quite nice), and just like anywhere it has it's share of chav's but they are pretty harmless - I haven't had anyone 'start on me' there since I was about 14.
That all sounds rather negative really but in fact I think Kingston is just the opposite. It's got a really great shopping centre (The Bentalls Centre), an enormous pedestrianised area with more shops than you can shake a stick at. There is a big Cinema/Bowling alley/Restaurants complex, a LOT of pubs (and most are really nice) and a lot of places to go and eat (from cheap to, er, not so cheap). There's also the Thames River - which is really lovely to walk up and down. There are lots of pubs and restaurants along the river front, and also lots of rural/grassed areas to sit and have a picnic or something.
Depending on how rural a part of Wales you are from, you'll probably find most people a bit cold - but that's just 'the London way'. Don't expect people to smile at you and say good morning, and if you do that you'll probably get funny looks. But that's not to say people are out right rude.
Another good thing about Kingston - you can get ANYWHERE in London with ease. There are loads of buses going a multitude of places, a train station, and Surbiton is a short walk or shorter bus journey away which has an even better train station (much faster trains to central London and more links to elsewhere).
To be honest, I don't think there is much that you'd want to get or do that you couldn't do in Kingston. I hope you like it there!
IMHO, it's a really nice town. You get some rough types who frequent The Works nightclub (although apparently their Indie night is quite nice), and just like anywhere it has it's share of chav's but they are pretty harmless - I haven't had anyone 'start on me' there since I was about 14.
That all sounds rather negative really but in fact I think Kingston is just the opposite. It's got a really great shopping centre (The Bentalls Centre), an enormous pedestrianised area with more shops than you can shake a stick at. There is a big Cinema/Bowling alley/Restaurants complex, a LOT of pubs (and most are really nice) and a lot of places to go and eat (from cheap to, er, not so cheap). There's also the Thames River - which is really lovely to walk up and down. There are lots of pubs and restaurants along the river front, and also lots of rural/grassed areas to sit and have a picnic or something.
Depending on how rural a part of Wales you are from, you'll probably find most people a bit cold - but that's just 'the London way'. Don't expect people to smile at you and say good morning, and if you do that you'll probably get funny looks. But that's not to say people are out right rude.
Another good thing about Kingston - you can get ANYWHERE in London with ease. There are loads of buses going a multitude of places, a train station, and Surbiton is a short walk or shorter bus journey away which has an even better train station (much faster trains to central London and more links to elsewhere).
To be honest, I don't think there is much that you'd want to get or do that you couldn't do in Kingston. I hope you like it there!
lol kingston is not a rough area. The area is really quite nice, i live near there! Theres a nice shopping area with its fair share of bars and clubs - oceana included. its easy to catch a bus to other social hotspot areas e.g - twickenham, richmond, ealing!
The university itself isn't very high in the league table but hey, i know someone that wen there and loved it!
The university itself isn't very high in the league table but hey, i know someone that wen there and loved it!
Snobbishness from people who don't think ex-polys can compete with "real universities". If you fell in love with the uni then isn't that all that counts?
Some teaching at the post 1992 universities can be poor but some of it can more than match traditional unis. I know its English department is rated excellent.
Anyway, isn't Kingston a fairly pleasent and affluent area, on the outskirts of the city? I can think of far worse locations.
Some teaching at the post 1992 universities can be poor but some of it can more than match traditional unis. I know its English department is rated excellent.
Anyway, isn't Kingston a fairly pleasent and affluent area, on the outskirts of the city? I can think of far worse locations.
I went to Kingston University for two years before leaving my course (a Graphic Design foundation degree) without graduating. That was due to disillusionment with what I was doing and the realisation that this degree was not suited me. I'm now at Goldsmiths studying History and I'm a lot happier.
Anyway, the town itself is really quite nice. There's plenty of shops catering to all tastes and the same goes for restaurants and pubs. I wouldn't call it a rough area at all.
As for the university, it's a mixed bag. I did not like the main building, Penhryn Road, as it seems more like a sixth form college than a university building. The library there is quite decent. And it now has a brand new quadrangle, which at least gives the campus a central meeting point for socialising and work discussion. English is taught here so you will be spending some time here.
That's the only really bad campus. Knight's Park is the art and design site and is located on a quiet residential street within 10 minutes walk of Penhryn Road. It's situated beside the river Hogsmill and it's quite pleasant during the Summer. This campus could do with some refurbishment work but it's perfectly adequate as it is. As Art and Design is one of Kingston's strengths, I would recommend it to someone who wants to study an A&D subject.
I only visited Kingston Hill once but it's definitely the nicest campus by far. As it's the only site with halls, it did have some sense of a community feel to it. I never went to the engineering site at Roehampton Vale but I know this is another area Kingston is good at.
The main problem it has is that all the sites are so widely spread out. Both KH and RH are about 3 miles from the town centre and bus service is not very regular at either site. This makes it difficult for socialising across the sites and thus there's a real lack of atmosphere and typical student behaviour. I certainly feel more like a university student at Goldsmiths than I ever did at Kingston.
It's not the worst uni in London by any means but it's really nothing great either IMO. But, if you like it and you don't have the grades to get into something higher in the ranks, then that's fine.
Anyway, the town itself is really quite nice. There's plenty of shops catering to all tastes and the same goes for restaurants and pubs. I wouldn't call it a rough area at all.
As for the university, it's a mixed bag. I did not like the main building, Penhryn Road, as it seems more like a sixth form college than a university building. The library there is quite decent. And it now has a brand new quadrangle, which at least gives the campus a central meeting point for socialising and work discussion. English is taught here so you will be spending some time here.
That's the only really bad campus. Knight's Park is the art and design site and is located on a quiet residential street within 10 minutes walk of Penhryn Road. It's situated beside the river Hogsmill and it's quite pleasant during the Summer. This campus could do with some refurbishment work but it's perfectly adequate as it is. As Art and Design is one of Kingston's strengths, I would recommend it to someone who wants to study an A&D subject.
I only visited Kingston Hill once but it's definitely the nicest campus by far. As it's the only site with halls, it did have some sense of a community feel to it. I never went to the engineering site at Roehampton Vale but I know this is another area Kingston is good at.
The main problem it has is that all the sites are so widely spread out. Both KH and RH are about 3 miles from the town centre and bus service is not very regular at either site. This makes it difficult for socialising across the sites and thus there's a real lack of atmosphere and typical student behaviour. I certainly feel more like a university student at Goldsmiths than I ever did at Kingston.
It's not the worst uni in London by any means but it's really nothing great either IMO. But, if you like it and you don't have the grades to get into something higher in the ranks, then that's fine.
Powerchord
it's for stupid people
Correct, 10 points.
Well, not exactly- that perception comes about because their grade offers are quite low. Kingston is decent but again, anywhere post-1992 is rather stigmatized. Let's just say they have their strengths and weaknesses.
akmd
I went to Kingston University for two years before leaving my course (a Graphic Design foundation degree) without graduating. That was due to disillusionment with what I was doing and the realisation that this degree was not suited me. I'm now at Goldsmiths studying History and I'm a lot happier.
Anyway, the town itself is really quite nice. There's plenty of shops catering to all tastes and the same goes for restaurants and pubs. I wouldn't call it a rough area at all.
As for the university, it's a mixed bag. I did not like the main building, Penhryn Road, as it seems more like a sixth form college than a university building. The library there is quite decent. And it now has a brand new quadrangle, which at least gives the campus a central meeting point for socialising and work discussion. English is taught here so you will be spending some time here.
That's the only really bad campus. Knight's Park is the art and design site and is located on a quiet residential street within 10 minutes walk of Penhryn Road. It's situated beside the river Hogsmill and it's quite pleasant during the Summer. This campus could do with some refurbishment work but it's perfectly adequate as it is. As Art and Design is one of Kingston's strengths, I would recommend it to someone who wants to study an A&D subject.
I only visited Kingston Hill once but it's definitely the nicest campus by far. As it's the only site with halls, it did have some sense of a community feel to it. I never went to the engineering site at Roehampton Vale but I know this is another area Kingston is good at.
The main problem it has is that all the sites are so widely spread out. Both KH and RH are about 3 miles from the town centre and bus service is not very regular at either site. This makes it difficult for socialising across the sites and thus there's a real lack of atmosphere and typical student behaviour. I certainly feel more like a university student at Goldsmiths than I ever did at Kingston.
It's not the worst uni in London by any means but it's really nothing great either IMO. But, if you like it and you don't have the grades to get into something higher in the ranks, then that's fine.
Anyway, the town itself is really quite nice. There's plenty of shops catering to all tastes and the same goes for restaurants and pubs. I wouldn't call it a rough area at all.
As for the university, it's a mixed bag. I did not like the main building, Penhryn Road, as it seems more like a sixth form college than a university building. The library there is quite decent. And it now has a brand new quadrangle, which at least gives the campus a central meeting point for socialising and work discussion. English is taught here so you will be spending some time here.
That's the only really bad campus. Knight's Park is the art and design site and is located on a quiet residential street within 10 minutes walk of Penhryn Road. It's situated beside the river Hogsmill and it's quite pleasant during the Summer. This campus could do with some refurbishment work but it's perfectly adequate as it is. As Art and Design is one of Kingston's strengths, I would recommend it to someone who wants to study an A&D subject.
I only visited Kingston Hill once but it's definitely the nicest campus by far. As it's the only site with halls, it did have some sense of a community feel to it. I never went to the engineering site at Roehampton Vale but I know this is another area Kingston is good at.
The main problem it has is that all the sites are so widely spread out. Both KH and RH are about 3 miles from the town centre and bus service is not very regular at either site. This makes it difficult for socialising across the sites and thus there's a real lack of atmosphere and typical student behaviour. I certainly feel more like a university student at Goldsmiths than I ever did at Kingston.
It's not the worst uni in London by any means but it's really nothing great either IMO. But, if you like it and you don't have the grades to get into something higher in the ranks, then that's fine.
Hi akmd,
i'm planning on studying architecture at knights park. i got placed into bridge house, apparently its suppose to be a 10 minute walk to knights park, but i check on google map and its 20 mins!?
also do you know what is bridge house like? i wanted middle mill but didnt get a room in there.
yeahyeahyeahs
Hi akmd,
i'm planning on studying architecture at knights park. i got placed into bridge house, apparently its suppose to be a 10 minute walk to knights park, but i check on google map and its 20 mins!?
also do you know what is bridge house like? i wanted middle mill but didnt get a room in there.
i'm planning on studying architecture at knights park. i got placed into bridge house, apparently its suppose to be a 10 minute walk to knights park, but i check on google map and its 20 mins!?
also do you know what is bridge house like? i wanted middle mill but didnt get a room in there.
I can't really help you there as I wasn't in halls. Good luck with your course.
I live near kingston and the area is actually pretty nice. as it's been said before it's pretty easy to get around the whole of london. if your getting sick of kingston after a while, there's always twickenham, kew, richmond to roam around which are beautiful!
good luck (:
good luck (:
ur going to study english and journalism but you cant spell cosmopolitan....what does that tell you? yes kingston is for dumb people. think you'll find you'll fit right in *thumbs up*
Portishead
ur going to study english and journalism but you cant spell cosmopolitan....what does that tell you? yes kingston is for dumb people. think you'll find you'll fit right in *thumbs up*
Oh for God's sake. There are some sad people on this board picking up spelling errors to pass the time. Ever heard of a typo? Get over it.
I've lived in Kingston for a number of years, and completed my first year of university there last year studying Journalism.
Firstly, the town is very nice, has everything you'd expect from a nicer part of Greater London, excellent variety for shopping. Hampton court is a worthwhile visit, has a few clubs (Oceana, Mccluskies, The Works - avoid, Bacchus) and is generally a nice borough. However, I wouldn't buy into the whole Kingston University London, the fact is it's not in London and it takes 25minutes or so to get anywhere near central and it may not seem long...but no one regularly goes, and the more prestigious london universities are obviously favoured for city placements.
The university however isn't so nice, the new 'John Galsworthy' building at the main Penrhyn Road campus makes it feel a little more like a university - although it doesn't really make up for the horrid main building and temporary building that has been up for the last thirty years or so. Each campus shares little and they feel more like seperate colleges. Teaching was ok and students seemed semi-interested, bearing in mind Journalism actually has the best achieving students (uni stats) in terms of A-level grades.
Theres nothing terrible about the university, and I wouldn't take criticism from the more elitist central london students to heart. However, for me, the fact remains that it felt more like a college then university and the fact that it has continued to drop in the tables in the last few years aswell as being dogged by various controversy, I felt a move was needed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_university#Controversies.
Firstly, the town is very nice, has everything you'd expect from a nicer part of Greater London, excellent variety for shopping. Hampton court is a worthwhile visit, has a few clubs (Oceana, Mccluskies, The Works - avoid, Bacchus) and is generally a nice borough. However, I wouldn't buy into the whole Kingston University London, the fact is it's not in London and it takes 25minutes or so to get anywhere near central and it may not seem long...but no one regularly goes, and the more prestigious london universities are obviously favoured for city placements.
The university however isn't so nice, the new 'John Galsworthy' building at the main Penrhyn Road campus makes it feel a little more like a university - although it doesn't really make up for the horrid main building and temporary building that has been up for the last thirty years or so. Each campus shares little and they feel more like seperate colleges. Teaching was ok and students seemed semi-interested, bearing in mind Journalism actually has the best achieving students (uni stats) in terms of A-level grades.
Theres nothing terrible about the university, and I wouldn't take criticism from the more elitist central london students to heart. However, for me, the fact remains that it felt more like a college then university and the fact that it has continued to drop in the tables in the last few years aswell as being dogged by various controversy, I felt a move was needed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_university#Controversies.
ziggycj
How easy would you say it would be to travel there daily from east/south east London?
Cos I dont really wanna leave home but there arent any Unis near. Is it in or out of London?
Cos I dont really wanna leave home but there arent any Unis near. Is it in or out of London?
In what area of East/South East London do you live?
I live near Streatham in South London, and it took approx 30 minutes on a bus to get there for the open day, so not that bad. There's lots of buses that go there and there's also a train station.
Try checking out these sites:
http://maps.google.co.uk/
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
Elvendork
In what area of East/South East London do you live?
I live near Streatham in South London, and it took approx 30 minutes on a bus to get there for the open day, so not that bad. There's lots of buses that go there and there's also a train station.
Try checking out these sites:
http://maps.google.co.uk/
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
I live near Streatham in South London, and it took approx 30 minutes on a bus to get there for the open day, so not that bad. There's lots of buses that go there and there's also a train station.
Try checking out these sites:
http://maps.google.co.uk/
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
At the mo, I live in Leyton (waltham forest). But might be moving to Sidcup. Both of which are nowhere near
My parents own a flat in Kingston and I spend a bit of time there during the holidays. I think it's a cool area. There's the Bentalls centre too. 
ziggycj
How easy would you say it would be to travel there daily from east/south east London?
Cos I dont really wanna leave home but there arent any Unis near. Is it in or out of London?
Cos I dont really wanna leave home but there arent any Unis near. Is it in or out of London?
I sed exactly the same as you before I applied this year. I thought all these people who live in london getting accomadation are silly. Until i actually did the journey. It was a killer getting up early just to make a nine o clock lesson =[.
it took me a week to realise i needed accomadation fast.
Test the journey out first cos i know loads of people who live in south london and it still takes them an hour to get here. Also think of delays as well.
If u really don't wanna move out thats good u will save money but probs miss out on an experience.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Life as a PG Student at Kingston University
- Making Friends at University
- Does what university I go to matter for an Actuarial Science degree?
- Questions relating to PG studies at Kingston University.
- Kingston or Middlesex? MA Graphic Design
- Deciding on a university to study Midwifery
- idk what university to go to
- Indian student in Kingston University, Fall 2024
- Kingston University Official Applicants Thread 2024
- foundation year or retake A-Levels twice
- guided independent study
- Kingston Uni Upcoming Open Day Events!
- FAQ for postgraduate students
- Kingston Mpharm Interview
- Which university for BA Illustration in London?
- Queens belfast MBA vs Kingston London MBA
- Freshers' Week Advice Kingston University
- What should I pick as my firm choice and my backup choice?
- An Overview of Kingston's Four Campuses
- Difficulty in making choices
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 week ago
My experience of Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) as a Kingston University’s studentLast reply 1 month ago
Top Tips to Stay Warm while Saving Energy this WinterLast reply 1 month ago
What shall I look out for when searching for a house?
