About the university
Kingston University traces its history to Kingston Technical Institute, which opened in 1899. It became Kingston Polytechnic in 1970 and a university in 1992. Its campuses are in Kingston upon Thames, in south-west London.
Kingston teaches business, computing, engineering, art and design, health and social sciences. Many master's include an optional 10–12 month professional placement year.
For Indian students the main draws are a London location and optional placement years. For 2027/28, most master's on this page cost £18,300 to £23,300 a year, and the MBA is £25,000. A £5,000 international scholarship is available to postgraduate offer holders.
Kingston upon Thames is in south-west Greater London. Kingston's own sample budget puts halls at about £200 a week and total living costs at about £350 a week.
- Founded
- 1899 as Kingston Technical Institute; Kingston Polytechnic from 1970; Kingston University since 1992
- Total students
- About 16,420 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 42% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 19.7 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Penrhyn Road, Kingston Hill, Knights Park and Roehampton Vale, in south-west London
- Intakes
- September for most master's; January for some, such as Data Science MSc
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=686 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
1001–1200 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £23,300
- Duration
- 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element); PTE 59 (59 in each)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £23,300
- Duration
- 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element); PTE 59 (59 in each)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £22,900
- Duration
- 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element); PTE 59 (59 in each)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £23,300
- Duration
- 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element); PTE 59 (59 in each)
- Postgraduate
International Business Management MSc
- Fee / year
- £22,900
- Duration
- 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element); PTE 59 (59 in each)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £22,900
- Duration
- 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element); PTE 59 (59 in each)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Fee / year
- £25,000
- Duration
- Most students finish in 12 months; optional placement year
- Intakes
- Admissions throughout the year; join the next available group
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element); PTE 59 (59 in each)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £21,500
- Duration
- 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element); PTE 59 (59 in each)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science MSc | 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement | £23,300 | ≈ ₹28.4 lakh |
| Artificial Intelligence MSc | 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement | £23,300 | ≈ ₹28.4 lakh |
| Business Analytics MSc | 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement | £22,900 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
| Data Science Conversion MSc | 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement | £23,300 | ≈ ₹28.4 lakh |
| International Business Management MSc | 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement | £22,900 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
| Project Management MSc | 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement | £22,900 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Most students finish in 12 months; optional placement year | £25,000 | ≈ ₹30.5 lakh |
| Mechanical Engineering MSc | 1 year full time (180 credits); optional 10–12 month professional placement | £21,500 | ≈ ₹26.2 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Kingston University with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Postgraduate taught
Kingston International Scholarship
Value: £5,000 towards first-year tuition
Eligibility: International students who already hold an offer for a Kingston postgraduate course. Apply for the course and intake named in your scholarship application.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Selected master's (for example Data Science MSc)
International Success Support Scholarship
Value: £2,500
Eligibility: International students starting eligible courses (published for January and September 2026 starts). Check the course page for 2027.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-time courses
Loyalty bursary and alumni discount
Value: 10% off tuition
Eligibility: International applicants with a previous connection to Kingston (family, study abroad or summer school), and Kingston graduates moving to postgraduate study.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Apply through UCAS. Indian high school qualifications can count as English evidence if specific grades are met; see Kingston's country pages.
- Self-funded international undergraduates paying in instalments pay 50% of the fee before enrolment.
Postgraduate
- Each course page links to its own entry criteria; a portfolio or interview may be requested if you do not clearly meet them.
- Some courses are designed for career changers, such as the Data Science Conversion MSc for non-computing graduates.
- Self-funded international postgraduates pay a £5,000 deposit before enrolment.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate and transcripts (master's) or Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's)
- English test certificate (IELTS or TOEFL in most cases)
- Personal statement
- Portfolio if requested
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (postgraduate) | 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element (Kingston School of Art: 6.5 with 5.5; Journalism MA 7.0) |
| IELTS Academic (undergraduate) | 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each element |
| PTE Academic | 59 overall with 59 in each element |
| TOEFL iBT (from January 2026) | 4.5 overall for postgraduate, with two elements at 4.5 and two at 4 |
| Duolingo | Not accepted. Indian Class 12 English may be accepted if specific grades are met. |
Accommodation and living costs
Kingston has more than 2,000 rooms in halls including Chancellors Hall and Walkden Hall at Kingston Hill, Clayhill in Surbiton (700+ en-suite rooms), Middle Mill at Knights Park, Seething Wells and Penrhyn Road. Postgraduates take a 49-week contract in 2026/27, and a £250 advance payment secures a room. Kingston's sample weekly budget is shown below.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Halls of residence (sample budget) | £200per week | ≈ ₹24,400 |
| Food | £60per week | ≈ ₹7,320 |
| Total living costs (sample budget)Includes halls, food, books, housekeeping, phone and socialising | £350per week | ≈ ₹42,700 |
| Halls advance paymentSecures your booking | £250one-off | ≈ ₹30,500 |
Campus and location
Kingston's campuses are in and around Kingston upon Thames: Penrhyn Road, Kingston Hill, Knights Park and Roehampton Vale, linked by an intersite bus (£1.10 a journey).
- Optional 10–12 month professional placement on many master's.
- More than 2,000 rooms in halls across Kingston and Surbiton.
- Mechanical Engineering MSc meets Further Learning requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status for holders of an accredited CEng (Partial) bachelor's.
- 42% international students (THE 2027 data).
Careers and graduate outcomes
Many Kingston master's let you add a 10–12 month professional placement year. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the current rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International students as a share of all students | 42% | THE World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a master's at Kingston cost?
For 2027/28, the master's on this page cost £18,300 to £23,300 a year for international students, and the MBA £25,000. Fees went up from 2026/27 for most courses.
Can I start in January?
Some courses have advertised January starts, for example Data Science MSc in 2026. Check the course page for your intake.
What IELTS score do I need?
Most postgraduate courses need IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each element. Kingston does not accept Duolingo.
Is there a scholarship for Indian students?
Kingston offers a £5,000 International Scholarship to postgraduate offer holders and has offered a £2,500 International Success Support Scholarship on selected courses.
Is Kingston in London?
Yes. Kingston upon Thames is in south-west Greater London.
Sources
- Kingston University: Data Science MSc (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: Artificial Intelligence MSc (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: Business Analytics MSc (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: MBA (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: Money Matters International 2026/27 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: fees and funding (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: English language entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: halls of residence (opens in a new tab)
- Kingston University: our history (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: Kingston University (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.kingston.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details