What Campus Reviews Reveal
Student reviews of Kingston University London highlight both strengths and one sharp warning. The Penrhyn Road campus, located in the town centre, receives consistent praise for its refurbished facilities and convenient setting.
Ahmed Faalzada gave a 5‑star rating, noting: “Kingston University London is one of the well‑known universities in London. It has several campuses, including Kingston Hill and Surbiton, and is very popular in the local area. The university offers a wide range of facilities for students. These include good transport connections, sports centres, e” (review truncated in source). Mary Mercy wrote: “Kingston University’s Penrhyn Road campus is an energetic and welcoming hub right in the heart of Kingston town centre. Its central location makes it easy to access shops, cafés, transport links, and the riverside, giving students the perfect balance between academic life and a vibrant urban atmosph” (also truncated). J Buncelman added: “Love new building! All refurbishment works made Penrhyn Road such a nice place to study!”
However, a 1‑star review by Aduri Vinod warns international applicants: “Indian students please avoid this university. MSc course structure is very basic. This is equivalent to engineering second year. University does not give re take option if international student can’t clear the module..avoid at all cost. The MSc certificate is of no value in india.”
While course quality is beyond the scope of a housing guide, the location and campus atmosphere are clearly positive for most reviewers. That central location – Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE – directly shapes student housing decisions.
City Context: Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames is a historic market town in southwest London, situated on the River Thames. It has its own town centre with shops, restaurants, and a theatre, yet is well connected to central London via train (about 30 minutes to Waterloo). The university’s main campus sits right in the town centre, making many housing options within walking distance.
Surrounding neighbourhoods include Norbiton, New Malden, Surbiton, and Teddington. Each offers different rent levels and commute times. Kingston itself is not a cheap part of London, but is generally more affordable than zones 1–2. Students typically choose between renting a room in a shared house (HMO), a studio flat, or purpose‑built student accommodation (PBSA) run by private operators.
Budget Bands for Student Housing (2026–2027)
All prices below are indicative – confirm with the operator. Figures are per week for the academic year 2026/27, based on typical market ranges for Kingston upon Thames.
- Budget‑friendly shared rooms: £120–£160 per week. This usually means older houses further from campus, often in Norbiton or New Malden. Bills may or may not be included. Rooms are basic but functional.
- Mid‑range shared or en‑suite: £170–£230 per week. This covers most purpose‑built student accommodation (PBSA) with en‑suite bathrooms, shared kitchen/lounge, and bills included. Many such blocks are within a 10–20 minute walk of Penrhyn Road.
- Premium studios or one‑bedroom flats: £240–£320 per week. Modern studios with own kitchen and bathroom, often in newer buildings close to the town centre. Some also include gym, study rooms, and social spaces.
- High‑end or luxury: £330+ per week. Very limited supply; usually larger studios or one‑bedroom apartments with river views or penthouse‑style finishes.
A quick way to estimate total annual cost: multiply the weekly rent by 51 (some contracts cover 44–51 weeks). For example, a £200/week mid‑range room over 51 weeks = £10,200. Always check the contract length and whether summer storage is available.
Walk vs Transit: Choosing Your Location
The Penrhyn Road campus is close to the town centre, so walking is the primary mode for many students. A 15‑minute walk covers most of central Kingston and parts of Norbiton. However, the university also has campuses at Kingston Hill and Knights Park (the latter near the town centre too). If your lectures are at Kingston Hill, which is about 2 miles south‑east, walking takes 35–40 minutes, so you may prefer a bus or bike.
- Walk‑to‑campus (≤20 min): Highest rent, but zero commute cost. Look for streets in KT1 (Kingston town, parts of Norbiton). Many PBSA blocks advertise “5 minutes to Penrhyn Road.”
- Bus or train commute (20–40 min): Cheaper rent, but add £50–80/month for travel. Surbiton and New Malden are popular options. Surbiton station is one stop from Kingston on the South Western Railway (about 4 minutes). New Malden has good bus links (K1, 213, 406). Teddington is also a short bus ride away.
- Cycle: Kingston is cycle‑friendly with riverside paths. A 10–15 minute bike ride can save £30–50/week compared to central accommodation.
Every housing decision involves a trade‑off: longer commute vs. higher rent. If you value time, prioritise places within 20 minutes’ walk. If budget is tight, look further out but check transport frequency and cost.
How to Shortlist Your Options Using Nearby Residences
Because the article data does not include specific residence names, the logic below applies generally to Kingston upon Thames. You can apply the same criteria when browsing any student‑housing platform.
Step 1: Filter by campus location.
Confirm which campus your course is based at. Most undergraduate teaching is on Penrhyn Road. Kingston Hill (business, law, social sciences) is a separate campus about 1.5 miles away. Knights Park (art, design) is also near the town centre but on the north side. Use the university’s room‑finder tool or a housing platform to restrict results to a reasonable walking distance from your main campus.
Step 2: Set your budget band.
Decide whether you want your own bathroom (en‑suite) or are happy sharing. Shared bathrooms are cheaper but mean less privacy. For indicative figures, see the budget bands above.
Step 3: Read reviews critically.
Look at recent reviews on the housing platform. Pay attention to comments about:
- Cleanliness and maintenance response
- Noise levels (especially near pubs or main roads)
- Management reliability (return of deposits, contract flexibility)
- Internet speed (important for online study)
Step 4: Visit or view virtually.
If possible, attend an open day or request a video tour. Photos can be misleading – ask for a live walkthrough or ask current tenants.
Step 5: Compare total costs, not just rent.
Subtract the cost of transport if you live further out. A £50/week saving may vanish if you spend £30/week on train fares. Also account for bills if not included.
Example shortlist logic (hypothetical):
- Student A: budget £180–210/week, wants en‑suite, walk <15 min to Penrhyn Road. Shortlist: three PBSA blocks within that radius. Compare reviews, contract lengths, and deposit schemes.
- Student B: budget £130–160/week, happy to share bathroom, willing to bus 20 min. Shortlist: HMO listings in Norbiton or New Malden. Check bus route to campus and check for multiple reviews.
Using a housing platform that shows distance to campus, reviews, and price filters will speed up this process.
FAQ
Q: What is the average rent for student housing near Kingston University in 2026–2027?
Indicative average for a room in a shared house is £170–£200/week. For a studio, £230–£270/week. These are estimates – confirm with the operator.
Q: Is it better to live in Kingston town centre or commute from Surbiton?
Living in Kingston town centre means you can walk to campus and avoid transport costs, but rents are higher. Surbiton is about 4 minutes by train or 15 minutes by bus, and rents can be 10–20% lower. Choice depends on your budget and how much you value walking time.
Q: Are there any purpose‑built student accommodations (PBSAs) on or near campus?
There are several PBSA buildings within a 10‑minute walk of Penrhyn Road, such as those around Eden Street, Fairfield Road, and near the river. You can find them listed on student‑housing platforms with reviews and indicative prices.
Data as of March 2026. Prices are indicative – confirm with the operator. University rating and reviews sourced from public profile (g_rating 4.1, 511 reviews). Student quotes are verbatim from the source.
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