Kingston University
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Welcome

Kingston University is the largest provider of higher education in south-west London with a history dating back to 1899.

We offer a huge range of courses through seven faculties, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, is proud to offer a vibrant and forward-thinking environment for study, with new and exciting courses regularly being added to our extensive portfolio. We offer a wide range of postgraduate courses in a variety of subjects, from the study of drama, creative writing, music, film and the media, through to criminology, economics, human rights, international relations, psychology, teacher training and politics.

For more information on our courses please visit our website

Our courses are designed in collaboration with industry professionals to ensure that the content and delivery are relevant to today's world, keeping you up to date with the latest developments and ensuring that you graduate as a marketable industry professional.

We also run over 150 masterclasses, conferences, events, lectures and workshops each year, giving you an opportunity to enhance your studies through attending performances, hearing the views of national and international figures first-hand, and by sharing ideas with fellow students, staff and experts.

Top-quality teaching

Many of our committed and enthusiastic staff are expert practitioners as well as leading academics, and often combine teaching with work at the cutting-edge of their fields of expertise. Several are engaged in interests of national and international importance, such as advising government and undertaking economic consultancy. As acclaimed specialists in their fields, our academics are also frequently called upon to provide expert opinion on world events and cultural topics.

In addition, many of our staff are actively engaged in research and have published widely in their specialist areas, sharing their in-depth knowledge through teaching.

The Faculty's links with industry mean that many internationally renowned specialists, including journalists, critics and broadcasters, authors, playwrights, musicians and theatre directors from around the world come to Kingston as visiting professors or lecturers to share their knowledge and experiences.

Excellent employment record

Our taught courses are designed to equip you with the skills to support your future career aspirations or enhance your current career prospects. We have an excellent employment record, with our graduates regularly securing top jobs and gaining promotions.

Vibrant research community

Kingston received a three-fold increase in research funding from HEFCE as a result of the Research Assessment Exercise - putting the University on a par with the most research-active new universities.

Research underpins teaching within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, with most staff engaged in research as well as teaching. In fact, the Faculty is one of the most research-intensive faculties within the University and has over 100 research-active academics. It is also home to seven out of the 18 units of assessment successfully submitted by the University in the last Research Assessment Exercise (2008).

The Faculty's research interests are spread across a wide variety of areas, including drama and dance; economics; education; English literature and creative writing; European studies; film and television; history; journalism and publishing; media and communication; politics, international relations and human rights; sociology and criminology; and psychology.

As well as taught programmes we offer a range of research degrees including MA, MSc, MPhil, PhD, EdD

Funding opportunities

Information about money matters and funding can be found on our website

A number of funding bodies offers financial assistance to students undertaking research degrees in the arts and social sciences. In particular, prospective students may want to consider applying to the following research councils for help with funding.

• Arts and Humanities Research Council
• Economic and Social Research Councilk

Prime location

Kingston is a beautiful place to study. Situated by the river Thames, steeped in history, a shopper's paradise and with plenty of top-quality wine bars and restaurants to relax in. London is only 25 minutes away by train, you don't have far to travel to access one of the greatest concentrations of resources in the UK, from the British Library to the British Film Institute, as well as many HQs of professional governing bodies and leading organisations.

Cutting-edge facilities

Kingston University is committed to its postgraduate community and has made significant investments in buildings and resources to make your learning experience as pleasurable and effective as possible.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is based predominantly at the University's Penrhyn Road campus, with education and music courses taught at the Kingston Hill campus. The Faculty has developed an extensive range of well-equipped facilities designed to offer a modern study environment and ensure that you graduate with cutting-edge skills.

• We have a range of dedicated computer labs for our students with course specific specialist hardware and software.
• Our new, state-of-the-art psychology laboratories house PCs with statistical analysis and experimental control software. We also have specialised laboratories for participant observation, including video-monitoring and recording apparatus, a sound-attenuated psychoacoustics laboratory, a cognitive laboratory, and a physiological laboratory.
• Our film and media lab provides specialist software, video and audio facilities for film, media, journalism and television students.
• Coombehurst House, on the Kingston Hill campus, is our main music building, which comprises a range of lecture, seminar and practice rooms, electronic music studios and computer suites. Further facilities are available at Coombehurst Studio, a purpose-built, fully equipped, isolated recording studio; and Coombehurst Lodge, which provides two control rooms, a live room and a vocal booth. These studios are complemented by a workstation room of Apple Mac computers.
• The music department has an extensive collection of instruments, and you will also have access to a vast collection of books, periodicals, sheet music and recordings. In addition, we subscribe to a large number of online music resources, which are accessible from all University workstations.
• Kingston's new Rose Theatre provides a main theatre stage, studio and education rehearsal room plus, the University's Reg Bailey Theatre has excellent facilities for both teaching and learning.
• Each campus has its own LRC (library) with resources relevant to the courses taught on that campus, zoned study areas with clusters of PCs, and wireless connectivity for laptop use, including free internet and email access. The larger LRCs also contain learning cafes. See www.kingston.ac.uk/library  for more information.

International students

Kingston University welcomes students from all over the world. We offer a range of support services specifically for international students, designed to ensure that you feel at home in our vibrant, multicultural community.

An International Student Co-ordinator is on hand to help with any queries you might have, from your initial enquiry through to graduation. Contact Penny Tribe on p.tribe@kingston.ac.uk for more information.

To find out more about Kingston University, and to download our International Student Guide, visit www.kingston.ac.uk/international