An international perspective: The benefits of studying at King’s College London

06 Jun 2016

With over 27,600 students from 150 countries, King’s College London is one of the most culturally diverse higher education providers in the world. As a World Top 20 University with a distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, sciences and social sciences, King’s students benefit from an air of prestige that brings the globe’s top scholars, teachers, thinkers and researchers together under one roof in the heart of the UK’s vibrant capital.

One of the most iconic global hubs, London attracts the best international talent for cultural, business, political, media, legal and sporting affairs, and as an integral part of the overall King’s experience, with five stunning campuses lining the banks of the River Thames, the winding city streets of London present a playground of opportunities for the students of King’s College London.

“I chose to study at King’s College London because of its high level of education and reputation,” says Dana Damanhouri, a Saudi Arabian national enrolled on one of King’s notable International Foundation Programmes.

“Coming all the way from Saudi to study here in London was a bit challenging – of course I was nervous. However, I found it very simple and easy to adapt to. London is very fun, there’s so much to do and you never get bored of it and there’s just so much diversity that it wasn’t too much of a culture shock for me,” Dana adds; and with one of the world’s entertainment and academic nerve centres at her feet, her educational aspirations were far from misplaced.

Image courtesy of King’s College London

As an overseas King’s student, Dana, along with all her classmates, automatically became a member of the King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU); a membership that entails a bright spectrum of events spanning the course of the academic year. Through the organisation of social, sporting and cultural activities, as well as ample opportunities to help students develop skills and have their voices heard, the award-winning KCLSU ensures that students get the most out of their time at King’s and in the UK’s colourful capital.

Whether students come to King’s with a deeply ingrained passion or with an urge to delve into something new, there is a huge variety of clubs and societies in which King’s students can get involved, make new friends, have fun and become a part of its familial student community. “I joined a lot of societies so I was able to mix with students from undergraduate levels, not just foundation levels,” Dana says.

King’s boasts a long and successful history of helping international students make their dreams a reality, and the University’s esteemed English Language Centre forms an integral part of this tradition.

Recognised as a Centre of Excellence and a Top 20 Language Centre in the UK, the King’s English Language Centre understands the challenge of entering a brand new academic environment, not just in terms of language, but also in terms of adjusting to a fresh intellectual culture. The primary goal for King’s is to prepare and support students in both of these areas through programmes ranging from the full-time International Foundation Programmes and International Pre-master’s , to the 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-week comprehensive English pre-sessional programmes.

Students studying their preparation programmes through the King’s English Language Centre benefit from access to resources that are truly unparalleled. The Open Learning Centre contains a vast range of cutting-edge resources to help broaden students’ knowledge beyond the classroom and facilitate independent learning.

From October 2016, the King’s English Language Centre will move into the newly refurbished Bush House, next to the King’s Strand Campus. The relocation will unite the university’s international reputation and aspirations with a building that eloquently expresses Britain’s global history and connections, both with other English-speaking peoples and with other countries throughout the world.

Bush House. Image courtesy of King’s College London

Being part of the broader King’s student community, students undertaking their preparation programme have access to the best international student support. This includes personal tutors and a dedicated King’s English Language Centre welfare officer.

Student also have access to the Compass, a service providing practical support and information that students need to navigate through their studies and any personal issues that may arise. The Compass is based in four libraries across all campuses and accessible to all students in-person, online and by phone.

“In the King’s library there is the area that’s called the Compass. Whenever I had a problem with transportation, with accommodation, with anything outside the university, all my questions were answered and it’s available all the time for all students,” says Dana.

The King’s English Language Centre delivers the highest quality programmes for academic preparation to enter into UK undergraduate and postgraduate study. With the support of tutors who are leaders in their field, students are offered the best possible start to their UK academic career.

Image courtesy of King’s College London

Dana remains eternally grateful for the support and far-reaching opportunities she received in her time at King’s, and with her outstanding achievements going far from unnoticed by her prestigious host institution, Dana recently accepted an offer she simply could not refuse.

“I recently received an undergraduate offer at King’s for Digital Culture and I want to investigate the way that technology is really dominating, especially with the younger generation, and how the media is sending a very powerful message,” says Dana.

“King’s is very friendly and I love the freedom to express myself in every class. I have really learned a lot with every passing day.”

At King’s, new students are welcomed into a vibrant and diverse international student body, making it an ideal place to establish a real home away from home. From day one, international students are guided through a range of orientation experiences, helping them to settle in with minimum fuss. With support on everything from visa information to applications, and from Academic English and study skills support to graduate destinations, international students like Dana can achieve something truly great – all part of the unique King’s College London experience.