UK Study Experience
Academic culture
If you haven't studied in the UK before, it is worth bearing in mind that the academic culture at university in the UK could be quite different from the study environment that you are used to.
One of the key features of higher education in the UK, and particularly at King’s, is that you will have direct contact with academic members of staff within your department. You are likely to have large group lectures, but you will also have smaller group seminars, practical sessions and tutorials. You may also see members of staff individually on occasions. Also, students are expected to actively participate in small group sessions and engage in discussions, rather than simply listen.
The academic culture is also relatively informal. Staff members will tell you how they wish to be addressed, but in many cases you will be on first name terms with them. Staff are also there to support and guide you through your programme, but you should bear in mind that you are responsible for your own learning. Time outside of lectures is your own but the understanding is that you will be spending a considerable amount of your time studying. Staff will not tell you to do this; it is something that is expected of you.
Visit our Preparing for study pages for further advice.
Term times
Term times are also different in Britain. Most UK universities operate according to term times with academic sessions starting in September/October, January and May. Virtually all our taught course postgraduate programmes start in September or October. Our term dates are published here.
Welcome and orientation event
The Student Advice & International Student Support team at King’s hosts an annual free Welcome and Orientation Programme for new international students at the beginning of the autumn term. The programme includes several events to welcome you to London, and will also provide you with lots of tips to help you adjust to your new study environment. Book your place from June onwards here.
Learning support
As well as offering a wide range of pre-sessional, foundation and pre-master’s programmes, once you start your degree at King’s you can take advantage of the free study skills and language support offered by the English Language Centre (ELC) for all students. All in-sessional and study skills courses are free for King’s College students and are open to both native and non-native speakers.
When you start at King’s you will also be allocated a Personal Tutor who is an academic within your Department who you can speak to about concerns that you may have. For more information about the role of the Personal Tutor and how to get the best out of your tutorial meetings click here.