An international student’s guide to King’s

Hi there, I am Amna. I am an international student on the MSc Climate Change, Environment, Science and Policy course. Welcome to King’s! We are happy to have you come on board.

Moving to a new country can be a daunting experience, but it is useful to know the university caters to our needs. It is common for us as international students from diverse educational backgrounds to take some time to settle and adjust to new culture. However, rest assured there are plenty of resources and support to make you feel at ease and help you have a well-rounded experience.

Below I share my top tips on getting started at King’s to help you hit the ground running.

What to expect during Welcome Week

To begin with, I highly recommend attending Welcome to King’s from Monday 12 to Friday 23 September to find opportunities, join societies, book events and meet people from different departments. This will contribute hugely to your student experience at King’s! Check out Welcome to King's page, which covers everything you need to know in a comprehensive way about joining. It also has a dedicated section for international students.

As part of Welcome, International Orientation is good to-do check list because it will allow you to make the best possible start at King’s. There will be online and on campus events, giving you the opportunity to meet other students, feel part of the King’s community and find out more about life in London.

You can also book your tickets to the KCLSU Welcome Fair at Old Billingsgate on Thursday 22 September and Friday 23 September and find out about a variety of societies, clubs, and student groups to academic support and events. This will be a good chance to broaden your horizon, learn a new skill and meet new people to thrive at King’s.

Adjusting to city life

London is a vibrant city bursting with life in every corner. While you are here, I recommend you get to know your campus and find out about things to do around King’s. When you are more settled in, try new things on your own or with a group of people. There are plenty of fun things to do in London and cities across the country.

To help get you set up, you can find tips on opening a bank account on Student Services Online and King's Money Mentors are here to support you on a range of financial topics.

I would also advise you meet new people online or on campus and, if you’re in halls, the ResiLife programme is a good way to build student community while at King’s. You can also check out KCLSU student societies and events to help beat homesickness and potentially make lifelong connections.

Get support for your studies

I recommend signing up for Academic Skills for Learning on KEATS. This will highlight useful skills to succeed at university. If you are unfamiliar with the UK education system, the buddy scheme is also a good way for knowing your peers and receive support on your higher education journey. It will help you make sense of what is expected of you at university in terms of academics, social life etc.

Students with specific learning disabilities should also register with Disability Support & Inclusion. They can help you with learning techniques, software accessibility and educational support during your academic journey.

Student discount

As students, we are also eligible for student discount on a range of things like transport, clothes, food, electronics and more. Don’t forget to download and register on UNiDAYS, Student Beans, TOTUM with your student ID to see what discounts you are eligible for.

Finally, university is a transformational time for many students and this experience is meant to nurture us into whoever we want to be in the world. It is also a time to be brave, grow, try things outside your comfort zone and engage with people from all walks of life.

Most importantly, be mindful and only take on tasks you can handle, sign up for events and activities that you wish to contribute to. The student community is shaped by people like yourself, so get involved.