We have a range of social, cultural, academic and sporting extracurricular activities on offer every week for students to join and get the chance to socialise with other students on the King’s Summer Programmes. We have two streams of activities – one for our Undergraduate students and the other for our Pre-University students.
Part of being at university is the opportunity to join a social community. University societies cover a vast range of interests and subjects from rowing to biomedical sciences and there are hundreds of societies at King’s. Our Pre-University extra-curricular programme gives students a first taste of what it’s like to join and be part of a society.
For our Undergraduate students, our extra-curricular programmes allow students the opportunity to make genuine and long-lasting friendships with people across the globe. Whether you’re testing your trivia prowess at one of our pub quizzes or joining other students at a guest lecture, our summer extra-curricular programme can enrich your time studying with is at King’s College London.
Examples of previous events our students have enjoyed:
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5-a-side football tournaments
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‘Treasures of the Thames’ historical walking tours
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Crafting workshops
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King’s Summer Pub Quiz (Undergraduate stream only)
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‘Stories of the Strand: A History of King’s College London’ guest lecture
All students are automatically eligible for our extra-curricular activities by enrolling onto our summer programmes and most of our events are completely free. Students can also book onto additional activities together such as trips to the West End to see a famous theatre show via our e-Store – keep an eye on our socials when these launch!
Want to know more about our campuses? Read below to discover how to get around, hangout spots, places to eat and drink, and where to study.
King’s College London has five fantastic campuses dotted around the city:
• Strand Campus (including Bush House)
• Guy’s Campus
• Waterloo Campus
• Denmark Hill Campus
• St. Thomas Campus
Most of our summer programmes are based at Strand and Guys Campus, but students can expect to potentially visit our other campuses for specific sessions. Navigating around our campuses is easy with the helpful guides linked above.
All of our campuses are well-connected via the London Underground and Overground networks. Strand Campus can be reached via Temple station (District or Circle line), Covent Garden station (Piccadilly line) and Holborn station (Central or Piccadilly line). Strand is also serviced by a variety of TfL buses with routes from all over the city.
Guy’s Campus is a stone’s throw outside of London Bridge station and so can be accessed via the Northern and Jubilee lines as well as a multitude of National Rail lines.
We recommend downloading Google Maps or Citymapper to help navigate London’s transport system.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/visit/london-maps
We have a variety of food outlets on each campus for you to enjoy refreshments, a well-needed cup of coffee and a spot of lunch! You can find information on all of our KCL outlets here:.
We also have the fantastic KCLSU spaces, The Shack and The Shed, at our Strand and Guys campuses. Ran by our Student Union, they’re a great spot for a quick bite as well as a great study spot!
We’re also very lucky to be based in the heart of the city, so there are plenty of options to enjoy just outside of campus too! Strand Campus is on the doorstep of Covent Garden, with fantastic restaurants, cafés and shops to enjoy whereas Guys Campus is a five-minute stroll away from the famous Borough Market and also enjoys all of the amenities within London Bridge station.
Strand:
The newly pedestrianised Strand is a wonderful asset central to the Strand campus. It is not only a cohesive link between Strand and Bush House, but also a place to sit and rest, admiring the beauty of our surroundings. It is a place for quiet, as well as a place for lively conversations and socialising. There are also regular art displays that take place along here, meaning there is always something new happening.
Guy’s Quad:
The Quad is a great space to hang out and eat lunch during the summer months, with bright sunshine illuminating the green space at the heart of Guy’s campus. It can serve as a space for events as well as socialising, and we know it is just one of the features that our medical students will enjoy on our summer programmes.
We also have plenty of study spaces for you to focus, research and prepare your assessments across King’s. Not only do we have our fantastic library spaces (read more below) but every campus also has plenty of computer rooms, quiet spaces and study rooms for you to enjoy.
Our libraries:
• Maughan Library (Strand Campus)
• New Hunt’s House Library (Guy’s Campus)
• Franklin Wilkins Library (Waterloo Campus)
• Foyle Special Collections Library (Strand Campus)
• St Thomas’ House Library
• The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) Library
For a full map of our libraries, look at this website to find maps and opening times:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/library/libraries/locations
Follow the below link to find all the best study spaces across King’s
https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01761/en-us
We take everyone’s safety and security on campus very seriously, and ensure the safety of our students and staff at all times. Please read below for more information on what we do to make the campus safe.
Security on campus
King’s campuses and residences all have security cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Security support can be accessed at our security receptions or by calling +44 (0)207 848 2222 or extension 2222 from a King’s landline phone. There is also a help point by Shepherd’s House on Guy’s campus where you can call for assistance.
Security in Residences
Please familiarise yourself with our Policies (link to policies section). This is the most important and up-to-date repository of information regarding your safety as a Summer Programmes student.
More information can be found on the King’s internal webpages (https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01373/en-us), though please note, some of this information will be more pertinent to the wider student body of King’s, as opposed to Summer students, so do refer to our policies section for specific guidance.
How you can personally contribute to safer public spaces
All of us can play our part in making public spaces and streets safer. When you are out after dark, or the streets around you are quiet, please consider the following:
�� Be mindful of your belongings and try to keep valuables in a secure location on your person – e.g., a zip pocket or internal pocket. Though London is a lot safer than its reputation would have you believe, any global city does attract opportunistic crime. Be particularly vigilant around large train stations or tourist attractions as these are seen as hubs for easy targets unfamiliar with the city.
• Keep your distance. For example, rather than coming up behind someone, consider crossing the road. Someone walking ahead of you may perceive you to be a threat, even if that’s not what you intend.
• If you can’t cross the road, avoid coming up behind someone quickly or quietly. For example, call out ‘runner passing on your right’; make a phone call, or pretend to make one, to a family member or friend. Silence can be scary.
• Give other people space – if you’re passing someone else on a footpath or pavement, give as much space as possible to avoid crowding them, and move into single file if you’re walking with someone else.
• Avoid making eye contact/staring or making personal comments to or about someone you don’t know. Be an Active Bystander –
- If you see someone on their own who appears to be in distress, don’t ignore it – if safe to do so and without putting yourself in any danger, ask the person if they need any help or call the police on 999 telling them where you are and what you can see.
- If you sense someone is in a situation that’s making them uncomfortable, it can be more helpful to speak to the other party, rather than to the person who’s on the receiving end of their unwanted attention, as long as it is safe to do so. For example, asking for directions or the time can help defuse a difficult situation.
- If you’re on campus alert the KCL security teams on 020 7848 8661 ext. 88661
- Don’t be put off approaching someone who may need assistance, but think about how best to communicate reassurance rather than increase their concerns.
• Sign up to the UN Women UK’s campaign for safe public spaces to learn more. Their research shows that over 70% of women in the UK have experienced sexual harassment in public, and all of us can contribute to ensuring that public spaces are safer.
London is a vibrant city and has a lot to offer, whether you're interested in the arts, sport, food, shopping or the outdoors. We are brilliantly situated in the heart of London, which means you will be next door to all the most famous sights and attractions.
There are simply too many to list all in one place, but to give you a sense of what’s on our doorstep within a few minutes walk, see below:
Strand Campus sights and attractions:
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Guy’s Campus sights and attractions:
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• Oxford Street
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• The Shard
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• Hyde Park
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• London Bridge
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• Houses of Parliament/Big Ben
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• Borough Market
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• Covent Garden
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• Tower of London
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• Royal Courts of Justice
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• Tower Bridge
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• St James' Park
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• Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
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• Buckingham Palace
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• Southbank
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Follow the links on this page to discover more about the city we are so lucky to call home.
Pre-arrival information will be available in the coming months. Check back here for guidance on the steps you will need to take in order to register as a KCL student
Read below to see what our students think of our Summer Programmes.
The course[Medical Sciences] was taught in an engaging and clear way and was very interesting to listen to with plenty of participation. I also made lots of friends and met lovely people from all over the world. It was the best week of my life and I will remember it for years to come! (Pre-University)
I truly loved my stay at King’s. I learned more about my subject, which has confirmed that I certainly want to study it at university. Furthermore, I’m now looking to apply to King’s. The campus, its location, students and the staff are wonderful. King’s is incredibly accessible and welcome and I wholeheartedly recommend their summer school. (Pre-University)
My stay at King's was an incredibly fun and uplifting experience. Although I went in slightly nervous on how the course would go, I made good friends and managed to properly grasp the essentials of law in the United Kingdom. An excellent course that I would definitely recommend to anyone who's interested in studying law. (Pre-University)
This whole journey has helped me more how I wanted to shape my career. I didn't think I could learn so much in 10 days it surprised me. (Undergraduate)
King's summer school was one of the best decisions I made in 2023. Studying international relations with classmates from all over the world was an eye opening experience. Having high-level guest speakers brought much depth to this course. Strongly recommended! (Undergraduate)
It is an extraordinary journey of enlightenment to embark on the study at KCL, which was founded by the man who triumphed over Napoleon. The fruitful material and interactive teaching methods have provided me with a clear structure of knowledge in this field, significantly enhancing my postgraduate research on trade wars at Oxford University. The grandeur of the library, coupled with the opulence of the Bush House, has profoundly shaped my perception of London's magnificence. These experiences have been more than just enlightening; they have been a voyage of discovery, a deep dive into the intricate interplay between war and diplomacy, and a newfound appreciation for the profound impact these forces exert on our world. (Undergraduate)
I was lucky to be nominated to be a part of King's Undergraduate Summer School Programme- it changed my life! I got the chance to look at my favourite subject through multiple different perspectives, and in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The experience of living in London was thrilling- and it's one I'll never forget. (Undergraduate summer exchange)