We want you to relish your time as a King’s Foundations student and really enjoy your experience. But we know that moving to a new country can be daunting, and you might need a little support to adjust.

To help you make the most of your student life, we have a range of support options available to you.

When you join King’s, you’ll find a whole team focused on making sure you thrive during your studies. The Student Experience Team looks after student welfare and will support you throughout your King's International Foundation Programme.

This is done by creating a safe, welcoming and friendly environment that encourages you to discuss non-academic matters, hosts events and activities to help you meet other students and connects you to the King’s community and the wider services offered across the university.

As a King's International Foundation Programme student, you’ll get a Personal Tutor who will help you address any academic issues, navigate your university application, and provide guidance when appropriate. You also have access to a Wellbeing Advisor, who can help you find and access any support you may need.

In addition, you’ll be able to arrange online or on-campus sessions with a Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Leader. These are former Foundation students who have progressed to undergraduate study at King’s and will be able to answer questions about life as a King’s student in London or continuing your study at King’s and help you get academic support.  

The moment you join King’s, you’ll become an important part of our student body. That means you’ll be able to join the King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) and get involved in typical student life through societies, university-wide events and beyond.

You’ll be based in central London, with many world-leading institutions on your doorstep. This offers a unique opportunity to enhance your education beyond the classroom by joining field trips or independently visiting an array of establishments and using their resources, where permitted. University students in London, for example, can use the British Library - other people need to apply for this privilege!

The British Film Institute, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, Shakespeare’s Globe and much more are within walking distance of the Strand campus, where you’ll be based.

King’s has a specialist Careers & Employability team that will support you with your career aspirations from the moment you join the International Foundation Programme.

The team has a range of information tailored for international students seeking career guidance. This includes advice on how to:

• navigate UK visa and immigration
• find roles in the UK as an international student
• research the biggest international student-sponsoring employers
• build your experience and enhance your CV
• make compelling applications for job vacancies
• prepare for interviews.

King’s students can book an in-person or virtual appointment with a specialist Careers Consultant or Application Advisor. They offer career coaching and planning, can provide feedback on already-prepared CVs, cover letters, personal statements and job applications or will help you practise for a job interview.

There are other ways to develop your soft skills and strengthen your CV while you’re at King’s. For example, you could become a Student Ambassador and help prospective students learn more about what it’s like to study the King's International Foundation Programme. This paid position could see you talk to students during Open Days or online events, become a Unibuddy and chat with students, lead campus tours, and more. You can continue such a role through your undergraduate degree too.

Once you’ve progressed to undergraduate study, you could also join the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS). You’ll receive specialist training so that you can support the next cohort of Foundation students during their Foundation year via in-person or online sessions.

During your King's International Foundation Programme, there are a range of skills you’ll develop that will not only help you succeed at university but also appeal to future employers. These include:

• communication
• comprehension
• presentation
• intercultural competence
• collaboration and teamwork
• adaptability and resilience
• time management
• critical thinking

We truly value the importance of student voice, and it’s part of our mission to listen and learn from our students so we can make real changes and improvements to the King's International Foundation Programme.

You’ll be invited to become a Student Representative and help influence positive, student-led change. In addition to developing your leadership skills, you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring your fellow students have a voice and an opportunity to provide feedback.

Each pathway has its own Student Representative, and you’ll find out more about this exciting opportunity from the Student Experience Team.

Each year, we’ll recognise the hard work and outstanding achievements of King's International Foundation Programme students with an end-of-year event. You’ll have the chance to be celebrated for excellence in a range of categories, including academic performance, essay-writing, critical thinking, academic progression, intercultural proficiency, resilience and more.