We have a range of extracurricular activities on offer every week for students to join, giving them a chance to socialise with other students on the King’s Summer Programmes whilst discovering London. We have two streams of activities – one for our Undergraduate students and one for our Pre-University students.
Part of the university experience is the opportunity to become part of a vibrant social community. For Pre-University students, we offer a social programme that provides a taste of university life, allowing them to experience the independence, connections, and exciting activities that come with it. Through a range of events, group activities, and outings, students can explore campus life, build friendships, and develop a sense of community with their peers.
For Undergraduate students, our extra-curricular activities provide the chance to form lasting friendships with peers from around the world. Whether it's showcasing your trivia skills at a pub quiz or attending a guest lecture, our summer extra-curricular programme enriches your time studying at King’s College London.
Examples of previous events our students have enjoyed:
- 5-a-side football tournaments
- Walking tours around the sights of London
- Shopping trips
- Picnics in the park
- Networking events
- Bowling
- Theatre trips
All students are automatically eligible for our extra-curricular activities by enrolling onto our summer programmes.
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 Guy’s 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 from London Bridge station, meaning it’s easily 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.
Food and drink
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! We also have the fantastic KCLSU spaces, The Shack and Guy’s Cafe, at our Strand and Guy’s 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. Guy’s Campus is a five-minute stroll away from the famous Borough Market and also enjoys all of the amenities within London Bridge station.
Communal spaces
Strand campus
The newly pedestrianised Strand is a wonderful asset central to the Strand Campus. It is not only a safe and convenient way to get between Strand and Bush House, but also a place to sit and rest, admiring the beauty of our surroundings. It is a lovely place for both quiet contemplation and lively conversations and socialising. There are also regular art displays that take place along here, meaning there is always something new happening.
Guy’s campus
The Quad is a great space to hang out and eat lunch during the summer months, being a beautiful 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.
Study spaces
There are 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)
- St Thomas’ House Library
- Weston Education Centre Library (Denmark Hill Campus)
For a full map of our libraries, look at this website to find maps and opening times. Click here for all the best study spaces across King’s.
Security
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. 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, 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. We also recommend that you keep your phone in your pocket when not using it. 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.
- 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:
Strand campus
- Oxford Street
- Hyde Park
- Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
- Covent Garden
- Royal Courts of Justice
- Buckingham Palace
- St James' Park
Guy's campus
- The Shard
- London Bridge
- Borough Market
- Tower of London
- Tower Bridge
- Shakespeare's Globe
- Southbank
Pre-arrival information will be published near the start of your programme, so check back here for guidance.
Hear from our students:
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)
The fact that I was able to study for two weeks in the summer at a prestigious university like King's, meet so many interesting people, and explore London at the same time is truly something I am grateful for. It was a perfect balance between coursework, social activities, and time for exploring this charming city. (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)
The interactive lectures, having access to the slides and more in KEATS, and going to places rather than normal lectures sitting in class made my experience even better. King's had people from more than seventy nationalities, I made new friends that I wouldn't have if I didn't go. Besides being an educational experience where I learned so much about a course that I am planning to study in university, I made new friends from various countries! (Pre-University)
My time in King's was one I would remember for a lifetime, even if I don't come back to study. The teachers who taught the summer school were passionate about sharing what they have learnt throughout their careers. I couldn't ask for any better professors, the wisdom and the way they interact inspired me to look deeper into the subjects (Undergraduate)