Kings Education Bournemouth
The institution
Kings Bournemouth has been helping international students preparing for further studies at UK institutions since 1957. The school offers GCSE and A-level programmes, University Foundation Year programmes, and Academic English courses.
Graduates of African schools who have a national diploma (such as WAEC or the Bac in Francophone countries) need to attend Kings before applying to UK universities. Most students will complete a Foundation Year programme. After completing the Foundation programme and achieving the prerequisite grades, graduates can attain direct entry into certain British universities. The school also offers an Accelerated 1-year A-level program as well as a regular 2-year programme which enables access to all British universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Majors
The Foundation programmes at Kings Bournemouth cover a wide range of study areas. These include science and engineering, medicine and health sciences, business, law, computing as well as a range of art and design programmes.
Kings offers students a very small class size and provides a great deal of individual attention. Students can choose between either taking a Foundation programme that guarantees them admission to a particular university or a program to be considered for UCAS (Universities and College Admission Service) in the UK. There is a requirement to meet academic entrance criteria in both cases. Under the UCAS route, students may apply to up to five different institutions.
Kings students selecting the Medicine Foundation can opt for guaranteed entry into Aston or Keele Universities. The Art & Design Foundation is primarily designed to lead into Kingston University, London or University of West of England. The University of Bristol Foundation leads into a wide range of different areas of study, including business, engineering and social sciences, at a university currently ranked 91st in the world by Times Higher Education in its current 2021 World University Rankings.
In each year, there are up to three intakes for King’s Foundation. Despite this, the Medical Foundation programme has only one intake a year, in September. Students who have already finished A-levels or the International Baccalaureate may not need to take a Foundation course. Students seeking to pursue medical studies in the UK may still be advised to complete the Medical Foundation.
A student who did not attain their desired grades at A-level or the International Baccalaureate may opt for a Foundation programme in order to improve their grades and as a result gain access to higher-ranking British universities.
There is also a GCSE and A-level program at Kings, which are the exams that British students take at the age of 16 and 18 respectively and which allow access to the UCAS system. British students also study at Kings, particularly on A-level programs. A wide range of subjects are available at at A-level, including Art & Design, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, History, Physics, Biology, Maths,Psychology, English Literature and Government & Politics. Students usually take two years to finish their A-levels. For highly motivated and talented students Kings offers an Accelerated 1-year option.
Scholarships
A limited number of merit-based scholarships are available to African students applying for Kings’ GCSE, A-level or Foundation programs. The scholarship award will be worth up to 25% of the tuition fee. No additional application is required – students will be automatically assessed for any aware that they may be entitled to based on past academic performance.
Location
Bournemouth is located on the south coast, 90 from London. It is a traditional seaside resort town and has a very lively student population. Bournemouth beach is very famous in the UK and it is long and unspoiled – though you will probably want to wrap up in warm clothes still as it is rarely warm enough for sunbathing! Watersports are popular in Bournemouth, you can even surf there. Away from the coastline, there are a range of outdoor and indoor sports activities available – even a premier league football team. The unspoilt countryside of the New Forest is only a short trip away from the city. Great for walking and trail biking.
Campus Life
Kings Bournemouth has a very active social scene with a lot of clubs and societies organising events every week. Some of the most popular are the arts and textiles groups. Yoga, martial arts and beach volleyball are some of the perhaps less common sporting activities that students organise weekly. If you would like to try skiing or snowboarding; it is possible all year-round in Bournemouth at the Snowtrax centre – easier to get to than the Alps!
Housing
Kings offers a mix of housing options in Bournemouth. Carefully chosen homestay families remain a popular and affordable choice for many students, as they allow you to experience UK life close up. If students need to improve their English language skills, this is a great chance to practice with native speakers in an informal setting. Students can choose to share a twin room with another student or have a single room. There are also a limited number of single, en-suite rooms at additional cost. Kings will match you to a student of a similar age and, where possible, from a different language group, if you choose to share a room. Unless you have paid for an en-suite room, you will share a bathroom with other students and/or homestay family members. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily – dinner is a good time to catch up with your hosts and engage with them in conversation.
Those looking to live in an independent atmosphere may opt for residential accommodation. Kings Residential options are a maximum of 20 minutes from the centre. One is only 300 metres from the beach!! Single, studio and twin en-suite rooms are available. Students always have access to fully equipped kitchens, with cooking and storage (including fridge/freezer) facilities.
For lunch, both homestay and residential students make use of the on-site cafeteria facilities. Students have the option to purchase lunch, hot or cold drinks, or snacks, throughout the day.
What comes next?
Kings Bournemouth provides a small college environment that will give you plenty of personal attention and allow you to prepare for university life in the UK. Upon successful completion of your Foundation or A-level programme, you will start the next stage of your life – a Bachelor degree at a British university!
Seed loves Kings Bournemouth because...
Ultra-small classes means lots of personal attention
Study in one of the UK's most popular student towns, with proximity to many of the UK's best beaches
Excellent track record of placing students into Top-30 British universities
Quick Navigation
Key information:
Location: Bournemouth, UK
Type of Institution:
University Pathways College
Suitable for:
High School students High School leavers
Majors: University Foundation Year GCSEs A-levels
Annual tuition (in GBP): Up to £17,700 (International Business Foundation) Up to £22,650 (Advanced Level Foundation) Up to £27,800 (2-year A-level program and GCSEs)
Estimated annual expenses (GBP): Up to £26,907 (International Business Foundation) Up to £31,857 (Advanced Level Foundation) Up to £37.007 (2-year A-level program and GCSEs)
Number of students:
100
Campus housing?
Off-campus residence and homestay
Nearest airport: London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Need more info?
Other Colleges for UK university entry:
Institutions for Foundation Year students – those looking for UK university entry immediately after high school:
Institutions for UK Transfer students – those who want to complete their Bachelor degree in the United Kingdom and require a Foundation Year or Academic English:
Institutions for Postgraduate studies – those looking to apply for a Master’s or MBA in the UK and require a Foundation Year or Academic English: