King’s College London – a complete guide

King’s College London (KCL) is the sixth-largest university in the UK and one of the two founding colleges of the University of London. Founded in 1829, during a time when only members of the Anglican Church could graduate from Oxford and Cambridge, King’s College London challenged religious admission restrictions. This sparked controversy and ultimately led to a duel between the Duke of Wellington (supporter) and the Earl of Winchilsea (critic). This event is still commemorated annually on King’s Duel Day, around 21 March.

King’s College London is ranked 31st in the QS Global University Rankings 2026 and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It has produced 14 Nobel laureates, three Oscar winners, heads of state, Booker Prize winners and Grammy Award recipients. It established the world’s first nursing school, has the largest university endowment in London, and is the biggest biomedical research centre in Europe. The King’s Business School holds Triple Crown accreditation, and the university has received a Gold rating for student outcomes and employability.

Global Collaborations and Partnerships

King’s College London is known for its international partnerships and research collaborations. It offers joint degrees with:

• Columbia University (USA)
• National University of Singapore
• University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
• Hong Kong University

It has also co-founded:

• The London School of Geometry and Number Theory
• The London Centre for Nanotechnology (with UCL and Imperial College London)

KCL is a member of the SES Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Alliance and hosts a WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory used during the London 2012 Olympics.

Faculties and Campuses

King’s College London comprises nine faculties and approximately 40,000 students. Its teaching and research take place across five main campuses:

Main Campuses

• Strand Campus – Arts & Humanities, Law, Natural & Mathematical Sciences, Business, Social Sciences
• Denmark Hill – Dentistry (part), Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience
• Guy’s Campus – Life Sciences & Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology
• St Thomas’ Campus – Medical and Dental training
• Waterloo Campus – Nursing & Midwifery, Palliative Care, Life Sciences

Choosing a Course at King’s College London

King’s College London offers 27 online courses, alongside 180 undergraduate and approximately 300 postgraduate taught programs. The courses span a broad range of fields, from engineering, psychology and medicine to humanities and social sciences and finance and law.

Popular Undergraduate Courses

• Medicine
• Law
• Business Management
• Nursing
• International Relations
• Economics
• Biomedical Science
• Computer Science
• Psychology
• Accounting and Finance

Acceptance Rates

KCL’s overall acceptance rate is 13–15%, but this varies significantly by course:

Course	Acceptance Rate
Dentistry	11%
Medicine & Surgery	13%
Computer Science	16%
Geography	91%
European Politics	92%

Postgraduate Courses at King’s College London

At postgraduate level, King’s College London remains competitive, with an average acceptance rate of around 40%. Just like at undergraduate level, the chances of admission differ significantly depending on the programme. Before applying, students should check whether the course is a taught Master’s or a research degree, which can be done through the university’s course catalogue.

The following courses have the highest number of applicants:

Taught courses

• Law
• International Marketing
• Digital Marketing
• Digital economy
• Banking and finance
• International Management
• Data Science
• Periodontology

Research courses

• Developmental neurology
• Age-related disease
• Applied mathematics
• Psychology

These courses admit only a small percentage of candidates. Moreover, research candidates are typically required to submit a strong academic background, a well-prepared research proposal and references from academic supervisors.

How to get into King’s College London?

Undergraduate Admissions (UCAS)

If you’re applying for an undergraduate degree at King’s College London, you’ll need to submit your application through UCAS. Most courses follow the standard January deadline, but competitive programmes such as Medicine and Dentistry require applications to be submitted by 15 October.

Once your application is submitted, you can expect to receive a decision within 8–12 weeks. Some applicants, particularly those applying for Medicine, Dentistry or Law, may be invited to an interview. You can track the progress of your application using UCAS Track or the King’s Apply portal.

Postgraduate Admissions

Postgraduate candidates apply directly through the King’s Apply Portal. While many courses close applications around March, programmes may stay open longer if places are still available. Research degrees often work on a separate timeline and may have multiple application rounds. Responses to completed applications typically take around ten weeks.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements depend on the programme, but most applicants must provide academic transcripts (translated if necessary), strong grades — generally equivalent to a GPA of 3.3 or higher — and proof of English language proficiency, such as IELTS (7.0+) or TOEFL iBT (100+). A Personal Statement and academic reference are also required.

For certain programmes, additional exams apply. Law applicants must take the LNAT, while Medicine and Dentistry candidates usually sit the UCAT. International students can also strengthen their application with SAT or ACT results, even though they are not mandatory.

Postgraduate applicants typically need at least a 2:2 or 2:1 honours degree, depending on the programme. Business-related master’s programmes may ask for a GMAT or GRE score, while PhD applicants must submit a research proposal and demonstrate academic readiness for independent study.

Accommodation at King’s College London

King’s College London offers university-managed housing across 14 halls of residence. First-year undergraduate students who firmly accept their offer are guaranteed accommodation. Rent usually covers Wi-Fi, utilities, insurance and shared facilities, and costs range from around £190 to £400 per week.

Students from lower-income households can apply for the KAAS Scheme, which offers reduced-rent rooms to those with a household income below £42,875 per year. King’s students also have the option to live in intercollegiate halls shared with other University of London institutions. More details are available on the university’s accommodation website.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

For international students, undergraduate tuition fees typically range from £24,000 to £40,000 per year. Postgraduate programmes cost between £19,000 and £24,000. King’s offers a variety of financial support options, including merit-based scholarships and hardship funds. External scholarships such as Chevening and Commonwealth Awards are also available for eligible students.

Study at King’s College London with Elab

King’s College London is one of the most respected universities in the world, recognised for its academic standards, research excellence and global impact. Its graduates include Nobel laureates, world leaders, renowned scientists and influential writers. Studying at KCL is not only an education but an investment in your future, offering access to world-class teaching, professional opportunities and a vibrant London student life.

If you’re considering applying to King’s College London and want to maximise your chances of admission, get in touch – we’ll help you prepare your application, refine your Personal Statement and guide you through every step of the process.