King's College London: The Complete Guide 2026

You stand on Waterloo Bridge on an October morning, gazing at a panorama that’s hard to tear your eyes from. To the south, the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. To the north: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. And directly in front of you, on the banks of the Thames, rises the elegant facade of Strand Campus, the main home of King’s College London. This view isn’t a postcard. It’s the daily commute to lectures for over 35,000 students at one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK.

King’s College London was founded in 1829 by King George IV and Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington. It is the fourth oldest university in England, predated only by Oxford, Cambridge, and University College London. For nearly two centuries, the university has educated scientists who changed the world: it was here that Maurice Wilkins co-discovered the structure of DNA (Nobel 1962), Peter Higgs developed the theory of the Higgs boson (Nobel 2013), and Florence Nightingale – the spiritual patron of the nursing faculty – revolutionized patient care. Among its alumni, you’ll also find Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace Prize 1984) and the poet John Keats, who studied medicine at one of the hospitals that today form KCL’s clinical core.

For international students, KCL is a university that combines several qualities difficult to find in one place: world-class medicine and law, a globally unique War Studies department, five campuses spread across the most beautiful parts of central London, and membership in both the Russell Group (24 leading UK research universities) and the prestigious Golden Triangle – a consortium of the top universities in London, Oxford, and Cambridge. In this guide, you’ll find comprehensive information on admissions, requirements, costs, scholarships, and student life at KCL: everything you need to successfully apply for the 2026/2027 academic year. Considering other London universities? Check out our guides to UCL, Imperial College London, and LSE.

King’s College London Key Statistics

Rankings and Reputation – KCL’s Global Standing

King’s College London consistently ranks among the best universities in the world, holding a position around 35th–40th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025/2026. In the Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 ranking, KCL regularly enters the top 35, and in the UK’s Complete University Guide 2026, it ranks within the top 25 in the UK. This is a solid result, placing KCL among the five highest-rated London universities, alongside Imperial, UCL, LSE, and Queen Mary.

However, King’s true strength is revealed in its subject rankings. In Nursing, KCL ranks 2nd globally in QS by Subject, a testament to its legendary Florence Nightingale Faculty. Medicine and Dentistry consistently place in the top 15 globally, making the GKT School of Medical Education one of Europe’s best medical faculties. Law (Dickson Poon School of Law) is rated in the top 15 worldwide, and Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, thanks to the power of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), are in the top 15 globally. The War Studies department has no equivalent in rankings because it is the only full department of its kind in the UK and one of only a few worldwide.

KCL’s reputation rests on three pillars. Firstly, the university has an unrivalled position in clinical medicine, with three university hospitals (Guy’s, St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital) forming one of the largest clinical complexes in Europe. Secondly, KCL’s humanities and social sciences profile is significantly stronger than at Imperial, making the university more versatile and attractive to students interested in law, history, or international relations. Thirdly, its location: five campuses in the absolute centre of London, with views of the Thames, the Houses of Parliament, and The Shard, give students daily contact with institutions that shape UK politics, law, and culture.

Admissions to King’s College London – The UCAS System

Admissions Step-by-Step

All applications for undergraduate studies at King’s College London go through the central UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) system. Regardless of whether you are taking the Polish Matura (national secondary school leaving examination), A-levels, or IB, the path is the same. You create an account on ucas.com, choose a maximum of 5 study programs (these can be at different universities or several at KCL), write a Personal Statement (maximum 4000 characters or 47 lines), and attach a reference from a teacher or school counsellor. The application fee is £28 for all five choices.

The Personal Statement is an absolutely crucial element of your application: do not confuse it with a motivational essay in the Polish style. The UCAS Personal Statement should demonstrate your subject interest (super-curricular activities), understanding of the course, and evidence of intellectual curiosity. KCL looks for candidates who read beyond the curriculum, participate in Olympiads, competitions, or research projects, and can clearly explain why a particular course is for them. If you are applying for Law, show that you have read court judgments or follow legal debates. For Medicine, describe your clinical experience (work experience) and reflection on medical ethics.

Most offers you receive from King’s are conditional offers – the university reserves your place on the condition that you achieve specific results in your Matura or other final examination. An example conditional offer for an international student applying for Computer Science might look like this: “Conditional on achieving an overall score of 85% in the Polish Matura, including 90% in Mathematics (extended level) and 85% in Physics or Informatics (extended level).” Only after the Matura results are announced in August does your offer become unconditional. If your result is slightly lower than the required threshold but close, KCL may still accept you, especially if there are available places. In such cases, it is worth contacting the university’s admissions office directly.

For Medicine and Dentistry applicants, the process is more demanding. In addition to the standard UCAS application, you must take the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test), an exam testing cognitive abilities, logical reasoning, and ethical decision-making. UCAT registration opens in June, and the test is taken between July and September, before the UCAS deadline of October 15. The average score for those admitted to KCL is approximately 2800/3600. After the initial selection (UCAS + UCAT), selected candidates are invited for an interview in MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews) format – a series of short stations where you answer ethical, communication, and scenario-based questions. Read more about converting national secondary school leaving examination results in the context of applying to international universities.

Academic Requirements – What You Need to Achieve

King’s College London accepts applicants from various educational systems: the Polish Matura (national secondary school leaving examination) is officially recognized and does not require any additional conversion. The university assesses your results directly, comparing them with percentage thresholds for a given program. Crucially, KCL looks at both your overall Matura result and your results from 3–4 extended-level subjects relevant to your chosen course. The combination of these two elements is most important – a high overall score alone will not suffice if the extended-level subjects do not meet the program’s requirements.

For candidates from international schools offering A-levels, thresholds range from BBB (Nursing) to A*AA (Medicine, Law, Computer Science). For the International Baccalaureate (IB), KCL requires 32 to 38 points depending on the program, with specific grades at Higher Level. The university also accepts SAT and AP scores – as we explain in our guide to studying in the UK with SAT, King’s accepts SAT (1350–1500 depending on the course) in combination with 3–5 AP exams with scores of 4–5 in subjects related to the course. SAT alone is not enough; AP exams are the main point of reference. If you are preparing for the SAT, the okiro.io platform can help you achieve a competitive score for UK universities.

Language Requirements

Every applicant for whom English is not their native language must prove their proficiency. KCL uses two language bands – assignment to a band depends on the chosen course of study.

Band A (most STEM, Business, Nursing programs): IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in each section) or TOEFL iBT 92 (minimum 20 in each section). This applies to courses such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Business Management, and Nursing.

Band B (Law, Humanities, Medicine, War Studies, Psychology): IELTS 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in each section) or TOEFL iBT 100 (minimum 23 in each section). The higher threshold is due to the intensity of text-based work – in Law or War Studies, you read and write significantly more than in technical fields.

The language exam is an element you can prepare for well in advance: ideally, a year before your planned application. The prepclass.io platform specializes in effective preparation for IELTS and TOEFL, helping you achieve the required threshold. It’s also worth reading our TOEFL vs IELTS guide to choose the exam best suited to your needs.

Courses of Study – What to Study at KCL?

King’s offers over 200 undergraduate degree programs across nine faculties. Below, we discuss the courses that distinguish KCL from other London universities and attract the most interest from international applicants.

Medicine and Dentistry – World-Class Medical and Dental Education

The GKT School of Medical Education (Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’) is one of Europe’s largest and most respected medical faculties. The MBBS program lasts 5 years and is distinguished by exceptionally early clinical contact: students enter hospital wards from their first year, which at many other universities only happens in the third year. Three university hospitals, Guy’s Hospital (one of the oldest in England, founded in 1721), St Thomas’ Hospital (opposite Parliament, with views of Big Ben), and King’s College Hospital (London’s largest trauma hospital), form a clinical base unrivalled in the UK.

It was in KCL’s laboratories that Maurice Wilkins conducted research that led to the discovery of the DNA structure. Today, the faculty is a leader in research on neurology, oncology, transplantology, and psychiatry. KCL medical graduates have some of the highest employment rates in the UK: 99% work in the profession within 6 months of graduation. For international students, medicine at KCL offers an alternative to Oxbridge with slightly less pre-selection pressure, but identical access to world-class clinical hospitals.

Law – Law in the Heart of the Legal District

The Dickson Poon School of Law occupies a building on the Strand Campus, literally a few hundred metres from the Royal Courts of Justice, Inner Temple, and Middle Temple – historical institutions of the English legal system. This location has real practical significance: students participate in court observations, have easy access to pro bono clinics, and can build a network of contacts in an environment that would be inaccessible at the undergraduate level in many other countries.

KCL offers three main undergraduate law programs. LLB Law (3 years) is the classic path for future lawyers. LLB Law with a Year Abroad (4 years) allows students to spend their third year at a partner university, for example, in Hong Kong, Singapore, or Australia. The third option, LLB English Law and French/German/Spanish Law (4 years), leads to a dual degree and is particularly valued by internationally operating law firms. KCL law graduates are regularly employed by Magic Circle firms (Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Freshfields, Allen & Overy, Slaughter and May) and leading American law firms with offices in London.

War Studies – A Globally Unique Course

The Department of War Studies is King’s College London’s most recognizable “trademark”: the only full department of its kind in the UK and one of only a few worldwide. It analyzes armed conflicts, international security, terrorism, military strategy, and cybersecurity from historical, political, and ethical perspectives. This is not a dry theoretical course – lecturers are often former diplomats, intelligence officers, NATO analysts, and government advisors.

For international students interested in security within the context of the geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe – the war in Ukraine, NATO expansion, the growing importance of cybersecurity – War Studies at KCL is a course of exceptional value. Graduates work in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), NATO, the UN, think tanks (Royal United Services Institute, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Chatham House), and in the media as security analysts. The university offers three variants: BA War Studies (3 years), BA War Studies and History (3 years), and BA War Studies and Philosophy (3 years).

Nursing – The Legacy of Florence Nightingale

The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care is a faculty whose very name tells a story. The founder of modern nursing was directly associated with KCL: her nursing school was established at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1860. Today, the faculty ranks 2nd globally in QS by Subject and educates nurses, midwives, and palliative care specialists to the highest standards. The program combines theoretical learning with intensive clinical practice in NHS hospitals – graduates are immediately ready for professional work. For international students, this is one of the few pathways to a medical career in the UK that doesn’t require national secondary school leaving examination results at the 95% level.

Computer Science, Business, and Humanities

While KCL is best known for Medicine, Law, and War Studies, the university also offers excellent programs in other fields. The Department of Informatics conducts research in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and robotics: the Strand campus is only a few tube stops from Tech City (Silicon Roundabout) in East London. King’s Business School, though younger than the business schools at LSE or Imperial, is building a strong position thanks to its proximity to the City of London and partnerships with firms in the financial and technology sectors.

In the humanities, KCL stands out with programs in history, philosophy, theology, and classical studies. The Faculty of Theology is one of the oldest and strongest in the UK: the university was, after all, founded with strong support from the Church of England. KCL’s English Department is linked to a rich literary tradition (John Keats, Virginia Woolf) and ranks in the UK’s top 20. You can find a comparison with other humanities universities in the UK in our guide to University of Oxford.

Costs of Study and Living in London

Since Brexit (2021), international students (including those from the EU) are treated as international students, which means significantly higher tuition fees than for UK citizens. London is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, and the central location of KCL’s campuses means that accommodation costs near the university are among the highest in the country. When planning your budget, you must consider not only tuition fees but also housing, food, transport, and daily expenses.

Tuition fees at King’s College London for international students depend on the chosen course. Programs in humanities, social sciences, and business cost £24,000–£28,000 annually. STEM courses (Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering) cost around £28,000–£32,000 annually. Medicine and Dentistry, the most expensive programs, are approximately £51,000 annually for the entire 5-year course. In comparison, UK students pay just £9,535 annually, a regulated rate set by the government.

King’s officially estimates minimum annual living costs for a student at £14,400–£18,000 (for 9 months of the academic year). Accommodation consumes the largest part of the budget: halls of residence cost from £180/week for a shared room in a more distant location (Zone 2–3) to £420/week for a studio in Zone 1. After the first year, most students move to private accommodation in areas such as Elephant and Castle, Camberwell, Lewisham, or New Cross, where a room in a shared flat costs £600–£1,000 per month. Food is another significant expense: cooking at home (supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi, Tesco) allows you to keep your food budget at £40–50 per week, but London restaurants can easily consume that amount in a single outing. Transport with an 18+ Student Oyster Card gives a 30% discount on monthly passes – for students travelling from Zone 2 to the city centre, this costs around £100 per month.

In summary, the costs for a three-year degree at KCL (excluding medicine) are: tuition fees of £72,000–£96,000, with living costs adding another £43,200–£54,000. The total investment for three years therefore amounts to £115,000–£150,000. Medicine is significantly more expensive: a five-year program costs over £320,000 including living expenses. If you’re looking for more affordable alternatives in Europe, read our guide to studying in the UK, which also compares options in the Netherlands, Germany, or Italy.

Scholarships at King’s College London

The costs of studying at KCL are high, but the university offers several funding pathways for exceptional candidates. However, it’s important to be realistic – most international students at KCL do not receive a scholarship and fund their studies through their own means or loans.

The main scholarship program is King’s Undergraduate Scholarships, which covers £5,000–£15,000 annually for the entire duration of studies. The scholarship is awarded based on outstanding academic results, demonstrated financial need, and leadership potential: you do not need to submit a separate application, as all candidates are automatically considered after submitting their UCAS application. King’s contacts selected individuals in February–March.

Particularly prestigious is the Desmond Tutu Scholarship, named after the famous KCL alumnus and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The scholarship is aimed at outstanding students from developing countries and Eastern Europe: it partially covers tuition fees and living costs. Individual departments (especially Law, Medicine, and Engineering) may also offer their own, smaller scholarships or grants – information about these usually appears on KCL departmental websites in December–January.

International students can also apply for external scholarships. Various national foundations and government programs may offer grants for studying in the UK. It’s worth researching options available in your home country or through international scholarship databases. However, realistically, if a scholarship is a key factor in your decision, consider universities with lower tuition fees in the Netherlands or Germany, where public education is often cheaper or free.

King’s College London vs UCL vs Imperial – A Comparison

London is home to several world-class universities, and each has a distinctly different profile. The choice between KCL, UCL, and Imperial primarily depends on the course that interests you and the atmosphere in which you wish to study.

King’s College London is the best choice if you are interested in law, medicine, War Studies, nursing, or humanities. The university has the most beautiful campus location of the three: Strand on the Thames, with views of the Houses of Parliament – and offers lower tuition fees than Imperial. KCL combines a strong humanities tradition with leading clinical medicine, making it the most versatile university of the three.

UCL has a higher global ranking (top 10 QS) and the broadest range of courses: from architecture (top 3 globally) to education (No. 1 globally). Its Bloomsbury campus, right next to the British Museum, attracts the highest percentage of international students. UCL is culturally more “progressive,” historically the first secular university in England, and has a more relaxed atmosphere than traditional KCL.

Imperial College London is an absolute leader in STEM and engineering (top 5–6 globally), but does not offer law, humanities, or social sciences. If you want to study computer science, engineering, or natural sciences at the highest level, Imperial is your destination. However, tuition fees are the highest (£37,000–£41,000), and the atmosphere is often described as intense and demanding.

For international students interested in economics and finance, a better choice might be LSE (London School of Economics) – a university that dominates in social sciences and economics on a global scale.

Student Life – Five Campuses on the Thames

One of the most unique features of King’s College London is its division into five campuses spread across central London. This is not a traditional enclosed American-style campus: you study literally within the city, among historical landmarks, hospitals, courts, and museums. Your daily commute to lectures takes you through some of the most famous places in Europe.

Strand Campus is the heart of the university and its most famous element. The main building with its neo-Gothic chapel stands on the Thames, between Somerset House and Waterloo Bridge. This is where classes in law, humanities, social sciences, and business take place. Bush House, the former home of BBC World Service, acquired by KCL in 2016, has become a modern teaching centre with co-working spaces, recording studios, and lecture halls equipped with the latest technology. You step out after lectures and have Covent Garden to the north, the West End to the west, and the British Museum a fifteen-minute walk away.

Guy’s Campus in the London Bridge area is the realm of medicine and dentistry. Guy’s Tower – the tallest hospital building in the UK – dominates the area, and medical students spend most of their clinical time here. The area, however, is not just a hospital: Borough Market (one of London’s oldest and best food markets), The Shard (the tallest building in Western Europe), and Tate Modern are literally around the corner.

Waterloo Campus on the South Bank houses the faculties of nursing and health sciences. The Franklin-Wilkins Building stands next to the London Eye, the National Theatre, and the Southbank Centre: one of Europe’s largest arts centres. Evenings after classes on the South Bank have a special charm: a walk along the Thames with views of the illuminated city skyline is something you cannot experience on any other campus in the UK.

St Thomas’ Campus lies opposite Big Ben, on the other side of the Thames. This is where the clinical years of medicine take place: St Thomas’ Hospital is one of London’s oldest hospitals, with a history dating back to the 12th century. Denmark Hill Campus in Camberwell, South London, is home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) and Maudsley Hospital, one of the world’s leading research centres for mental health. You travel between campuses by tube or bus; from Strand to Guy’s is about a 10-minute Jubilee Line ride.

King’s guarantees accommodation in halls of residence for first-year students, which is a huge convenience in a city where finding housing can be a nightmare. Popular halls include Great Dover Street Apartments (Borough), Stamford Street Apartments (Waterloo), and Brian Creamer House (New Cross). After the first year, most students move to private accommodation: areas like Elephant and Castle, Camberwell, Lewisham, and New Cross offer relatively affordable prices for London.

King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) manages over 400 clubs and student societies. Here you’ll find King’s Think Tank (political research), Law Society, Medics Society, War Studies Society, over 60 sports clubs, debating groups, and volunteer organizations. For many international students, national societies are particularly important. For example, the KCL Polish Society is an active community that arranges social events, movie nights, communal cooking, and networking meetings with Polish professionals in London. In a city with one of the world’s largest international diasporas, you’ll find various national communities, including shops, cultural centers, and restaurants, ensuring you never feel entirely cut off from home.

London itself is a gigantic campus: museums (many free, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern), West End theatres, galleries, royal parks, concerts, and an endless cultural diversity ensure you’ll never run out of things to do outside of lectures. As KCL students say: “Our campus is all of London.”

Career After King’s College London

Graduates of King’s College London have some of the best career prospects in the UK. 92% of graduates are employed or pursuing further study within 15 months of graduation: a result above the national average. The median salary after 15 months is £32,000, but Medicine and Law graduates achieve significantly higher earnings in the first years of their careers – the median after 5 years for these courses is over £55,000.

The largest employer of KCL graduates is the NHS (National Health Service) – which is not surprising, given the dominance of the medical faculty. Law graduates join top law firms in London, including Magic Circle firms, where the entry-level salary (newly qualified solicitor) ranges from £100,000–£150,000 annually. War Studies graduates work in government, diplomacy, international organizations, and media: many of them now hold key positions in NATO, the UN, and think tanks such as RUSI and Chatham House.

For international students, key information includes the Graduate visa: after completing your studies in the UK, you can apply for a two-year post-study work permit without restrictions. This means you have two years to gain professional experience in London before deciding whether you want to stay permanently (Skilled Worker visa), return to your home country, or seek employment elsewhere in the world. The student visa costs £490 + Immigration Health Surcharge £776/year, and you must demonstrate funds for tuition and living expenses for at least 28 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion – Is King’s College London for You?

King’s College London is a university for those who want to earn a prestigious degree in one of the most beautiful and dynamic cities in the world. If you are interested in medicine, law, international relations, War Studies, nursing, or humanities – KCL offers programs of absolutely world-class standard, often superior to what you’ll find at universities with higher global rankings. The location of its five campuses in the heart of London, two centuries of academic tradition, and access to one of Europe’s strongest job markets are advantages that are hard to find elsewhere.

At the same time, studying at KCL is a significant financial investment: the total cost for three years exceeds £115,000, and medicine costs over £320,000. Before making a decision, ensure you have a realistic funding plan, and also consider alternative universities in the UK and Europe. If your goal is STEM, check out Imperial College London. If economics and social sciences, LSE. If you’re looking for the broadest offering and highest ranking – UCL.

Next Steps:

1. Check the requirements for your chosen course on kcl.ac.uk – ensure your national secondary school leaving examination results meet the thresholds for your chosen program.
2. Take a language exam (IELTS or TOEFL) – ideally a year before your planned application. Prepare with prepclass.io to achieve the required Band A or Band B threshold.
3. Prepare for the SAT, if you plan this pathway – the okiro.io platform can help you achieve a competitive score for UK universities.
4. Start writing your Personal Statement – gather materials (books, articles, projects, experience) well in advance. This is the most important document in your application.
5. Apply through UCAS for 5 programs: King’s College London as your main goal + 4 other universities as backup (consider UCL, Edinburgh, Warwick, Bristol).
6. Compare your options – read our guides to UCL, Imperial, LSE, and Oxford to make an informed decision.

Good luck with your application – and see you on the Thames!