Kings College London logo

Kings College London

London, UK · Ranking #8

King’s College London (KCL) is a major public research university founded in 1829 in central London and one of the two founding colleges of the University of London. It operates across five main campuses (Strand, Guy’s, Waterloo, St Thomas’ and Denmark Hill) and is organised into nine faculties covering arts and humanities, business, law, natural and mathematical sciences, life sciences and medicine, nursing and midwifery, dentistry, psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and social science and public policy. King’s is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities and the UK’s leading institutions, with particular strengths in health and life sciences, law, international relations, social sciences and the humanities. With around 30,000+ students and a very international community, it offers a research‑rich education in the heart of London.

Kings College London logo

Kings College London

About the university

King’s College London (KCL) is a major public research university founded in 1829 in central London and one of the two founding colleges of the University of London. It operates across five main campuses (Strand, Guy’s, Waterloo, St Thomas’ and Denmark Hill) and is organised into nine faculties covering arts and humanities, business, law, natural and mathematical sciences, life sciences and medicine, nursing and midwifery, dentistry, psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and social science and public policy. King’s is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities and the UK’s leading institutions, with particular strengths in health and life sciences, law, international relations, social sciences and the humanities. With around 30,000+ students and a very international community, it offers a research‑rich education in the heart of London.

Key information

  • Location: London, UK
  • Ranking #8
  • QS #40
  • THE #35
  • US News #100
  • National ranking #-13
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • Faculty of Arts & Humanities
  • King’s Business School
  • Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
  • The Dickson Poon School of Law
  • Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine
  • Faculty of Natural Mathematical & Engineering Sciences
  • Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery & Palliative Care
  • Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience
  • Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

Programs (38)

  • Law
  • Nursing
  • Philosophy
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Biology
  • Medicine
  • Pharmacy
  • Dentistry
  • Veterinary Science
  • Psychology
  • Computer Science
  • Civil Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Telecommunications
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Public Health
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Science
  • Engineering
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Linguistics
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Music

Student body

  • Total students: 36,000
  • Undergraduate: 19,000
  • Graduate: 17,000
  • International students: 45%

Campus life

King’s students are spread across central London campuses along the Thames and at major teaching hospitals. Campus life is urban and fast‑paced, with access to world‑class cultural institutions, internships and part‑time work. KCLSU runs hundreds of societies, sports clubs and events, while student housing includes King’s halls, intercollegiate halls and private accommodation across the city. Living costs are relatively high, but students benefit from London’s global networks and opportunities. International student services support visas, arrival, housing search and academic skills.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: £1,100 - £2,200 / per month

Housing options

  • King’s‑owned and nominated halls across London (single and en‑suite rooms
  • studios)
  • Intercollegiate University of London halls
  • Private student residences
  • Shared rented flats and houses across central and greater London

Student clubs and organizations

  • King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) societies
  • Academic and career societies
  • Cultural and national societies
  • Arts and media groups
  • Volunteering and campaigning organisations

Sports

  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Rowing
  • Hockey
  • Netball
  • Basketball
  • Tennis
  • Badminton
  • Many BUCS and London‑based sports clubs through KCLSU and local facilities

Career & internships

Employment rate: 92%

Partner companies

  • NHS
  • Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital
  • Google
  • Deloitte

Internships: Many King’s programmes offer or facilitate internships, clinical placements or study‑abroad opportunities, especially in health, law, business, international relations and creative industries. The university’s central London location and extensive employer links provide access to UK and global organisations. Careers & Employability offers guidance, skills workshops, fairs and employer events. International students can undertake internships within visa rules, gaining experience in London’s finance, legal, tech, creative and public sectors.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

Required documents

  • UCAS or online application
  • Academic transcripts and certificates
  • Personal statement
  • Academic reference
  • Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
  • Passport copy
  • Additional requirements for some programmes (e.g. admissions tests
  • interviews
  • portfolio or audition)

Minimum GPA: 3.5

Tuition costs

  • £35,000 - £60,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 13.00%
  • Scholarships available: King’s offers a range of scholarships for international students, including merit‑based tuition fee reductions at undergraduate and postgraduate level, faculty‑specific awards (for example in health, law or business) and country‑specific schemes. Typical awards are partial fee waivers of several thousand pounds; some larger scholarships exist for outstanding academic profiles or for widening participation. Funding is competitive and usually requires holding an offer, being classified as an overseas fee payer and submitting a strong personal statement or additional application. Full details and deadlines are updated annually on King’s scholarships and funding webpages.

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1829
  • Teaching languages: English, english
  • Study formats: offline

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