King’s College London, founded in 1829, has campuses along the River Thames in the heart of London, including the Strand and Waterloo. It’s a member of the Russell Group and is especially well known for law, health sciences, nursing, the humanities, international relations and war studies. Its location gives students easy access to government, law firms, hospitals and cultural institutions.
Most King’s courses for September 2027 have a UCAS deadline of 13 January 2027, so you still have time to apply. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on King’s College London’s own guidance. If you’re applying for a master’s or PhD instead, see the section near the end.
1. Pick the right course and campus
King’s has several campuses in central and south London, and your course decides where you’ll study most of the time. Read each course page carefully: it lists the required A levels, any admissions test and the base campus. For example, Economics BSc for 2027 entry is three years long, asks for A*AA, and is taught from the Strand Campus.
2. Meet the grade requirements
Check the entry requirements for your country’s qualification on the King’s website. King’s accepts international A levels, such as Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and Oxford International AQA, on a grade-for-grade basis. If you’re applying with US qualifications, note that King’s doesn’t consider SAT or ACT superscores and no longer considers SAT Subject Tests. King’s entry requirements.
3. Take the LNAT or UCAT if you need it
Most King’s courses don’t have an admissions test, but some do. Law applicants must sit the LNAT, which for 2027 entry you must take by 31 December 2026. Medicine and Dentistry need the UCAT. If you’re hoping to study medicine or dentistry, note that the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry was 15 October 2026, and you’d also have needed to sit the UCAT, so you’d now be planning for 2028 entry.
4. Write a strong personal statement
The UCAS personal statement asks three questions: why you want to study your chosen course, how your education has prepared you, and what other experiences have prepared you. You have 4,000 characters in total, and each answer must be at least 350 characters. King’s courses are often closely linked to real-world issues, so show how your interest in the subject connects with things happening in the world. Admissions tutors want evidence of real interest in the subject, so explain what you’ve done and what you learned from it.
5. Make the most of London in your application
King’s values students who’ll use its London location. Show that you’ve explored your subject outside the classroom: talks and public lectures, museum and gallery visits, volunteering, debating, Model United Nations, work experience or online courses. In your personal statement, explain how these experiences shaped your interest and what you’d like to explore further at King’s.
6. Get a strong reference
Your teacher’s reference helps King’s understand your achievements in context. It should give your predicted grades and describe your strengths in the subject you’re applying for. Ask early, especially if your school isn’t used to UCAS applications, and give your referee plenty of time before the January deadline.
7. Apply by 13 January 2027
Submit your UCAS application by 6pm UK time on 13 January 2027, the equal consideration deadline for most King’s courses starting in September 2027. You don’t get an advantage from applying early, but leave time for your school to add its reference before the deadline.
8. Meet the English language band for your course
King’s sets English requirements in bands. Band B, which applies to most arts and humanities, social science, business, law and psychology courses, is IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each skill. Band D, which applies to most natural sciences, mathematics and engineering courses, is IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each skill. Some courses, such as Electronic Engineering and Pharmacy, are in Band B. Practise with our free IELTS, TOEFL and PTE practice tests. King’s English language requirements.
9. Plan your budget
International students pay the overseas fee, which is much higher than the home fee of £10,050 for 2027 entry. Check the fees tab on your course page for the latest figure. King’s says tuition fees for continuing international undergraduates won’t rise by more than 7% a year. London living costs are also high, so plan carefully for rent. If your qualifications aren’t accepted for direct entry, the King’s International Foundation Programme is a one-year route; for 2027 entry, its first application deadline is 28 January 2027.
10. Get ready for your Student visa
Most students from outside the UK and Ireland need a Student visa. You can apply once you have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from King’s, which it issues after you’ve accepted your offer and met the conditions. You’ll need to show you have enough money for your fees and living costs. After you graduate, the Graduate Route usually lets you work in the UK, but it’s due to be shortened from two years to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027. Check GOV.UK for the current rules.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at King’s?
King’s offers a wide range of one-year master’s degrees and PhDs, including well-known programmes in law, war studies, public policy, health and the life sciences. Each programme sets its own requirements and deadlines. You apply directly to the university, not through UCAS. Most programmes ask for a good first degree (often a UK upper second-class degree or the equivalent), a personal statement, references and, for international applicants, an English test. See our 50 sample SOPs, free GRE and GMAT practice tests, and our guide to the best AI master’s degrees in the UK.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
King’s turns down many strong applicants every year, because there are more excellent students than places. Use your five UCAS choices wisely: apply to King’s if it’s right for you, and include universities where your chances are good. Read our guides to other Russell Group universities, including UCL, Imperial, Queen Mary and LSE. Our guide to studying in the UK explains how UK universities work, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from King’s College London’s official undergraduate course, entry requirement, English language, admissions policy and fees pages, and checked in October 2026. Entry requirements, deadlines, tests, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on King’s College London’s undergraduate website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with King’s College London.