King's College London

What King’s College London Is

King’s College London (KCL) is a public research university in central London, founded in 1829 by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. It is ranked 37th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and is a member of the Russell Group of UK research universities.

King’s operates across five campuses, four of which are along the south bank of the Thames in central London — Strand, Waterloo, Guy’s, St Thomas’, and Denmark Hill. This central London location is one of King’s most distinctive features: unlike most UK universities, there is no enclosed campus. Students study in the heart of one of the world’s major cities, with direct access to Parliament, the City of London financial district, major hospitals, and international organisations.

King’s is historically strongest in health and medicine. Its medical school, King’s College London GKT School of Medical Education, is one of the oldest in England and trains doctors who work across three major NHS teaching hospitals (Guy’s Hospital, St Thomas’ Hospital, and King’s College Hospital). King’s is ranked in the global top 15 for medicine and dentistry by QS subject rankings.

Beyond medicine, King’s has significant strength in law (particularly international law and human rights), international relations (the Department of War Studies is unique in the UK), biomedical sciences, and psychology. The King’s Business School, established in 2017, is newer but growing.

For Indian students, King’s is relevant as a London-based option with genuine academic strength in specific fields — it is not a generalist university in the way that UCL or the University of Manchester are. Its particular strengths make it a strong choice for students with clear subject interests in medicine, law, or international affairs.

Who It’s For

King’s College London is a good fit for Indian students who:

• Want to study medicine in the UK — the MBBS at King’s provides clinical exposure from Year 1 in major London teaching hospitals. However, international MBBS places are extremely limited and competitive.
• Are interested in law, especially international or human rights law — King’s Dickson Poon School of Law is ranked in the global top 20 by QS and has strong connections to London’s legal profession. See also: LLB and LLM.
• Want to study international relations, conflict studies, or security — the Department of War Studies is unique in the UK and has particular strengths in defence policy, intelligence studies, and cyber security.
• Prefer a central London location — for students who want direct access to London’s professional networks, internship opportunities, and cultural life.
• Plan to use the UK Graduate Route visa — international graduates of UK degrees of 1 year or more can apply for the 2-year Graduate Route visa, allowing them to work in the UK without employer sponsorship.

Undergraduate admission requires A*AA to AAB at A-level depending on the programme, or equivalent international qualifications. Indian students with ISC/CBSE Class 12 can apply via UCAS; King’s publishes specific grade requirements for Indian qualifications. English proficiency: IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall depending on programme.

Programs Popular with Indian Students

• MBBS Medicine — 5 years. One of the most competitive programmes at King’s. International places are very limited. Clinical placements at Guy’s, St Thomas’, and King’s College Hospitals. International tuition: approximately £46,000 per year (2025).

• LLB Law — 3 years. Covers English law with options in international and EU law. Recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. International tuition: approximately £25,000 per year (2025). See also: LLB and BA LLB.

• BA International Relations — 3 years. Part of the Department of War Studies. Covers international security, diplomacy, and global governance. International tuition: approximately £25,000 per year (2025).

• BSc Biomedical Science — 3 years. Strong links to King’s biomedical research institutes and NHS hospitals. A common pathway for students who want research careers in health sciences.

• BSc Computer Science — 3 years. Covers algorithms, AI, software engineering, and cybersecurity. Growing programme with connections to London’s tech sector. International tuition: approximately £28,000 per year (2025).

• BSc Psychology — 3 years. Accredited by the British Psychological Society. King’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience is ranked 2nd globally by QS.

• LLM — 1 year. Specialisations in international commercial law, international financial law, and competition law. Strong for Indian law graduates seeking UK postgraduate credentials.

• MA International Relations — 1 year. Advanced study of international security, conflict, and diplomacy.

• MSc Data Science — 1 year. Interdisciplinary programme covering statistics, machine learning, and data engineering.

Campus and Location

King’s central London location is its defining practical feature. The Strand campus is next to the Royal Courts of Justice and a 15-minute walk from the City of London. Waterloo campus is adjacent to Waterloo station, London’s busiest rail hub. Guy’s campus is near London Bridge.

For Indian students, practical considerations:

• Accommodation: King’s guarantees accommodation for first-year international undergraduates. Halls of residence are spread across London, with rents ranging from approximately £180–£300 per week. Private accommodation in London is expensive — budget £200–£350 per week for a room in a shared house.
• Cost of living: London is significantly more expensive than other UK cities. Budget approximately £15,000–£18,000 per year for living costs (excluding tuition).
• Indian community: London has one of the largest Indian diaspora communities in the world. Areas like Southall, Wembley, and Tooting have extensive Indian shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions.
• Transport: All King’s campuses are within Zone 1 of the London Underground. A student Oyster card with a 30% railcard discount is available.

Costs and Financial Aid

International tuition fees at King’s range from approximately £23,000 to £46,000 per year depending on the programme (2025 rates). Arts and social science programmes are at the lower end; medicine and clinical programmes at the higher end.

Key scholarships:

• King’s International Scholarships — a range of awards for international students, including the King’s Desmond Tutu Scholarship (full fee waiver) and King’s Global Scholarship (partial fee waiver of £5,000–£9,000 per year).
• Chevening Scholarships — UK government-funded scholarships for postgraduate study, open to Indian nationals with leadership potential. Covers full tuition, living costs, and travel.
• Commonwealth Scholarships — for postgraduate study, funded by the UK government. Indian students apply through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in India.
• King’s Health Partners Scholarships — for clinical and health sciences postgraduate students.

The 2-year Graduate Route visa post-study allows graduates to work in the UK without needing employer sponsorship, which can offset the investment in tuition.

Things to Verify Before Applying

• UCAS deadline: Undergraduate applications are submitted through UCAS. The deadline for most programmes is 31 January, but medicine (MBBS) has an earlier deadline of 15 October (same as Oxford and Cambridge).
• English language requirements: Requirements vary by programme. Most arts programmes require IELTS 6.5 (min 6.0 per band); law requires IELTS 7.0 (min 6.5); medicine requires IELTS 7.0 (min 7.0 in writing, 6.5 in others).
• Medicine admissions tests: MBBS applicants must sit the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test). This is separate from UCAS and has its own registration deadline.
• Graduate Route visa: Currently allows 2 years of post-study work. UK visa policy changes frequently — verify current rules on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
• No campus in the traditional sense: King’s does not have a self-contained campus. If you prefer a traditional campus university experience, this is worth considering.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• LLB — undergraduate law programmes
• LLM — postgraduate law programmes
• BA International Relations — international relations degree pathways
• BSc Computer Science — computer science programmes
• MSc Data Science — data science postgraduate options
• University of Cambridge — top-ranked UK university for comparison

Sources Used

• King’s College London — Undergraduate Study
• King’s College London — Postgraduate Taught
• King’s College London — Fees and Funding
• QS World University Rankings — King’s College London