Getting into King’s College London is an extremely challenging feat, with admission rates as low as 16.9%. The application process is intense, requiring outstanding academics, test scores, good personal statement and reference letters that help you stand out from thousands of talented applicants vying for limited places.
The daunting prospect of gaining admission into such an esteemed institution often leaves students overwhelmed about where to begin. How to get into King’s College London and prepare an application compelling enough for high academic standards? What experiences and achievements will catch the admission team’s eye during intense competition?
The unclear path ahead causes much anxiety.
This guide serves as the ultimate handbook providing a step-by-step roadmap to strategically approach your application to King’s College London. It outlines the core pillars for developing an outstanding profile – from the academic foundation, co-curricular activities, and standardised tests to crafting personal statements and references.
With tips engineered exclusively to help students succeed in the admissions process at KCL, this guide unravels the mystery behind what it takes to get into King’s College London.
Follow the expert strategies revealed here to submit a winning application.
How Hard Is It To Get Into Kings College London?
Getting into KCL is very hard, with 2 out od 11 applicants getting accepted. This means the KCL acceptance rate is low and admission competitive. So, how to get into Kings College? I’m not here to discourage you, this guide can make your first step to a successful UCAS application.
For example, in medicine courses, you will need to score at least 2831 in the UCAT exam to have a chance to get an offer from Kings College London.
For law-related programmes, a 21-23 LNAT score is a must if you want to get in.
According to the official admission data, on average 11 applicants compete for a place at King’s College London.
Is King’s College London Prestigious?
King’s College London, founded in 1829, is one of the top universities not just in London or the UK, but worldwide. As one of the most prestigious colleges under the University of London, competition to get admitted into King’s is understandably fierce.
Also, KCL it’s a part of Russell Group Universities, an elite group of higher education institutions in the UK.
Read our detailed guide: 12 Reasons Why King’s College London Is a Good Choice
How to get into King’s College London?
If you are applying to a university in the UK, and plan to study at KCL you will need some guides to make a successful application. By learning how to get into King’s College London you can increase chances for admission and prepare ahead of other applicants.
Learn from our tips to get started with preparation.
Meeting the King’s College London Entry Requirements
The first step is ensuring you meet the basic undergraduate entry requirements set by King’s to be considered for admission. The major requirements include:
- Academic qualifications: You must have completed secondary school and earned specific grades and scores in major global qualifications like A-levels, IB diplomas, etc. The exact scores vary across departments and programmes.
- English language competence: If English is not your first language (mostly for international students), you need to submit English proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL, etc.) that meet King’s minimum cut-off. KCL’s entry requirements range between an IELTS score of 6.0 to 7.5 as per the programme.
Here are the entry requirements (A-Levels) for the most popular courses and undergraduate degrees at Kings College London:
| Course / Degree | Entry requirement |
|---|---|
| Medicine | A*AA |
| Business Management | A*AA |
| Law | A*AA |
| Dentistry | A*AA |
| Accounting and Finance | A*AA |
| Computer Science | A*A*A |
| Philosophy, Politics and Economics | A*AA |
Read more about UCAS tariffs.
Please make sure to convert A-Level in GSCE, IB or another relevant grade system.
Prepare a Strong Academic Profile
Once you meet the entry criteria, the next step is to build an outstanding academic track record in high school. Here are some tips to shape an impressive academic portfolio:
Take the most rigorous curriculum available at your school, including honours, Advanced Placement (AP), A-level, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses or equivalent.
Excel in math, science and humanities with consistently high scores/grades throughout high school. Aim for As and A*s.
Get recognized for academic excellence through honour roll, scholarships, awards, etc.
Take courses that align with your prospective major at King’s to demonstrate subject proficiency.
Excel in Extracurriculars
While academics are vital, well-rounded extracurricular involvement can give your application an edge. Ways to stand out include:
- Demonstrating leadership skills through major roles like student government, club president, team captain, etc.
- Showcasing consistent commitment and excellence in a few activities like varsity sports, music, and journalism rather than brief involvement in too many clubs.
- Gaining relevant experiences via internships, and research projects related to your prospective major.
- Making a meaningful impact on causes you care about through substantial volunteering and community initiatives.
Based on an analysis of admitted students’ profiles, those who held leadership positions and pursued their academic interests through relevant extracurriculars had higher acceptance rates. So choose quality over quantity while engaging in activities outside of academics.
Take Exames
Most undergraduate programmes at King’s College London require taking and submitting test scores from standardised exams like SAT, ACT, IB, UCAT and LNAT. The exact test requirements vary across subjects:
- For sciences/engineering SAT could be required for international students: Strong scores in SAT Subject Tests in Math Level 1/2, Physics, and Chemistry are recommended.
- For medical courses: High scores in the UCAT exam are a must to have chances to get into King’s
- Law courses: Same with law courses, high scores in LNAT can make your life and admissions easier
- For IB diploma holders (for international students): Submitting predicted and final IB scores is mandatory.
Aim to score among the top 10-25% score range in your required exams to remain competitive for King’s College. Besides showing academic rigour, high test scores also improve your eligibility for merit-based scholarships.
Write a Compelling Personal Statement
Personal statement is just one more thing to pay attention to for your application. A thoughtfully written personal statement allows you to stand out as an applicant by bringing your grades and achievements to life. It’s the way to introduce yourself to admission tutors.
Follow these tips to make yours shine:
- Highlight your relevant background – experiences, academics, skills – that align with your chosen program at King’s.
- Convey your motivation behind applying to King’s through anecdotes instead of vague statements.
- Explain gaps in your profile if any, like low grades in a particular semester.
- Show rather than tell who you are beyond grades via stories and examples.
- Maintain an honest, personal voice and stay within the word limit.
A good personal statement must essentially capture your personality, passions and purpose behind applying to King’s College London.
Recommended for reading:
- Personal Statement Examples UK
- How to Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out
- How To Write Masters Personal Statement
- How To Write A Personal Statement For Psychology
- Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for the University
- UCAS Personal Statement
Secure Strong Reference Letter
Reference letters from teachers or mentors who know you well carry significant weightage during application review. Here are some ways and tips to obtain insightful recommendations:
- Identify teachers who appreciate your academic abilities and can vouch for them. Sciences/math teachers are great for science programmes while humanities teachers are ideal if you are applying for related majors.
- Share your resume, transcript and any information about your target major/career goals to help teachers personalise their recommendation for King’s.
- Request letters from internship/research supervisors if applying to similar courses at King’s. This holds more relevance.
- Give at least two weeks’ notice while requesting letters and share stamped/addressed envelopes for mailing convenience.
Well-written, sincere references that offer in-depth insights into your character and academic/professional promise can tremendously strengthen your application.
Keep in mind you will need two references for the UCAS application.
Submit an Accurate Application Before the Deadlines
This comprehensive application checklist will help you ensure accuracy:
✔️ Fill in all details correctly in the application form available online via the UCAS portal. Here is a PDF formula from UCAS to practice.
✔️ Double check if you have provided accurate information on extracurricular activities and work experiences.
✔️ Ensure any response essays like personal statements, and program-specific supplements (motivation letter, research statement, etc.) are tailored to King’s and free from errors. Proofread multiple times. If you need help, ask older students, or online tutors or simply ask us via email (we will try to get back to you ASAP with free help).
✔️ Correctly upload necessary academic documents like transcripts, score reports and English language proficiency reports if applicable.
✔️ Attach reference information before the UK application deadline. Make sure your referee is informed on time and knows deadlines.
Submitting an error-free and complete application by the stated deadline is imperative.
King’s offers three application rounds – October 15 deadline (for Medical and Dentistry courses), end of January (for all other courses) and July (for Clearing). Apply per your schedule but early applications get priority consideration for admissions and scholarships.
So if your profile matches King’s College London academic criteria and these application tips resonate with you, you stand a strong chance of getting into KCL at this globally top-ranked university located right in the heart of London.
Recommended for you:
Does King’s College London give contextual offers?
The university offers contextual offers that can be up to two A-Level grades lower than advertised requirements, taking into account various factors.
Eligibility is determined by participation in widening participation programs, residence in specific postcodes, or experiencing certain circumstances. Additional consideration is also given to those who have encountered barriers to academic progress.
Exceptions apply, so check programme-specific requirements. Overall, King’s commitment to inclusivity ensures opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
How to get into King’s College London with a scholarship?
King’s College London offers an excellent scholarship opportunity for international students enrolled in their International Foundation programmes. So to get into King’s College London with a scholarship you need to apply to “The King’s Scholars of Tomorrow” or any other relevant funding programmes.
This scholarship provides awards of £2,000 to up to ten incoming foundation students starting in Autumn 2023. This scholarship aims to support talented students who demonstrate academic excellence and potential in their chosen field of study.
To apply for the King’s Scholars of Tomorrow scholarship, you must first hold an offer to study on one of King’s International Foundation programmes beginning in August or September 2024.
Eligible applicants then submit a creative 1-minute video making the case for why their future begins at King’s College London.
A committee reviews the submissions and awards the scholarships to the most compelling candidates. Competition is sure to be fierce for these generous awards, so creativity and passion are key to standing out.
In addition to the financial award, recipients have the opportunity to represent King’s Foundation programmes as ambassadors.
The King’s Scholars of Tomorrow scholarship presents an exciting opportunity for ambitious international students seeking support in pursuing a top-class UK education at King’s College London.
The application process allows you to showcase your talents and make a case for how King’s will launch your future success. Here you can find more.
Final Thoughts
While getting into King’s College London requires consistent academic excellence, strong exam scores and a stellar application, taking the right steps goes a long way.
If King’s is your dream university, maintain excellent grades in a rigorous high school curriculum, pursue meaningful extracurriculars showcasing your talents, secure outstanding references from teachers, craft an authentic personal statement and pay attention to accuracy and deadlines throughout the application process.
This comprehensive approach requires early planning and effort to help optimise your chances of earning admission into one of the most prestigious colleges under the University of London.
So, just learning how to get into King’s College London is not enough. You need to believe in your potential and follow these tips that have successfully guided many ambitious, talented students from across 80+ countries into King’s amazing learning environment year after year.