“How can I get into King’s College London?” is one of the most common questions I’m asked and for good reason. As one of the UK’s leading Russell Group universities, KCL attracts around 70,000 undergraduate applications every year and has an overall acceptance rate of roughly 11–13%. With so many highly qualified applicants competing for a place, excellent grades alone are rarely enough to secure an offer.
Throughout my career as a university admissions consultant, I’ve helped hundreds of students secure places at top universities, including King’s College London. The reality is that most applicants already meet the academic requirements, so standing out requires much more than strong grades. In this guide, I’ll share the strategies that consistently help applicants strengthen their applications and maximise their chances of receiving an offer.
At The Profs, our wider network of Admissions Tutors support students throughout every stage of the application process, from building a competitive academic profile to preparing for interviews and writing outstanding personal statements tailored to their chosen course. In 2025, 99%* of the surveyed students we supported received an offer from their first or second-choice university, so if anyone has the know-how, it’s us.
*Based on respondents to The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025
How to get into KCL
- What are the King’s College London Entry Requirements?
- Does King’s College London Give Contextual Offers?
- Tip 1. Meet King’s College London’s UCAS Entry Requirements & Qualifications
- Tip 2. Develop a Portfolio of Supercurriculars
- Tip 3. Gain Relevant Work Experience for Your KCL Programme
- Tip 4. Ace King’s College London Admissions Tests
- Tip 5. Prepare for King’s College London Interviews
- Tip 6. Get 1-to-1 Guidance from an Expert Admissions Tutor
- FAQs about How to Get into King’s College London
What are the King’s College London Entry Requirements?
King’s College London’s entry requirements vary depending on the course you’re applying to study and the country you’re applying from. The table below shows the UK qualifications and some international qualifications accepted by KCL, and the entry requirements for each.
| Qualification | Entry requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | A*A*A*–BBB, depending on the course. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | 40 points overall (21 Higher Level points) to 32 points overall (15 Higher Level points), depending on the course. |
| Advanced Placement (USA) | Route 1: A combination of three APs (or approved equivalent qualifications) and an ACT/SAT, depending on the course. Route 2: Five APs, typically ranging from 55555 to 44444, depending on the course. Where a specific A-level subject is required, applicants must also achieve the equivalent AP grade. |
| Other international qualifications | King’s College London accepts a wide range of international qualifications. Course-specific requirements can be found on the relevant programme page or in the country-specific entry requirements. |
For more information on how to apply to King’s as an international student, check on the University’s own support page, or get in touch with The Profs for one-to-one support from one of our international admissions experts.
King’s also accepts and explicitly states alternative typical entry requirements for a multitude of alternative qualifications such as A Level, IB highers, Access to HE diploma, BTEC nationals, Cambridge Pre-U, and Scottish Highers. You can easily find these by searching the course pages.
Need help meeting King’s competitive entry requirements? Our award-winning A Level Tutors and IB Tutors have a proven track record of success, with 68%* of A-Level students achieving A* or A grades — that’s over 2× the national average! If you are seeking end-to-end application support, The Profs can personally match you with one of our Undergraduate Admissions Tutors.
*Respondents to The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025
Does King’s College London Give Contextual Offers?
King’s College London does take contextual information into account when making offers to its applicants. If you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for a contextual offer. Contextual offers can be up to two A level grades (or equivalent) lower than the standard entry requirements for any one course.
Many students won’t be eligible for KCL’s contextual offers, however it is always worth checking. Use KCL’s contextual admissions eligibility tool to find out if you are eligible.
6 Tips for Getting Into King’s College London
Read our 6 expert tips for maximising your chances of receiving an offer from King’s College London. Drawing on the experience of our admissions specialists and former admissions officers, we’ll explain what King’s looks for in successful applicants and how you can build a stronger application.
Thanks to our network of experienced Uni Applications Tutors, many of whom are Russell Group graduates and ex-admissions officers themselves, we have the latest insight into what King’s College London is looking for in top applicants.
1. Meet King’s College London’s UCAS Entry Requirements & Qualifications
Before focusing on your personal statement or interview preparation, make sure you understand the entry requirements for your chosen course. Competitive applicants not only achieve excellent grades but also ensure they have the correct qualifications and subject combinations.
Subjects and Grades
It sounds obvious, but your predicted grades are very important when applying to a top-tier university. With almost 70,000 applicants, admissions tutors need a quick, accessible way to compare students from all over the world, and predicted grades provide this benchmark.
You can check the entry requirements for your chosen course using King’s online course search. KCL accepts a wide range of qualifications, including A Levels, IB Higher Levels, Access to HE Diplomas, BTEC Nationals, Cambridge Pre-U and Scottish Highers. Many courses also require specific subjects. For example, Chemistry (BSc or MSci) requires an A grade in A-level Chemistry (or equivalent). Always check the course page carefully before submitting your application
Top tip: While predicted grades carry significant weight, don’t overlook your GCSEs. UK-based applicants are generally expected to achieve strong grades in English and Mathematics (typically grade 6 or above). If you’re missing these requirements, resitting may be worthwhile. The Profs’ Resit Tutors can help you strengthen your knowledge and achieve the grades you need.
2. Build a Portfolio of Supercurriculars Outside of School
Part of writing a great personal statement is not getting a top-down research idea from the internet or from ChatGPT; it’s building your interest in the subject through super-curricular activities. These are subject-specific activities that you’re doing outside of school.
As one of our top KCL Admissions Tutors advises:
“This is especially important if you come from a top grammar or private school where you’re doing lots inside school. That’s not enough for King’s. You need to be doing things outside of school as well. This includes public lectures, entering essay competitions, of course, doing readings around your subject, maybe a research assistantship or an internship, and so on.
Please make sure you dedicate time over the summer to building this super-curricular portfolio before you write your personal statement answers. It’s going to make your application so much more competitive.”
– Joe | Award-Winning Education Consultant | Oxford University
Remember – don’t simply list books or articles you’ve read in your UCAS personal statement. Explain what you learned, how your perspective changed and why those ideas strengthened your interest in the subject.
5. Prepare for King’s College London Interviews
Although interviews aren’t required for every course, they are an essential part of the admissions process for several competitive programmes, particularly Medicine.
KCL holds both undergraduate and postgraduate interviews. For the MBBS programme, every successful applicant must complete an interview. Undergraduate interviews for most other courses are less common but may be required if:
- You’re applying for particularly competitive courses, such as Law or Business Management.
- You have a non-traditional educational background.
- The university wants to assess skills that aren’t fully reflected in your UCAS application.
King’s uses several interview formats, including one-to-one interviews, panel interviews and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Applicants are normally given at least one week’s notice before their interview.
Top tip: Research your chosen course before your interview. Be prepared to explain why you want to study it, discuss recent developments in your subject and reflect on any work experience or wider reading you’ve completed.
The interview can make or break your application. To maximise your chances of success, our Interview Training Tutors provide realistic mock interviews, personalised feedback and expert coaching to help you engage thoughtfully with senior academics at King’s College London.
6. Next Steps: Get 1-to-1 Guidance from an Expert Admissions Tutor
At The Profs, our Admissions Consultants successfully help students secure places at King’s College London, Oxbridge, LSE and other leading universities. Whether you need help choosing the right course, strengthening your personal statement, preparing for admissions tests or practising interviews, our expert tutors provide personalised support at every stage of the application process.
Why students choose The Profs
- Proven admissions outcomes: 99% of our students received offers from their first or second-choice university, while 2 in 3 secured a place at a Top 10 UK university (based on respondents to our 2025 Client Feedback Survey).
- The UK’s highest-rated tutoring company: Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot since 2016 with thousands of verified reviews.
- Recognised for excellence: Named “Private Tutoring Provider of the Year” at the 2026 EducationInvestor Awards. The Profs was also awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in 2026, officially endorsed by His Majesty The King on recommendation of the Prime Minister.
- Industry-leading tutors: Only the top 3% of tutor applicants join our network. 98% are postgraduates, 41% hold PhDs and 70% have over 10 years of teaching experience.
FAQs about How to get into KCL for Applicants
How difficult is it to get into King’s College London?
King’s College London is one of the UK’s most competitive universities. For the 2025 entry cycle, KCL received 75,835 undergraduate applications and made offers to around 50.5% of applicants. However, only 8,375 students ultimately secured a place, meaning there were around nine applications for every accepted student. Competition varies considerably by subject, with programmes such as Medicine, Law and Business attracting significantly more applicants than places.
If you’re wondering how hard is it to get into King’s, the answer depends on your chosen course, but successful applicants must demonstrate academic excellence alongside strong motivation, critical thinking skills and a well-rounded profile supported by relevant academic and extracurricular evidence. Meeting the published entry grades alone is rarely enough.
When do King’s College London give offers?
If you submit your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) before the relevant deadline (either 15 October or 26 January), King’s aims to issue decisions by May. After receiving an offer, you’ll be able to track your application, accept your place and complete the remaining next steps, including enrolment and any required payment or tuition payments. If you have questions about your application status, you can contact a King’s advisor or the university’s admissions office.
Where is King’s College London?
King’s College London is located across several campuses in central London, including Strand, Guy’s, Waterloo, St Thomas’ and Denmark Hill. As a member of the Russell Group, King’s offers a central London location with world-leading teaching and research, making it one of the UK’s most popular destinations for both domestic and international students.
Can I apply as a mature student?
Yes. A mature student is an undergraduate applicant applying at the age of 21 or over. KCL welcomes applications from mature students and provides guidance throughout the university and college admission process. Whether you’re returning to undergraduate education after a break or planning to progress into postgraduate education, you’ll still need to meet the relevant requirements for entry, although these entry requirements will vary according to your chosen course of study.
How do international students apply to King’s College London?
International applicants can apply to King’s through UCAS for most full-time undergraduate courses, while some postgraduate programmes accept applications via King’s Apply using the King’s Apply portal. Depending on where you’re applying from, you’ll need to meet the university’s international entry requirements, including any English language requirements. This may involve providing proof of English language proficiency through an approved English language test.
Students from the United States may be eligible to apply using qualifications such as the SAT, Advanced Placement courses or honors or dual enrolment classes, while applicants from other countries should check the qualification requirements for their country. If you don’t yet meet the academic or English language criteria, the King’s International Foundation Programme may provide an alternative route into a degree.
What admissions tests does King’s College London require?
Some courses require applicants to sit an admissions exam in addition to their academic qualifications. For Medicine and Dentistry, applicants usually need the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), while Law applicants may need the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT). If you’re unsure whether your course at King’s requires the UCAT or LNAT, check the individual course page before applying. You may also be invited to attend an interview, so preparing for common interview questions can be an important part of your application.
How can I improve my chances of getting into King’s College London?
If you’re researching how to get into KCL or how to get into King’s College London, start by making sure you understand the specific requirements for your chosen course and choose the right qualifications or classes to meet subject requirements. Strong applicants combine excellent grades with wider reading, relevant work experience and genuine enthusiasm for their subject. If you’re planning to apply, our admissions specialists offer personalised application support, including help with personal statements, interview preparation and admissions tests through our comprehensive step-by-step guide to the application process.
Can I study abroad at King’s College London?
Yes. Many degree programmes offer opportunities for study abroad students, allowing you to spend part of your degree at a partner university overseas. Whether you’re applying to study at King’s College from abroad or hoping to spend part of your degree overseas, it’s worth checking whether your chosen programme includes international exchange opportunities.
