How to get into King's College London comes down to four things: the right grades and subjects, any test your course needs, a strong UCAS application sent on time, and meeting your offer. This guide covers September 2027 entry at King's College London (KCL), using official sources, for students and parents in the UK, India, the US, the UAE and Asia.
Key takeaways
- The KCL deadline for most courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 (UK time). The Medicine and Dentistry deadline was 15 October 2026 and has passed for 2027 entry.
- Law applicants must sit the LNAT by 31 December 2026. Medicine applicants must take the UCAT in the same year they apply.
- Typical offers on the courses we checked run from AAA to A*A*A at A-level, or 36 to 39 IB points.
- KCL says its undergraduate medical programmes get around 5,000 applications a year for roughly 520 places, and no Medicine offer is made without an interview.
- Home fees: KCL charges £9,790 for 2026 starters, and the government cap for 2027/28 is £10,050. International fees depend on the course.
How to get into King's College London: what does it take?
Quick answer: To get into King's College London, pick a course and meet its grades and subjects (often A*AA or AAA, or 36-39 IB points). Sit the LNAT or UCAT if your course needs one. Apply on UCAS by 13 January 2027 at 18:00 (15 October for Medicine). Then meet your offer conditions, including English if needed.
KCL is in central London and offers over 130 undergraduate courses. Each course page has its own "Entry requirements" and "Fees" tabs, and those tabs are the final word (KCL how to apply).
What courses and faculties does KCL have?
KCL's faculties include The Dickson Poon School of Law, Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences, Social Science & Public Policy, Arts & Humanities, King's Business School, Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, and Nursing and Midwifery. It also runs Medicine and Dentistry.
Popular choices for our readers include Law LLB (M100), Medicine MBBS (A100), Computer Science BSc (G400), Economics BSc (L100), Mathematics BSc (G100), Physics BSc (F300), War Studies BA (L252) and International Relations BA (L250). Most are three years. Medicine is five years (six with an optional intercalated degree).
What are the KCL entry requirements for 2027?
These are the standard offers on KCL's course pages for September 2027 entry.
| Course | A-level offer | IB Diploma | Must include |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law LLB (M100) | A*AA | 38 points | No set subjects |
| Medicine MBBS (A100) | A*AA | 38 points | A in Biology and Chemistry; HL6 in both |
| Computer Science BSc (G400) | A*A*A | 39 points | A in Maths or Further Maths; HL6 Maths AA |
| Economics BSc (L100) | A*AA | 38 points | A in Maths; HL6 Maths (AA or AI) |
| Mathematics BSc (G100) | A*AA | 38 points | A*A in Maths and Further Maths; HL7 Maths AA |
| Physics BSc (F300) | AAA | 36 points | A in Maths and Physics; HL6 Maths AA and Physics |
| War Studies BA / International Relations BA | AAA | 36 points | No set subjects |
Typical KCL offers for September 2027 entry, from the official course pages.
Law LLB asks for A*AA or 38 IB points. Medicine asks for A*AA with A in Biology and Chemistry, or 38 points with HL6 in both. Computer Science asks for A*A*A with A in Maths, or 39 points. Economics and Mathematics both ask for A*AA or 38 points, with set Maths grades. Physics and War Studies ask for AAA or 36 points.
A few rules apply to almost every course (KCL entry requirements):
- Offers are based on three A-levels. If you take four, KCL uses your best three.
- General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives do not count. KCL also ignores the EPQ and does not use UCAS tariff points.
- IB point scores include TOK and the Extended Essay.
For Mathematics, AS Further Maths only counts with STEP grade 3 or an AEA Merit. If your curriculum has no Further Maths, KCL asks for the equivalent of A* in Maths. Planning around exam season? See our A-level exam dates 2027 guide or our IB Diploma Programme guide.
What is a contextual offer at KCL?
Some UK-based applicants who faced barriers (such as free school meals or care experience) can get offers up to two A-level grades lower. For example, Law drops to AAB. Medicine makes no contextual offers and points eligible students to the Extended Medical Degree Programme (A101) (KCL contextualised admissions).
What are the KCL requirements for international students?
KCL for Indian students (CBSE and ISC)
For Indian school qualifications, KCL accepts only the High School Leaving Certificate from the CBSE or CISCE (ISC) boards. To see your grades, select India under International applicants on your course page (KCL India & South Asia). Check the official KCL page for the percentages. Students from other South Asian countries are directed to the King's International Foundation Programme.
KCL for US students (AP, SAT and ACT)
KCL accepts APs, SAT, ACT, Honors and Dual Enrolment classes, IB HLs and A-levels, but not the high school diploma alone (KCL entry requirements). Examples from KCL's table:
| UK offer | Five APs only | Or three APs at 5 plus |
|---|---|---|
| A*A*A | 5,5,5,5,5 | ACT 30 or SAT 1410 |
| A*AA | 5,5,5,5,4 | ACT 29 or SAT 1380 |
| AAA | 5,5,5,4,4 | ACT 28 or SAT 1380 |
SAT routes have minimum section scores and no superscores. US codes are 6789 (ACT, SAT, APs) and 7884 (College Board) (KCL USA).
UAE, Middle East and Asia
KCL welcomes A-levels and the IB from students in the UAE and the wider region. If your national qualification is not accepted for direct entry, the King's International Foundation Programme is the route (KCL Middle East page).
What English score does KCL need?
Each course sits in an English "band" (KCL English language requirements):
| Band | Example courses | IELTS Academic |
|---|---|---|
| B | Law, Medicine, Economics, War Studies, International Relations | 7.0 overall, 6.5 in each skill |
| D | Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each skill |
All scores must come from one test, taken within two years of your course start. KCL also accepts PTE, TOEFL and some school qualifications. Nationals of some English-speaking countries (including the UK and USA) who studied there may not need a test.
Which admissions tests does KCL need?
Only some courses need a test: the LNAT for Law and Politics, Philosophy & Law, the UCAT for Medicine and Dentistry, and Casper for Dental Therapy & Hygiene (KCL entry requirements).
KCL LNAT rules for Law
Every Law applicant must sit the LNAT by 31 December 2026. You can send UCAS before or after the test, but KCL will not consider your application further if you miss that date. Select King's when you register. Results do not carry over to another year (KCL Law LLB; LNAT dates). Our LNAT guide explains the test.
KCL UCAT for Medicine
KCL Medicine needs the UCAT, taken in the year you apply; the BMAT is not accepted. Last cycle it ranked applicants by UCAT, GCSEs and widening participation data, with no minimum UCAT score (KCL Medicine). UCAT 2026 testing ran from 13 July to 24 September 2026 (UCAT). Dates for UCAT 2027 (for 2028 entry) are not yet published. See our UCAT 2027 guide.
What is the KCL UCAS deadline for 2027 entry?
KCL's standard deadline is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time. For Medicine and Dentistry it was 15 October 2026 at 18:00 (KCL how to apply). KCL warns that UCAS shows a later deadline for international students, but KCL treats anything after these dates as late.
Key dates for KCL 2027 entry.
The Medicine and Dentistry deadline was 15 October 2026. Law applicants must sit the LNAT by 31 December 2026. The main UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027 at 18:00. Medicine interviews usually run from December to April, with decisions by the end of May. The late UCAS deadline is 30 June 2027, and A-level results come out on 12 August 2027.
Sources: UCAS dates, KCL's Medicine page and, for results day, LSE's official admissions calendar.
The 2027 KCL cycle at a glance.
LNAT testing opened on 1 September 2026. Law applicants sit it by 31 December 2026. The UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027 at 18:00. KCL releases offers from October to May. The last UCAS date before Clearing is 30 June 2027, and A-level results arrive on 12 August 2027.
How do you apply to KCL step by step?
The four stages of a KCL application.
First, choose your course and check its rules. Second, sit the LNAT or UCAT if your course needs one. Third, apply on UCAS by 13 January 2027. Fourth, get your offer and meet its conditions.
- Choose your course and read its Entry requirements and Fees tabs.
- Book any test: LNAT for Law, UCAT for Medicine.
- Complete UCAS: up to five choices (only four in Medicine or Dentistry), your teacher reference and predicted grades.
- Submit by 13 January 2027 at 18:00 for most courses.
- Use King's Apply. KCL sends you a login to see offers and interview invitations and to send documents.
- Reply, pay any deposit and meet your conditions. KCL's USA page says acceptance deadlines are usually in early June.
What documents do you need?
- Your UCAS application, with grades, a teacher reference and your personal statement.
- LNAT or UCAT results, if your course needs them.
- English evidence, sent through King's Apply before the deadline in your offer.
- For Medicine: Occupational Health clearance and an enhanced criminal record (DBS) check.
- For international students: a passport and a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for your visa.
How do you write a KCL personal statement?
From 2026 entry, UCAS uses three questions instead of one long essay (UCAS personal statement):
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
The limit is 4,000 characters including spaces, with at least 350 per answer. For Law, KCL wants real interest in law as an intellectual subject, and applicants from outside the UK should say why they want English law. For Medicine, KCL normally expects work experience in a caring setting or clinical observation, or else a public-facing job.
Does KCL interview applicants?
Medicine does: KCL makes no Medicine offers without an interview. Interviews usually run from December to April and are remote this cycle. They assess communication, ethical reasoning, healthcare awareness and motivation; KCL sends the format through King's Apply. KCL says around 1,200 applicants were interviewed in the latest cycle, for 347 places from about 2,960 applications.
The other entry pages we checked (Law, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, War Studies) do not list an interview.
How much are KCL fees for 2027?
Home students: KCL charges £9,790 for September 2026 starters (KCL tuition fees). The government cap for 2027/28 is £10,050 (gov.uk). For KCL's own 2027/28 Home fee, check the official KCL page.
International students: KCL's course fee pages for September 2027 courses list these yearly fees. Check the official KCL page for the exact year they apply to.
| Course | International fee per year | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Law LLB | £35,900 | £2,000 |
| Medicine MBBS | £60,200 | £5,000 |
| Computer Science BSc | £42,900 | £2,000 |
| Economics BSc | £40,600 | £2,000 |
| Mathematics BSc | £38,100 | £2,000 |
| Physics BSc | £40,600 | £2,000 |
| War Studies BA | £34,000 | £2,000 |
What KCL scholarships and bursaries are there?
The King's Living Bursary is for full-time Home students who are means-tested by Student Finance. You do not apply; KCL contacts you. For new students starting in 2025/26 or 2026/27, it pays (KCL King's Living Bursary 2026-27):
- Household income £25,000 or less: £2,000 a year
- £25,001 to £33,500: £1,900
- £33,501 to £42,875: £1,600
You do not repay it. Rates for 2027/28 starters are not yet published. International students should search KCL's funding database, which lists awards for UK and international students (KCL fees and funding).
What do international students need for a UK Student visa?
You need an offer from a licensed sponsor, a CAS from KCL, enough money and the required English (gov.uk Student visa). Apply up to 6 months before your course starts; decisions usually take 3 weeks. The fee is £558, plus the healthcare surcharge. For a course in London, you must show £1,529 a month for living costs (up to 9 months), held for 28 days in a row (gov.uk money rules).
Book a free demo class with an Asymptode mentor to plan your Maths and science grades for KCL. You can also see our plans and fees.
What is the plan from Year 10 (Grade 9) to KCL?
- Year 10 / Grade 9: Aim high in GCSE Maths and English. KCL Medicine wants at least grade 6 in both.
- Year 11 / Grade 10: Pick A-level or IB subjects that match your course, such as Maths and Further Maths for Mathematics or Biology and Chemistry for Medicine.
- Year 12 / Grade 11: Read widely and build experience. Future medics start work experience or volunteering.
- Summer before Year 13: Medics sit the UCAT. Everyone drafts their three personal statement answers.
- Year 13 / Grade 12: Medics apply by 15 October. Law applicants sit the LNAT by 31 December. Everyone else applies by 13 January.
- Spring to August: Prepare for any interview, sit your final exams and meet your offer.
Future medics can read how to become a doctor. Comparing London options? See how to get into UCL, how to get into LSE and how to get into Imperial College London.
What are the most common mistakes?
- Missing the LNAT date. For KCL Law it is 31 December, not the UCAS deadline.
- Taking the wrong test. KCL Medicine needs the UCAT and will not accept the BMAT.
- Ignoring subject rules. Mathematics needs Further Maths, and Physics needs Maths and Physics.
- Trusting the later UCAS international deadline. KCL treats applications after 13 January 2027 as late.
- Assuming you can resit for Law. KCL Law does not accept resit students, except where there are significant mitigating circumstances.
How 1-on-1 tutoring helps with getting into KCL
- One dedicated mentor, live online 1-on-1. The mentor follows your own syllabus (A-level, IB, CBSE, ISC or AP) and plans around your exam dates and KCL deadlines.
- Method-first Maths and science. Your mentor watches each step of your working in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. This builds the grades KCL asks for, such as A* in Maths or HL7.
- Personalised homework with feedback. You also get short parent updates, and every class is recorded so you can rewatch it.
- Planning help for the rest. For the LNAT, UCAT and personal statement, the mentor helps with planning and method. Start with a free demo class.
Facts checked against official sources on 6 November 2026.
FAQ
What grades do you need to get into KCL?
It depends on the course. On the pages we checked, offers run from AAA (Physics, War Studies) to A*A*A (Computer Science), or 36 to 39 IB points. Always check the course's Entry requirements tab.
Is it too late to apply to KCL for 2027?
For most courses, no. The deadline is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time. Law applicants must also sit the LNAT by 31 December 2026. The Medicine and Dentistry deadline (15 October 2026) has passed, so medics should plan for 2028 entry.
What is the KCL acceptance rate?
KCL does not publish a single acceptance rate on the pages we checked. For Medicine, KCL says about 2,960 people applied for 347 places in the latest cycle, and around 1,200 were interviewed. For other courses, check the official KCL page.
Does KCL accept CBSE and ISC students from India?
Yes. KCL accepts the High School Leaving Certificate from the CBSE or CISCE boards only. Select India in the International applicants dropdown on your course page to see the grades. You will also need to meet the English requirement for your course.
Do I need the LNAT or UCAT for KCL?
You need the LNAT for Law LLB and its joint law degrees, and for Politics, Philosophy & Law. You need the UCAT for Medicine and Dentistry. Most other courses, including Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics and Physics, do not list an admissions test.
Can I get a scholarship at KCL as an international student?
KCL's funding database lists awards for UK and international students, so search it and check each award's rules. We found no named 2027 international undergraduate awards on official pages. The King's Living Bursary is for Home students only.
Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.
Sources
- KCL: How to apply (undergraduate)
- KCL: Undergraduate entry requirements
- KCL: Law LLB entry requirements
- KCL: Medicine MBBS entry requirements
- KCL: Computer Science BSc entry requirements
- KCL: Economics BSc entry requirements
- KCL: Mathematics BSc entry requirements
- KCL: Physics BSc entry requirements
- KCL: War Studies BA entry requirements
- KCL: English language requirements
- KCL: India and South Asia
- KCL: USA
- KCL: Undergraduate tuition fees
- KCL: King's Living Bursary 2026-27
- UCAS: Dates and deadlines
- UCAS: Personal statement for 2026 entry onwards
- LNAT: Dates and deadlines
- UCAT: Test cycle
- GOV.UK: Student visa
- GOV.UK: Changes to tuition fees 2026/27 and 2027/28