Is King’s College London difficult to get into?

Aiming to get into King’s College London? This article covers the entry requirements for Indian students, required aptitude tests, practical tips to get into, the step-by-step application process and KCL acceptance rate. 

King’s College London has been ranked among the Top 2.5% of universities across the world in the latest QS rankings. In the 2027 QS rankings, KCL ranks at #37 globally and #6 in the UK. It is home to 19,000+ international students from more than 180 countries. One of the reasons that makes KCL a popular choice among Indian students is that King’s College London has been ranked at #11 position in the Graduate Market 2026 report. This means that KCL is one of the top universities that is targeted by top employers like Google, Amazon, BBC, PwC, Barclays, Microsoft, etc.  

Before applying, students may wonder whether it is really difficult to get into King’s College London? The honest answer is yes, KCL is very selective. But with a well-prepared application and strong academic record, Indian students can get into King’s College London. Check this article to know King’s College London entry requirements for 2027, overall and course-wise acceptance rate, application process, and more.

What is King’s College London Acceptance Rate?

The official acceptance rate for KCL has not been published. A few unofficial sources have cited that King’s College London acceptance rate is around 13%. This acceptance rate suggests that KCL is very selective. The academic record is considered, but besides this, other factors that KCL may also consider are- 

• Well-written personal statement
• Good references
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Relevant experience
• Extracurricular activities

Most Competitive Courses of King’s College London

Some of the most competitive courses of KCL are Dentistry, Medicine, Political Economy, Education, Communication & Society. Given below are the statistics for KCL courses-

(Source: Non-UK UCAS 2024 Stats)

King’s College London Undergraduate Admission Requirements

KCL accepts the Indian High School Leaving Certificate from the CBSE or CISCE boards for UG admissions. The UK-equivalent requirements may vary as per AAA – BBB requirements.  

• For admission to UG Medicine & Dentistry courses, the students are required to appear for UCAT
• Students who want to study Law and Politics, Philosophy & Law courses, the students have to appar for LNAT 

King’s College London Postgraduate Admission Requirements

KCL accepts applications for the Master’s courses when the students have passed a 3-year Bachelor’s (Honors) or Bachelor (Special degree). Here are KCL requirements for Indian students who want to take admission to Master’s courses-

 For Postgraduate research courses, KCL welcomes applications from students who have taken a Master’s degree from a recognized university. The grade requirements vary. But the minimum requirements may be between 60% - 65%+ average across all years of study.

English Language Requirements at KCL

The minimum test scores required in the English language tests for admission to King’s College London vary as per the Band and Courses. While the minimum test scores may vary, a range of English language test scores is given below-

How to apply to KCL from India?

For Undergraduate courses of KCL, students can apply via UCAS. Students can apply for UCAS for a maximum of 5 courses per year. On the other hand, the Postgraduate applications can be made via the direct university application portal. The application process for KCL is given below-

1. Shortlist the courses and check the entry requirements on KCL’s website
2. Appear for the entrance tests and prepare the documents that are required for admission to KCL
3. Apply through the specific portal UCAS or Direct university portal
4. Appear for the interview, if it’s a requirement for any course at KCL
5. Wait for the admission offer. Usually for UG courses, the admission decisions are announced within 7-12 weeks.

Documents required to apply to King’s College London from India

Students must keep these documents ready before applying to KCL-

• A personal statement
• Transcripts of previous studies
• Resume 
• A reference
• TOEFL / IELTS

Tips to improve your chances of getting into KCL

With an acceptance rate of 13% overall and around 4% - 11% for selected courses, it is evident that KCL is very selective. Here are some of the tips to get into King’s College London.

• Apply early – Start preparing for the application for KCL 12 months before the intended admission intake
• Aim for good marks – Try to obtain good marks in Class 12 or Bachelor’s degree 
• Write a good personal statement – Create a focused personal statement. Try not just list out the personal or professional achievements, present them in such a manner that it reflects your interest in a particular course at KCL

King’s College London Application Deadline 2027

The application deadlines or the PG courses vary. Here are some of the application deadlines for some of the courses of KCL-

Final Thoughts: King’s College London acceptance rate suggests that it is competitive to get admission. But the real competitiveness depends on the students’ course, grades, and the students’ application quality. Indian students with a strong academic record and well-crafted application can succeed in getting into KCL.