King’s College London (KCL) is one of the oldest universities in the UK, located in central London along the River Thames. It is London’s second-largest university, with campuses spread across well-known student areas in the city.
KCL operates across 5 campuses in London: Strand, Guy’s, Waterloo, St Thomas’, and Denmark Hill. The university is ranked #31 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and #38 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
The university offers UG and PG admissions, with September as the main intake.
Postgraduate (September intake):
Undergraduate:
While KCL doesn’t officially publish its acceptance rate, publicly available data and independent sources suggest it’s around 13%.KCL enrolls 42,736 students from 160 countries. Popular programmes include LLM, MSc Banking and Finance, MSc Data Science, and BSc Computer Science. Additionally,The SOP matters a lot in admissions, so students should write it carefully and keep it course-specific. Fees span £38,300–£42,800 (₹40–45 lakhs) for postgraduate courses and £27,100–£40,450 (₹28–42 lakhs) for undergraduate programmes.
For undergraduate admissions at KCL, Indian applicants need a class 12 certificate with at least 80-90% marks. Postgraduate programs require a bachelor’s degree with at least 65-70% marks, depending on your previous institution. Additionally, you need to have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent to meet the English language proficiency requirement.
Check all the courses offered by King’s College London (KCL) for international students
*If you missed the UCAS equal consideration deadline or didn’t receive/accept any offers, UCAS Extra gives you another chance to apply to one more university. To know everything about UCAS, check UCAS Deadline 2026.
Table of Contents
Check out some of the top programs offered by KCL, along with their tuition fees and admissions requirements.
| Course Name | Duration | Tuition Fees (GBP) | Tuition Fees (INR) | Tips for Indian Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLM (1.9K Views) | 1 Year | £38,300 | ₹45.9 Lakh | – LLB completed with 65%+ overall – Exposure to Indian law (internships/court work) – Clearly link SOP to legal background |
| MSc Banking and Finance (643 Views) | 1 Year | £45,100 | ₹54.12 Lakh | – 65%+ in finance/economics/maths bachelor’s degree – Strong statistics & quantitative skills – Mention Indian bank/finance internships |
| MSc Data Science (388 Views) | 1 Year | £40,450 | ₹48.5 Lakh | – 65%+ in CS/engineering/maths bachelor’s degree – Python/R and data projects required – GitHub or project portfolio recommended |
| MSc Artificial Intelligence (323 Views) | 1 Year | £40,450 | ₹48.5 Lakh | – 65%+ in CS/engineering bachelor’s degree – Prior AI coursework or projects – Strong coding background expected |
| MSc Cyber Security (243 Views) | 1 Year | £40,450 | ₹48.5 Lakh | – 65%+ in CS/IT bachelor’s degree – Knowledge of networking & security fundamentals – Highlight cyber exposure or case studies |
| BSc Computer Science (238 views) | 3 Year | £40,450 | ₹48.5 Lakh | – Class 12 Maths mandatory with 85–90% – Strong academic scores in science subjects – Coding projects or CS exposure preferred |
| BSc Economics and Management (93 views) | 3 Year | £33,300 | ₹40.1 Lakh | – Class 12 Maths required with 85%+ – Economics/Commerce background preferred – Interest in analytics and management |
| BSc Psychology (93 views) | 3 Year | £42,800 | ₹51.8 Lakh | – Class 12 with 80–85% overall – Science or biology helpful but not mandatory – SOP focused on psychology or research interest |
| BSc Sport & Exercise Medical Sciences (90 views) | 3 Year | £38,300 | ₹46.3 Lakh | – Class 12 Biology & Chemistry with 85%+ – Science practical background required – Interview may be part of selection |
| BSc Accounting and Finance (90 views) | 3 Year | £38,300 | ₹46.3 Lakh | – Class 12 Maths preferred with 85%+ – Strong performance in accounts and numeracy – Interest in finance-related subjects |
King’s College London acceptance rate is around 13% only, portraying a highly selective admissions process. For undergraduate programs, you need to apply via UCAS by :
The first application deadline for the majority of the postgraduate programs is March 9, 2026. However, the final application deadline is July 25, 2026, or until seats are available. Hence, it is best to visit the official program page to check for availability before applying.
Check out more details about KCL admissions 2026 in the table below.
| Particulars | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| Application Portal | UCAS | King’s Apply |
| Application Fee | GBP 28.95 (INR 3,432) | GBP 70-150 (INR 8,470 -18,150) depending on the course |
| Application Deadline | January 14, 2026 (Equal Consideration Deadline) February 26, 2026 (UCAS Extra opens) | July 25, 2026 (for September 2026) |
| Academic Requirements | Indian High School Certificate with at least 80-90% marks. | Bachelor’s degree with 65-70% marks |
| English language Requirements | IELTS: 6.5 | PTE: 62 | TOEFL iBT: 92 | Cambridge CAE/ CPE: 176 | |
| Documents Required | A personal statement | 1 reference | University/high school transcripts (where applicable) | Official English translations | English Language test results | |
KCL Through Students’ Eyes
As per Collegedunia student reviews, most students view King’s College London positively for its reputation, central London location, and global exposure. Students value the wide range of societies, events, and the diverse student body, along with supportive staff, good libraries, and modern facilities. At the same time, they note challenges such as crowded study spaces, confusing buildings, uneven class schedules, and high living costs. Overall, KCL offers strong learning and networking opportunities, but success depends on effort and planning.
Read more about the UK university application process for 2026.
King’s College London’s Strand Campus is the largest and most centrally located KCL campus, right in the middle of London near the River Thames, Covent Garden, and the West End.
Notable Buildings at Strand Campus
The video takes you on a quick tour of King’s College London’s Strand Campus, showcasing popular buildings, classrooms, nearby restaurants, and the surrounding area.
To live comfortably, you should budget GBP 1,734 per month for living expenses in London in addition to tuition fees. You should also account for initial arrival costs like short-term accommodation, deposits, utensils, and clothing.
Check out the below tables to learn more about the living expenses at KCL.
| Period | Lower Range | Average Range | Higher Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | GBP 1,326 ₹1.60 Lakhs | GBP 1,734 ₹2.10 Lakhs | GBP 2,279 ₹2.76 Lakhs |
| 9 Months (UG) | GBP 11,934 ₹14.44 Lakhs | GBP 15,606 ₹18.88 Lakhs | GBP 20,211 ₹24.46 Lakhs |
| 12 Months (PG) | GBP 15,912 ₹19.25 Lakhs | GBP 20,808 ₹25.18 Lakhs | GBP 27,348 ₹33.09 Lakhs |
| Expense | Monthly | 9 Months | 12 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | GBP 1,141 ₹1.38 Lakhs | GBP 10,269 ₹12.43 Lakhs | GBP 13,692 ₹16.57 Lakhs |
| Food | GBP 162 ₹20,000 | GBP 1,458 ₹1.76 Lakhs | GBP 1,944 ₹2.35 Lakhs |
| Travel (Zones 1- 4) | GBP 173 ₹21,000 | GBP 1,557 ₹1.88 Lakhs | GBP 2,076 ₹2.51 Lakhs |
| Personal & Leisure | GBP 258 ₹31,000 | GBP 2,322 ₹2.81 Lakhs | GBP 3,096 ₹3.75 Lakhs |
| Total | GBP 1,734 ₹2.10 Lakhs | GBP 15,606 ₹18.88 Lakhs | GBP 20,808 ₹25.18 Lakhs |
Check the KCL ranking alongside a few similarly ranked universities:
KCL is regarded as one of the top 50 universities globally, as per the international ranking agencies QS and THE. King’s College London QS ranking is #40 in the world universities ranking category. THE and US News rank KCL even higher, at #36 positions in their world university rankings 2025. A few notable world ranking trends of King’s College London are given below.
| Ranked By | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | 2023 Rank | 2022 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #31 | #40 | #40 | #37 | #35 |
| The Guardian UK Best University Ranking | #21 | #28 | #23 | #29 | #23 |
| THE World University Ranking | #38 | #36 | #38 | #35 | #35 |
| US News and World Report Best Global Univesity Ranking | #36 | #36 | #36 | #33 | #33 |
Additional rankings include:
King’s College London offers the following scholarships to international students.
| Scholarship | Eligibility/ Details | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | Outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world. | Fully-funded |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | Low and middle income Commonwealth countries, | Living cost+tuition fee+travel |
| EMBA scholarships | Outstanding candidates applying to study the Executive MBA course | Tuition fee waiver |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Young Indian graduates to pursue postgraduate studies overseas. | Tuition fee+stipend |
| Joint PhD Scholarships 2025/26 | Students applying to joint PhD programs | Tuition fee. Stipend. Bench Fees / Research Training & Support Grant. |
| Mukul Madhav Foundation Scholarship (Women in STEM) 2024-25 | An Indian female student in a one-year full-time STEM master’s program | Stipend+tuition fee |
| Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2025-26 | Indian students studying postgraduate programs at KCL | 10,000 GBP as a fee reduction |
Find scholarships for Indian students pursuing studies in the UK in 2026.
KCL is ranked #6 in the UK for graduate employability (THE Global Employability University Rankings 2025), providing you with the perfect stepping stone to further your career. 93.2% of King’s Business School graduates are in graduate roles or postgraduate study, 6 months after graduation. The average starting salary for graduates of King’s Business School is 26,500 GBP per year. Additionally, 90.87% of King’s graduates (non-business) are in any form of work in highly skilled employment (HESA, 2024-25).
See more on job opportunities in the UK for Indian students in 2026.
Earning While Studying at KCL
Being in central London, KCL is often considered an expensive university, according to Reddit and YouTube student reviews. Many students take part-time jobs to manage costs. On-campus roles are available through KCLSU in cafés, bars, shops, and offices, while King’s Talent Bank offers temporary admin or event jobs, and CareerConnect lists university-specific positions. Off-campus options nearby include retail, hospitality, delivery, or tour guiding, with international students limited to 20 hours per week during term. Pay typically ranges from £10 to £14 an hour (₹1,020–1,430), allowing students to earn around £200–280 a week (₹20,400–28,560) for 20 hours. Jobs can be found through university platforms, LinkedIn, Indeed, or by networking via societies and career events, making early applications and visa compliance essential.
King’s College London (KCL) is a globally ranked university, placing in the Top 45 (QS World University Rankings 2026) with a competitive 13% acceptance rate. The university attracts a highly diverse student body, with over 50% international students from 150+ countries. KCL offers strong career support, hosting over 200 employer events and internship programs while providing access to 500,000+ businesses in London.
