If you’re considering applying for an undergraduate degree at King’s College London (KCL), it’s important to understand the entry requirements—both academic and language. This guide presents them clearly, in everyday language, to help you prepare a strong application.

1. Academic Entry Requirements

KCL expects prospective undergraduate students to meet strong academic standards. Points to know:

1. You’ll generally need a recognised qualification such as A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB), or an equivalent international diploma.
2. Specific courses may require particular subjects or grades. For example, the medicine programme demands high grades in Chemistry and Biology.
3. For students from the USA, KCL accepts qualifications such as AP, SAT or ACT scores.
4. Entry requirements vary by course, so you should check the specific programme page for exact criteria.

Key tips for applicants:

1. Make sure your final secondary qualification is completed and meets the grade thresholds for your chosen course.
2. If your qualification is non-UK, check how it translates to UK standards and what equivalents KCL accepts.
3. If your background is outside the UK, provide full documentation of your qualifications, subject grades, and any required tests.

2. English Language Requirements

Because teaching is in English, KCL requires that all students demonstrate sufficient English language competence. This is especially relevant for international applicants whose first language is not English.

What you need to know:

1. KCL has published a list of accepted tests and required scores for undergraduate entry.
2. Examples of minimum scores for key tests:
3. IELTS (Academic): 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each skill for many programmes.
4. TOEFL iBT: 100 overall with a minimum of 25 in writing and 23 in each of the other skills.
5. Pearson Test of English (Academic): 69 overall with a minimum of 62 in each communicative skill.
6. Your test must have been taken within a specific timeframe (often within two years of the course start date).
7. There may be exemptions if you have completed substantial previous education in English or in a majority English-speaking country—check KCL’s guidance.

Practical advice:

1. Book your English test early, especially if you need to reach a high score.
2. If your result is below requirement, you may need to take a pre-sessional English course.
3. Upload your test certificate and check that it meets every “minimum in each skill” requirement—sometimes meeting the overall score isn’t enough.
4. Save your test certificate and score report in your application files and meet any deadlines set by KCL.

3. What Makes a Strong Application

Meeting minimum entry requirements is the first step. To boost your chances of admission:

1. Choose a programme that aligns with your prior study and interests.
2. Highlight subject relevance or prior experience if required by the course.
3. Write a compelling personal statement that explains why you want to study at KCL and how you are prepared.
4. Provide full documentation including transcripts, test scores, and references.
5. Apply by the correct deadline via the required route (for UK undergraduates this is usually the UCAS system).
6. If you are an international applicant, ensure your qualification equivalence and translation (if needed) are clear.

4. Why Knowing These Requirements Matters

1. It sets realistic expectations: you will know whether your qualifications and test scores match KCL’s standards before applying.
2. It helps you prepare in advance: you can study for English tests, gather documents and ensure your grades meet the threshold.
3. It increases your chances of success: meeting or exceeding requirements strengthens your application and may lead to less conditional offers.
4. It avoids late surprises: if you fall short, you can take remedial steps rather than be caught off-guard during the admissions process.

Reference

1. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/entry-requirements
2. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements