King's College London (KCL) Acceptance Rates

King’s College London (KCL) is a leading institution known for its unique blend of world-class education and central London location, offering students unparalleled access to global opportunities in fields like law, medicine, and international relations. What sets KCL apart from other universities is its strong emphasis on research-driven teaching combined with practical, real-world applications, attracting students who seek to make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields. In this post, we’ll explore KCL’s acceptance rates, including breakdowns by subject and for international students, and the factors that influence your chances of gaining admission. If you’re considering applying to KCL, this guide will help you better understand how it stands out from the competition and what it takes to secure a place at one of London’s top universities.

Source: UCAS

Overall Acceptance Rate

Acceptance Rate 2023-2024

In 2023-2024, KCL received 70,252 applications and gave out 29,024 offers, translating to an overall acceptance rate of 41% across its undergraduate programmes according to official admissions statistics released by KCL.

Overall, KCL’s acceptance rate is considered moderately competitive when compared to other London universities. It is more competitive than Edinburgh, Manchester, and Bristol, but not as selective as Oxford, Cambridge or UCL. Moreover, the competitiveness level varies greatly depending on the undergraduate programme. Keep reading to explore which the acceptance rate of the most popular and selective programmes at KCL.

Trends Over Recent Years

Source: Admission Report

KCL's acceptance rates have decreased drastically since 2019/2020 due to the following key factors:

• Increased Applications: KCL has seen a surge in applications, particularly from international students. As more students worldwide seek to study in London, KCL has become a top destination due to its reputation in fields like medicine, law, and global affairs.
• Higher Competition: With the rise in applicants, competition has grown more intense. The university is receiving applications from highly qualified students, forcing KCL to be more selective to maintain its academic standards.
• COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic caused some students to defer their university entry, creating a backlog of applicants. This, combined with more students applying during the pandemic, has led to a tighter admissions process.
• Government Policies: Changes in UK immigration and higher education policies have increased international demand for UK education, especially after Brexit, leading to increased competition for places at prestigious universities like KCL.

These factors have combined to lower the acceptance rate as KCL continues to attract more applicants while maintaining its selectivity.

Acceptance Rates by Subject

Acceptance rates at KCL vary greatly depending on the course and department. Overall, as the following statistics reveal, courses like medicine, dentistry and law are the most competitive courses, particularly those targeted at graduates or professionals, while courses centred on humanities subjects tend to be those with higher acceptance rates.

Table 1: Most Competitive Subjects in 2023/24

Source: Official KCL admissions statistics

Table 2: Least Competitive Subjects in 2023/24

Source: Official KCL admissions statistics

Key Takeaways

• Programmes with near 100% Offer Rates: Courses like European Studies, Religion, Philosophy & Ethics, and European Politics stand out with close to 100% offer rates. This indicates that nearly all applicants who met the entry requirements were given offers, making these programmes less competitive compared to others.
• Highly Selective Programmes: More popular and competitive fields, such as Medicine, Dentistry and Law tend to have lower offer rates. These programmes also tend to be the ones that attract a large number of applicants and offer fewer places, thus creating a more competitive admissions process.
• Strategic Applications: Prospective students looking to maximise their chances of acceptance may consider applying to programmes with historically higher offer rates. However, it's important to weigh this against their personal interests and career goals. Even less competitive courses at KCL still offer the prestige of attending one of London's top universities.
• International vs Local Applicants: For international applicants, it's essential to understand that some programmes may be more competitive due to the high volume of applications from abroad, especially in popular fields such as law and business. Furthermore, courses like Medicine may be subject to a quota system that limits intake of international students. This can result in lower offer rates as KCL balances its intake between local and international students.

For the specific course entry requirements, check out KCL undergraduate entry requirements.

Acceptance Rates for International Students

King’s College London (KCL) is a global university with a diverse student population. International students make up a significant portion of the applicant pool, but the acceptance rates for these students tend to be more competitive than for domestic applicants.

Domestic vs. International Applicants

International applicants face a more competitive admissions process compared to domestic students. According to official data, KCL’s overall acceptance rate is around 41% for all students. However, international students face even tougher odds, with acceptance rates for international undergraduate applicants typically ranging from 11-15%​. In highly competitive programmes like medicine and law, the acceptance rate for international students can drop as low as 6-8%​.

Key Regions for International Applicants

KCL attracts a substantial number of applications from regions like China, India, the United States, and the European Union. For instance, in recent years, Chinese applicants have made up a significant proportion of international applications, with acceptance rates around 10-12%​. Applicants from India and the USA have similarly competitive acceptance rates, often between 7-15%, depending on the programme​:

• China: ~10-12% acceptance rate
• India: ~8-10% acceptance rate
• USA: ~7-9% acceptance rate

Impact on Admission Chances

International students often face more stringent competition due to limited seats for non-UK applicants. For high-demand programmes, international acceptance rates can dip below 10%, underscoring the importance of a strong academic profile and compelling application​. For more about Applying to UK Universities as an International Student, you can check out TutorChase's blogpost.

Factors Affecting Future Acceptance Trends

Several key factors are likely to influence future acceptance trends at King’s College London, making the admissions process more competitive or accessible in the coming years:

• Increased Demand from International Students: With KCL’s global reputation continuing to grow, especially in regions like Asia and North America, applications from international students are expected to rise, further intensifying competition for limited spots.
• Post-Brexit Immigration Policies: As the UK navigates its post-Brexit landscape, immigration policies affecting EU students will continue to impact acceptance trends. EU applicants, now subject to international student fees, may decline, while non-EU international applications might rise.
• Focus on Diversity and Inclusion: KCL is increasingly prioritising diversity in its student body, which could lead to a more equitable distribution of offers across different socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, and regions.
• Programme Popularity Shifts: Certain programmes, especially in STEM fields like medicine, computer science, and data analytics, are likely to see higher demand due to global job market trends, potentially making these areas more selective.
• Pandemic Aftermath: The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could continue to influence acceptance rates, with more students applying to universities closer to home or opting for online learning options.

These factors will shape KCL’s future admissions landscape, potentially increasing competition in key areas.

Tips on How to Increase Your Success Rate

Given the growing competition for a coveted place at KCL, boosting your chances of getting into King’s College London (KCL) requires careful planning and strategic preparation. Here are some key tips to enhance your application:

• Prepare for Admission Tests: If you're applying for law, make sure to excel in the LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test). Consider working with an experienced LNAT tutor to sharpen your critical thinking and writing skills, giving you a competitive edge.
• Focus on Grades: For domestic students, it is essential to focus on achieving top grades in your A-level exams, especially in subjects closely related to your chosen programme. Strong academic performance demonstrates your capability to handle KCL’s rigorous coursework, so be sure to reach out to professional support like A-Level Biology Tutor or A-Level Chemistry Tutor if you're struggling.
• Strengthen Your Science Applications: For international students, particulalry those aiming for competitive science courses like medicine or dentistry, you need an extra boost and a stronger showcasing of your subject knowledge since the odds are not in your favour. Work with a tutor specialising in your curriculum such as IB Biology Tutor and IB Chemistry Tutor to ensure you perform at the highest possible level in these core subjects.
• Craft a Standout Personal Statement: Tailor your personal statement to highlight your passion for your subject, any relevant work experience, and how KCL’s resources align with your career goals.
• Engage in Extracurriculars: Showcase leadership, commitment, and unique skills through extracurricular activities, which help differentiate your application from others.

By focusing on these areas, you’ll improve your chances of securing a spot at KCL.

Conclusion

Securing a place at King’s College London is competitive, but with the right preparation, your chances can improve significantly. By focusing on academic excellence, excelling in key admission tests and seeking support from tutors, you can strengthen your application. Additionally, a well-rounded personal statement and relevant extracurricular activities will set you apart from other candidates. With dedication and the right strategies, you can boost your success rate and join one of the UK’s top universities.