27. King’s College London (UK)

One of the two founding colleges of the University of London, King's is the largest healthcare learning centre in Europe, incorporating three teaching hospitals. But the 23,000 students at its main riverside site in the heart of London and four satellites also benefit from its strengths in law, the humanities and social sciences.

King's College London is one of the top 20 universities in the world (2015-16 QS international world rankings). A research-led university based in the heart of London, King's has more than 26,500 students (of whom more than 10,000 are graduate students) from nearly 150 countries, and more than 6,500 employees. King's is in the second phase of a £1 billion redevelopment program which is transforming its estate.

King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 23 departments were ranked in the top quartile of British universities; over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in the top 10 per cent in the UK in their field and can thus be classed as world leading.

The college is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of nearly £554 million. King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs.

King’s has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar. It is the largest center for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe; no university has more Medical Research Council Centres.

The college is in the midst of a five-year, £500 million fundraising campaign – World questions | King’s answers – created to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity as quickly as feasible. The campaign’s five priority areas are neuroscience and mental health, leadership and society, cancer, global power and children's health. 

Facilities

Information Services Centres on each campus provide students with integrated library and computing facilities. There are over 1,300 PC workstations and on the major campuses computer rooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An extensive wireless internet network also covers much of the College.

King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) provides quality recreational, social and welfare services for all students. KCLSU runs an exhaustive programme of events at its top quality venues and supports numerous student-led clubs and societies. Three sports grounds provide facilities for hockey, rugby, football, cricket, tennis, and netball. There are also rifle ranges, two gyms and a swimming pool.

Why study with us?

King’s offers a wide range of courses, covering a range of traditional core subjects and innovative new studies. Students are inspired and intellectually stimulated by studying with some of the world’s leading researchers and academics who are pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

With over 23,000 students, of whom more than 8,000 are postgraduates, King’s can boast a diverse and vibrant student community. Around one in five students at King’s is an international student. King’s is home to students from all over the world, with almost every country, ethnic and cultural group represented. As part of this diverse student body you will be able to mix with people from many different backgrounds and cultures.