King’s College London
King’s College London (KCL) Medical School is one of the prestigious, Russel Group medical schools of London. The medical school is split into three campuses at Guy’s Hospital, King’s College Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital, which is why the medical school is named “GKT School of Medical Education.
About The Course
King’s College London’s MBBS course has an integrated curriculum that intends to support and help students train to be medical professionals. Students will be able to learn from global leaders in the fields of life sciences and medical research and experience the hospital settings of Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’ hospitals.
The programme has three stages, with an intercalation year between stage two and three.
Assessments are both formative and summative, with the former occurring throughout the programme. Early formative assessments occur in stage one to help identify students who may need additional support. Stage three will consist of two external assessments that will aid F1 training too.
KCL splits the 5-year medicine course into 3 stages: stage 1 (Year 1), stage 2 (Years 2 and 3) and stage 3 (Years 4 and 5).
Structure Of The Course
Year 1
Stage 1 is split into self-directed study and taught sessions (lectures, seminars and cadaveric dissection). Students will undertake four main modules in their first year and will sit a written examination at the end of the year.
Year 2-3
Stage 2 has students spending half of their time on clinical placements and half of their time in lectures, case-based teaching and seminars. Students will also sit OSCEs and undergo projects in this stage while studying a further four modules. This stage also allows students to choose an SSC project which allows them to focus on an area of medicine which is interesting to them. Students wishing to intercalate will do so between stages 2 and 3.
Year 4-5
Stage 3 is mostly based on clinical placement (81% of the time) with some lectures and self-study running alongside. There are six required modules including three projects. Students will also sit the MLA before they graduate.
Academic Requirements
GCSEs: GCSE grade 6/B in both English Language and Mathematics is required.
A-levels: A*AA To include Biology and Chemistry. A* grade can be in any subject. General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, Global Perspectives and EPQ will not be accepted/ considered.
Scottish Higher: AAA
Scottish Advanced Higher: AAB at Higher in one sitting and AA at advanced higher. Must include grade A in an Advanced Higher in Chemistry and Advanced Higher in Biology. Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject will not be accepted.
International Baccalaureate: 35 points including 766 at Higher Level Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Biology and Chemistry.
IELTs (International applicants only): Minimum score of 6.5 in all components and an overall score of 7.
Bachelor's Degree (Graduates only): Minimum 2:1 if undergraduate degree is in a Biosciences subject with both Biology and Chemistry content. For all other graduates, you will need a 2:1 minimum AND grades AA at A-Level in both Biology and Chemistry (or international equivalent). All graduate applicants must meet the GCSE requirements. KCL also offer a graduate-entry medicine programme.
Further Entry Requirements
Work experience: You are expected to undertake work experience in a care environment or shadow healthcare professionals in a clinical setting. If it has not been possible for you to organise this then you should provide evidence of working in the public sector, e.g. waitressing.
Personal statement: Your personal statement will be read and is expected to detail your work experience, reasoning for wanting to study medicine, you’re your extra-curriculars. Your referees should strongly support your application and comment on your academic achievements, character and suitability for medicine.
Admissions Process
Admissions Tests:
UCAT ✅
KCL does not use a cut-off score for the UCAT and instead considers it in conjunction with your other credentials. In 2022, the average UCAT score of those invited for interview was 2951 (or 2857 for widening access students).
Interview Type: MMI
Interview Topics: Common medicine interview question topics will include:
- Motivation for studying medicine
- Why you want to study medicine at King’s specifically
- Teamwork
- Ethics
- Work Experience
- NHS Hot Topics
- COVID-19
- Role-play
- Personal Statement
- Beyond Healthcare
- Current Research in Medicine
Admissions Statistics
| Total number of applicants: | 3940 |
| Total number of places: | 344 |
| Total number of entrants: | 351 |
| Acceptance rate: | 8.91% |
Fees
| Home students: | £9250 pa |
| Rest of UK: | TBC |
| International students: | £45419 pa |
Teaching Methods
Teaching style: KCL teaches medicine in an integrated style, meaning students will learn via lectures, seminars, placements, self-directed study hours and cadaveric dissection. KCL also gives students the opportunity to explore the areas of medicine that are most interesting to them with the SSC blocks.
Intercalation mode: Students who want to intercalate can do so between Years 3 and 4.
Graduate Prospects
Graduates of KCL Medical School are earning an average of £34,000 15 months after graduation, with 100% of graduates being either in work and/or further study.
FAQs
Is KCL medicine hard to get into?
In terms of admissions statistics, KCL has an acceptance rate of 10-25% for medical applicants. KCL asks for A*AA at A Level whereas the majority of UK medical schools will ask for AAA, making it more difficult to get into in an academic sense compared to other medical schools.
What is the lowest UCAT score needed for KCL?
For 2022 entry, the applicant with the lowest UCAT score invited to interview was 2360 for standard applicants and 2380 for widening participation applicants.
When does KCL give out offers for medicine?
Applicants will be informed of a decision on their application by 19th May 2024 at the latest.
Is KCL a Russel Group university?
Yes, KCL is a Russel Group university.
What is KCL’s ranking for medicine?
According to the Complete University Guide, KCL is ranked 12th in the UK for medicine in 2024.
School Details
School Details
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