King’s College London (KCL) School of Medicine is one of the UK’s most prestigious and competitive medical schools, consistently ranked among the world’s top institutions for medicine. Based in the heart of London, KCL trains its students at three world-renowned teaching hospitals — Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’ — giving exceptional early and diverse clinical exposure.
With around 4,000 applications for roughly 300 places on the standard MBBS (A100), the acceptance rate sits at approximately 10%. Success needs three things together: outstanding academics, an excellent UCAT score, and a strong interview. The most important thing to understand about KCL is that its shortlisting is a transparent, points-based system — so you can position your application deliberately once you know how the points are allocated.
| UCATScore expertise — KCL Medicine Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team and verified against King’s official admissions guidance for 2026/2027 entry. Our UCAT course targets the 2,150+ scores that make KCL applications competitive. |
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: KCL Medicine at a Glance (2026 Entry)
| Course | Standard MBBS (A100), 5 years — plus A102 (Graduate Entry, 4 yrs) & A101 (EMDP, 6 yrs) |
| A-levels | A*AA with grade A in BOTH Chemistry and Biology (A* in either science or the third subject) |
| GCSEs | Grade 6/B minimum in English Language and Maths; number of grade 8/9s scored in shortlisting |
| IB | 38 points overall (or 19 from three HL) with HL6 in Biology and Chemistry |
| UCAT | Required — no fixed threshold, but worth ~59% of the shortlisting score (100 of 170 points) |
| KCL Medicine Interview | Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), held November–May; no offer without interview |
| Acceptance rate | ~10% for A100 (~4,000 applications for ~300 places) |
| Contextual | Up to 20 shortlisting points for widening participation; EMDP (A101) offers ABB |
| UCAS deadline | 15 October 2025, 6pm UK time |
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: How KCL Actually Selects You — The 170-Point System
This is the single most useful thing to understand about KCL, and it’s why this page leads with it. Unlike schools that keep their weighting vague, KCL’s interview shortlisting (based on published Freedom of Information data for 2024 entry) runs on a clear points system out of 170:
| Component | Points | Share of score |
| UCAT cognitive score | 100 | ~59% |
| GCSE performance (mainly number of A*/8–9 grades) | 40 | ~24% |
| Widening participation status | 20 | ~12% |
| Situational Judgement Test (SJT) | 10 | ~6% |
Applicants meeting the minimum academic requirements are ranked in descending order of total score, and roughly the top 1,200–1,400 across all medicine programmes are invited to interview. Your personal statement and reference are read and considered alongside the numbers, but the numbers drive the ranking.
| UCATScore first-hand insight — play the points Because KCL’s system is transparent, you can plan around it. The UCAT alone is ~59% of your shortlisting score, so it’s the highest-leverage thing you can improve — a strong UCAT can genuinely carry a slightly weaker GCSE profile. But the reverse is also true: with 40 points riding on your number of grade 8/9s, weak GCSEs are hard to recover from. If you’re still choosing where to apply and your GCSEs are patchy, KCL rewards a big UCAT more than schools that weight GCSEs equally. |
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: KCL Medicine A-Level Requirements
KCL’s A-level bar is among the most demanding in the UK — and it’s stricter than many schools on subjects.
- Grades: A*AA
- Chemistry: grade A (essential)
- Biology: grade A (essential) — KCL requires BOTH sciences, not ‘Chemistry or Biology’
- Third A-level: any subject; the A* can be in this or in one of the sciences
- Not accepted: General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, Global Perspectives
- Practical endorsement required in all science subjects
- EPQ is not considered at any point in the assessment
| UCATScore tip — the ‘both sciences’ trap Many strong applicants get caught out here. Unlike schools that accept ‘Chemistry or Biology’, KCL requires grade A in BOTH Chemistry and Biology. If you’re choosing your third science-vs-non-science A-level, that’s fine — but never drop Biology or Chemistry assuming one will do. It won’t at KCL. |
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: KCL Medicine GCSE Requirements
The formal minimum is modest, but GCSEs carry real weight in shortlisting (40 of 170 points), so the competitive reality is higher.
- English Language: grade 6/B minimum
- Mathematics: grade 6/B minimum
- In shortlisting, your score is driven primarily by your number of grade A*/8–9 GCSEs
- International applicants without GCSEs are assessed for equivalency case-by-case
Contextual bonus: for eligible widening-participation applicants, KCL may count grade 7s as 8–9s in the GCSE scoring — a meaningful boost. More on this below.
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: KCL Medicine UCAT Requirements & Cut-Off Guidance
All applicants must sit the UCAT in the year they apply. Because it’s ~59% of your shortlisting score, it is the most important single number in your KCL application.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: What competitive scores look like
| Benchmark | Score |
| 2023 entry — average of interviewed home students | 2,930 / 3,600 (old scoring) |
| Equivalent in new scoring (AR removed) | ~2,200 / 2,700 |
| Lowest interview invite (historical) | ~2,800–2,850 old = ~2,100–2,140 new |
| Competitive target (new scoring) | 2,150+ ; ideally 2,200+ |
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: How the UCAT is scored
- Cognitive score: 100 points — the overall average across subtests matters more than any single section
- SJT: 10 points — Bands 1–3 considered; Band 4 not viewed favourably in this competitive pool
- Applicants are ranked on their combined total (UCAT + GCSE + WP + SJT)
| UCATScore UCAT strategy KCL gives nearly 60% of its pre-interview score to the UCAT, so this is where your preparation should go first. Because it’s the average across subtests that counts, consistency beats spikiness — a balanced 2,200 outperforms a lopsided profile with one brilliant and one weak section. Don’t neglect the SJT either: it’s only 10 points, but at this level of competition those points decide close cases, and a Band 4 actively hurts you. For the full year-by-year threshold picture, see our KCL UCAT cut-off page. |
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: KCL Medicine Acceptance Rate & Competition
| Statistic | Figure | ||
| Total medicine applications (all programmes) | ~5,500 per year | ||
| A100 (standard MBBS) applications | ~4,000 | ||
| A100 places | ~300 | ||
| A100 acceptance rate | ~10% (~7.5% offer rate) | ||
| Interview invitations (all medicine programmes) | ~1,200–1,400 | ||
| International applications | 800–1,000+ per year | ||
| International places | 25–30 | ||
| International acceptance rate | ~4% (one cycle: 42 offers / 970 applications) | ||
| UCATScore reality check A 10% acceptance rate means nine of ten applicants — many with outstanding records — won’t receive offers. That’s not to discourage you, but to underline why every component must be competitive: A*AA with A in both sciences, a UCAT around 2,200+, strong GCSEs with multiple 8–9s, and a genuinely strong MMI. At this level there is no ‘weak link’ you can afford. | |||
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: Alternative Entry Routes to KCL Medicine
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: KCL Graduate Entry Medicine (A102) — 4 years
- Bioscience graduates: minimum 2:1 in a biosciences subject containing both Biology and Chemistry content
- All other graduates: minimum 2:1 AND grades AA at A-level in both Biology and Chemistry
- Must still meet GCSE grade 6/B in English Language and Maths, and sit the UCAT
- Separate UCAS code — if eligible for both A100 and A102, you must apply to each separately
Extended Medical Degree Programme (A101) — 6 years
- Designed for widening-participation students from non-selective state education (since age 11)
- A-levels: ABB (lower than the standard programme), UCAT required, Home fee status
- The largest and longest-running EMDP in the UK (since 2001) — 96% completion rate, 750+ graduates
Access to HE Diploma
- 60 credits total (45 at Level 3), 39 at Distinction and 6 at Merit
- At least 15 Level 3 Distinction credits in each of Biology and Chemistry
- Must be QAA-accredited, in Medicine or Dentistry, via a UK provider; Functional Skills modules don’t meet the GCSE requirements
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: The KCL Selection Process — Step by Step
| Stage | What happens |
| 1. Academic screening | Checks A*AA (A in Chemistry + Biology), GCSE 6/B in English & Maths, valid UCAT |
| 2. Holistic shortlisting | Ranks applicants on the 170-point score (UCAT 100 / GCSE 40 / WP 20 / SJT 10) |
| 3. MMI | Shortlisted candidates interview Nov–May; no offer without interview |
| 4. Final decision | Communicated by the end of May |
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: What KCL assesses at the MMI
- Communication skills and articulation
- Social and ethical issues (usually health-related)
- General suitability for medicine and as a health professional
- How you’ll contribute to the university community
- Realistic appreciation of the demands of a medical career; teamwork and commitment
Fit-to-sit policy: if you attend the interview, KCL cannot take mitigating circumstances into account for your performance — raise any issues with admissions at the time, not afterwards.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: Contextual Admissions & Widening Participation
KCL is a national leader in widening participation, and its contextual policies can materially change your chances.
- Up to 20 of the 170 shortlisting points for widening-participation status
- Eligibility includes: KCL K+ / WP programmes, care experience, estrangement, forced migration, unpaid caring responsibilities, Free School Meals, POLAR quintile 1–2 postcode
- For eligible contextual applicants, grade 7s may be counted as 8–9s in the GCSE scoring
- Most contextual flags are applied automatically from your UCAS ‘Diversity and inclusion’ / ‘More about you’ sections; you’ll be asked to submit evidence via King’s Apply
Important: KCL does not make reduced-grade contextual offers for standard A100 — but eligible applicants should consider the EMDP (A101), which has ABB entry.
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: KCL Med Personal Statement & Work Experience
Numerical scores drive shortlisting, but your personal statement and work experience still matter — and KCL will not consider a statement that isn’t focused on Medicine.
- New UCAS format: 4,000 characters across three questions, minimum 350 each
- Show genuine commitment and a realistic appreciation of the academic, physical and emotional demands of medicine
- Caring-environment or clinical-observation experience is ideal; if clinical access isn’t possible, public-interaction roles (pharmacy, retail, restaurant) count
- Evidence of communication, teamwork, school/college participation and community contribution
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: Resits, Deferrals & Age
- Resits: first resits considered (reviewed alongside standard-timeframe applicants); second resits only with significant mitigating circumstances
- Deferrals: home applicants can defer (case-by-case); international applicants cannot, except for military/national service
- Age: you must turn 18 before commencing the second year of the degree
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: Key Dates — KCL Medicine 2026 Entry
| Milestone | Date |
| UCAS application deadline | 15 October 2025, 6pm UK time |
| UCAT test window | July – September 2025 |
| Interview period | November 2025 – May 2026 |
| Final decisions | By end of May 2026 |
| Course start | September 2026 |
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: Prepare Your KCL Medicine Application with UCATScore
KCL rewards strength across every component of its 170-point system. UCATScore helps you build each one:
- UCAT preparation focused on 2,150–2,200+ scores (the single biggest lever at KCL)
- Application review to maximise your shortlisting score
- MMI coaching tailored to KCL’s ethical scenarios and suitability assessment
- Personal Statement review ensuring a medicine-focused, impactful narrative
- Contextual-admissions and EMDP/graduate-entry guidance
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
KCL Medicine Entry Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions — KCL Medicine Entry Requirements
What grades do you need for KCL Medicine?
For the standard MBBS (A100), A*AA at A-level with grade A in BOTH Chemistry and Biology (the A* can be in either science or your third subject). IB: 38 points overall (or 19 from three HL) with HL6 in Biology and Chemistry. GCSE grade 6/B minimum in English Language and Maths. The EMDP (A101) has lower ABB requirements for eligible widening-participation applicants from non-selective state schools.
What UCAT score do I need for KCL?
KCL publishes no fixed cut-off, but the UCAT is ~59% of the shortlisting score. The 2023 average for interviewed home students was 2,930/3,600 — roughly 2,200 in new scoring; the lowest invites were ~2,100–2,140 new. Aim for 2,150+ to be competitive and 2,200+ for a strong position, with an SJT in Band 1–2.
Is KCL or UCL better for Medicine?
Both are outstanding, world-ranked London medical schools with similar entry requirements (A*AA), excellent UCAT expectations and acceptance rates around 9–11%. Neither is meaningfully ‘easier’. KCL trains at Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ with a mandatory intercalated BSc and leading widening-participation programmes (EMDP); UCL trains at UCH and associated hospitals. Choose on teaching style, hospital locations, course structure and campus feel — ideally visit both.
Does KCL Medicine accept resits?
Yes — first resits are considered, though reviewed alongside applicants who achieved the grades in a standard timeframe. Second resits are only considered with significant mitigating circumstances (submit a Mitigating Circumstances form). Retaking the same subject at the same level, even within a different qualification, counts as a resit.
What is KCL’s Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP)?
The A101 EMDP is a 6-year MBBS for students from widening-participation backgrounds who attended only non-selective state education since age 11. It spreads the first year over two years with extra support, has ABB entry (lower than standard A*AA), and a 96% completion rate. It’s the largest and longest-running programme of its type in the UK (since 2001) and awards the identical MBBS.
Can international students apply to KCL Medicine?
Yes, with equivalent academics (A*AA including A in Chemistry and Biology), English proficiency (typically IELTS 7.0 overall, no section below 6.5) and a competitive UCAT. Competition is intense — around 4% acceptance, with ~25–30 places from 800–1,000+ applications. International applicants apply in October only, generally cannot defer, and international fees were £35,800/year (2024/25).
What is KCL Graduate Entry Medicine (A102)?
A 4-year accelerated MBBS for graduates. Bioscience graduates need a 2:1 in a biosciences subject with Biology and Chemistry content; all other graduates need a 2:1 AND AA at A-level in Biology and Chemistry. All must meet the GCSE requirements and sit the UCAT. Apply separately from A100 if eligible for both.
Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team. Verified against official King’s College London admissions guidance and the Medical Schools Council for 2026/2027 entry. Requirements and statistics are reviewed annually — always confirm the latest details on the official King’s College London website before applying.