King's College London, UK
During a recent visit to King’s College London, we had the opportunity to learn more about student life, academics, and current admissions trends. Rather than focusing on rankings and marketing materials, here are some practical observations that may help international students understand what studying at King’s is actually like.
A University at the Heart of London
King’s College London is one of the UK’s largest and most internationally diverse universities, with approximately 44,000 students representing around 190 countries. The university operates across several campuses throughout London, although many students associate King’s most strongly with its historic Strand Campus in central London.
Strand is home to five major faculties:
- Arts & Humanities
- Natural Sciences
- Engineering
- Business
- Law
The campus itself feels deeply integrated into the city. One unique feature is the university chapel, which remains an active part of campus life and can even host weddings.
King’s is also investing heavily in its facilities. The Bush House redevelopment project is expected to continue expanding student-focused academic and social spaces over the coming years.
What Classes Are Actually Like
Many students arrive expecting all university classes to resemble large lecture halls. While that is partially true, the reality changes significantly as students progress through their degrees.
In the first year, large lectures are common. Some mandatory modules can have around 200 students in attendance. However, class sizes typically decrease each year as students begin specializing.
By the final years of study, it is not unusual to find:
- Classes of 20 students
- Small-group discussions
- Advanced seminars with fewer than 10 students
- Occasionally classes with only 5 students
Alongside lectures, students participate in seminars, which are usually much smaller, often involving 10–20 students. These sessions require students to complete readings beforehand and actively discuss source materials, research questions, or case studies.
Assessment: More Than Final Exams
Assessment at King’s typically combines several different methods:
- Written examinations
- Essays
- Coursework
- Presentations
- Seminar participation
One interesting feature is the use of formative assessments. These are essentially practice evaluations designed to help students gauge their progress before final assessments. Many students compare them to mock exams.
Lectures are often recorded, allowing students to review material later, which can be particularly helpful for international students adjusting to university-level study.
Academic Pathways
King’s offers more flexibility than many students initially expect. In several subject areas, students begin with a broader first year before narrowing their focus later. This can provide opportunities to refine academic interests and, in some cases, switch pathways after gaining more experience with the subject.
Students may also find themselves studying across different campuses during their first year. As specialization increases, teaching often becomes concentrated on a single campus associated with the student’s faculty.
When applying to universities in London, remember that while London remains highly attractive to students from around the world, affordability is becoming an increasingly important factor in university decision-making.
Final Thoughts
What stood out most during our visit was the balance King’s tries to strike between scale and personalization. Students begin in a large, globally connected institution but often finish their degree in much smaller academic communities where discussions become increasingly specialized.
For international students considering London, King’s offers access to one of the world’s major cities while maintaining an academic structure that becomes more individualized as students progress through their studies.