King's College London's standard Medicine MBBS (A100, UCAS code A100) requires A*AA at A-level, including grade A in both Biology and Chemistry, alongside GCSE grade 6/B in English Language and Mathematics. All applicants must sit the UCAT, with no fixed cut-off score; King's uses a holistic approach combining UCAT, GCSEs, and contextual factors. No offers are made without an interview. With around 4,000 applications for roughly 300 A100 places each year, Medicine at KCL is one of the most competitive courses in the UK.
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A-Level Requirements
The standard A-level requirement for KCL Medicine (A100) is A*AA, including grade A in both Biology and Chemistry. A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, and Global Perspectives are not accepted as one of your A-levels. If you're taking linear A-levels in England, you must also pass the practical endorsement in all science subjects, with an exemption for private candidates unable to take the practical component. KCL does not consider the EPQ at any point in the assessment process.
International Baccalaureate
The IB requirement is 38 points overall, or an aggregate score of 19 from three Higher Level subjects, including grade 6 in Higher Level Biology and Higher Level Chemistry. The 38-point total includes TOK and EE.
Access to HE Diploma
KCL requires a 60-credit diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 at Merit. The diploma must include at least 15 Level 3 credits in Biology at Distinction and at least 15 Level 3 credits in Chemistry at Distinction, must be specifically in Medicine or Dentistry, and must be studied through a QAA-accredited provider listed on the official Access to HE course search.
GCSE Requirements
Grade 6/B is required in both GCSE English Language and Mathematics. Functional Skills, and Numeracy/Literacy modules studied within an Access to HE diploma, are not accepted to meet this requirement.
Does KCL Offer Contextual Admissions for Medicine?
No, not for standard A100. This is an important distinction from many other competitive courses: King's explicitly does not make contextual offers, meaning reduced grade requirements, for the standard five-year Medicine programme. Applicants who are eligible for contextualised admissions consideration should instead look at the Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP, A101), a six-year route specifically designed for students from non-selective state schools, with a lower ABB grade requirement and a more graduated first stage of teaching.
The UCAT
All applicants must sit the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) in the same year they apply; King's does not accept the BMAT as an alternative. There's no fixed UCAT cut-off score in any given year. Instead, King's uses a holistic approach, averaging your score across all four subtests and considering it alongside GCSEs and contextual factors. The overall average score is weighted more heavily than individual subtest scores, and the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is also taken into account at shortlisting.
Note that the UCAT format changed in July 2025 with the removal of Abstract Reasoning, reducing the maximum possible score from 3,600 to 2,700. Historical average scores quoted from before this change don't translate directly to the current format, so treat older benchmark figures with caution.
How Competitive Is KCL Medicine?
Applications for King's undergraduate medical programmes run to around 5,500 each year, for roughly 410 places across all medicine routes combined. Around 4,000 of these are specifically for A100, with approximately 300 places available. Across all medicine programmes, 1,200 to 1,400 applicants are selected for interview.
This makes standard Medicine at KCL one of the most competitive undergraduate courses in the UK, both in the academic bar and the volume of strong applicants chasing limited places.
Shortlisting and the Interview
Shortlisting for interview considers GCSE performance, predicted or achieved A-level grades, your personal statement, your reference, and your UCAT score together, assessed holistically in the context of your educational background. Exam results and UCAT score are generally treated as the most heavily weighted factors, since King's considers them the fairest and most consistent way to compare applicants.
No offers are made without an interview. Interviews run from November to May, and King's operates a "fit-to-sit" policy, meaning mitigating circumstances affecting interview performance on the day cannot be taken into account afterwards; any issues should be raised with the Admissions team at the time. Interviewers assess communication skills, general social and ethical issues (usually health-related), and your overall suitability for the programme and the medical profession.
Personal Statement and Work Experience
Your personal statement should demonstrate genuine commitment to, and realistic appreciation of, the demands of a medical career. King's normally expects some work experience in a caring environment or clinical observation. If that isn't possible, evidence of working in a public-facing role, such as a pharmacy, retail, or hospitality, is also valued.
Communication skills, teamwork, and broader contribution to school or community life all factor into the holistic assessment alongside academic ability.
Resits, Deferrals, and Other Requirements
King's will consider applicants who have retaken qualifications, though those achieving required grades within a standard two-year A-level timeframe may be viewed more favourably. Second resits are only considered with significant mitigating circumstances, supported by a Mitigating Circumstances form.
You must turn 18 before commencing the second year of the degree. Occupational health clearance and an enhanced DBS check are compulsory for all successful applicants. Deferral requests are assessed case-by-case and aren't guaranteed; overseas fee-paying applicants generally cannot defer, with an exception for military or national service.
A maximum of four UCAS choices can go toward medicine-leading qualifications, but you may add one non-health alternative (Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, Neuroscience) without affecting how your medicine commitment is assessed.
A100 vs A101 (EMDP): Which Route Is Right for You?
| Factor | A100 (Standard) | A101 (EMDP) |
| Length | 5 years | 6 years (7 with iBSc) |
| A-level requirement | A*AA, A in Biology and Chemistry | ABB, A in Biology or Chemistry |
| Contextual offers | Not available | Built into the eligibility criteria |
| Eligibility | Open to all qualifying applicants | Non-selective state education since age 11, no previous degree, Home fee status only |
| International students | Eligible | Not eligible |
For full EMDP eligibility detail, see the King's College London EMDP entry requirements guide.
Planning Your Application
If you're serious about applying to KCL Medicine, attending an open day is one of the most useful steps you can take before submitting your UCAS application. Speaking directly with current medical students about workload, clinical placements, and life across the Guy's, King's, and St Thomas' teaching hospitals gives you a far clearer picture than the prospectus alone. See the King's College London open days 2026 guide for confirmed dates.
Medicine students at KCL train across multiple sites throughout their degree, particularly Guy's and St Thomas', so accommodation location matters more here than for most courses. For a full breakdown of costs and areas near each clinical campus, see the complete guide to King's College London accommodation.
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FAQs: King's College London Medicine Entry Requirements
What A-level grades do I need for KCL Medicine?
The standard requirement is A*AA, including grade A in both Biology and Chemistry. A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, and Global Perspectives are not accepted.
Does KCL offer contextual admissions for Medicine?
No, not for the standard A100 programme. Eligible widening-participation applicants should instead apply to the Extended Medical Degree Programme (A101), which has a lower ABB grade requirement built around contextual eligibility.
Is there a UCAT cut-off score for KCL Medicine?
No. King's does not use a fixed UCAT threshold. Instead, your overall UCAT score is considered holistically alongside GCSEs and contextual factors, with the average across all subtests weighted more than individual subtest scores.
How many places are available on KCL Medicine A100?
Approximately 300 places are available on A100 each year, against around 4,000 applications specifically for this programme.
Is an interview required for KCL Medicine?
Yes. No offers are made without an interview, held between November and May. King's operates a fit-to-sit policy, so interview-day mitigating circumstances cannot be considered after the fact.
What's the difference between A100 and EMDP (A101)?
A100 is the standard five-year programme requiring A*AA, open to all qualifying applicants including international students. A101 (EMDP) is a six-year widening-access route requiring ABB, available only to Home fee status applicants who meet specific non-selective state education criteria.
Do I need work experience to apply for KCL Medicine?
King's normally expects work experience in a caring or clinical environment. If this isn't possible, evidence of experience in a public-facing role, such as retail or hospitality, is also considered valuable.
Final Verdict
KCL Medicine A100 sits among the most competitive undergraduate courses in the UK, with a demanding A*AA grade requirement and roughly thirteen applicants for every available place. Success depends on getting the full combination right: strong grades, a competitive UCAT performance, genuine evidence of commitment through work experience, and a confident, well-prepared interview. If your background means standard entry requirements don't reflect your full potential, the EMDP route is worth serious consideration as a parallel, equally rigorous path to the same MBBS qualification.