King’s College London Medical School Review: Entry Requirements, Student Life & Tips for Canadians
🎓 Introduction
For Canadian students looking at UK medical schools, King’s College London is a name that keeps coming up — and for good reason. It’s a top-tier medical school based in central London, with a reputation for strong clinical placements, world-class hospitals, and a vibrant international student community.
📚 From Books to Bedsides
The MBBS course at King’s takes you from theory to practice in five structured years:
🧪 Years 1–2: Core science, early patient contact, and problem-based learning
🏥 Year 3: Hands-on clinical work begins in hospitals across London
🎓 Year 4: Intercalated BSc to deepen your specialty knowledge
👨⚕️ Year 5: Real-world clinical experience and prep for your first doctor role
With access to some of the busiest hospitals in the UK, you’ll graduate with serious experience under your belt.
👑 A Globally Respected Medical School
When it comes to prestige, King’s is hard to beat.
Ranked Top 10 in the UK for medicine
QS World Rankings place it in the Top 25 globally for Clinical and Health
Partnerships with major London hospitals ensure world-class clinical training
The King’s name carries serious weight, whether you’re applying to residency programs abroad or looking to stand out in research and academia.
📊 The Numbers That Matter
King’s is one of the most UCAT-heavy schools in the UK. If your score isn’t competitive, it’s a tough cut.
UCAT: Aim for at least 2600–2700, with Band 1 or 2 in SJT
A-Levels: A*AA (Chemistry + Biology required)
Canadian Equivalents: High 80s to low 90s in Grade 12 academic subjects — particularly Chem & Bio
🔑 Tip: Interviews are only offered based on UCAT score. No personal statement weighting, no extracurricular padding — it’s all about that test.
🗣️ What Students Say
“I’ll be honest and say I did not like the way first year was timetabled and structured… three big modules… Foundations of Medical Science, Physiology and Anatomy and Genes, Behaviour and Environment”
– First‑year med student at King’s
“The best thing about the medical school is the teaching. Hospital teaching and lecture‑based teaching at KCL is very good and to a very high standard... doctors are all willing to help and happy for you to come into hospitals on non‑placement days to brush up or practice any clinical skills.”
– Review on 6med
🧕 Student Societies & Support Networks
King’s has a wide range of societies for students to connect with their backgrounds, beliefs, and interests. Some standout groups include:
KCL Islamic Society – One of the most active ISOCs in the UK, offering daily prayers, Jummah, charity drives, and brothers/sisters circles
KCL Afro-Caribbean Society – Supporting Black students through events, socials, and cultural education
KCL Pakistan Society – Great for South Asian cultural events, networking, and food-based socials
King’s Canadian Society – Occasionally active and perfect for finding fellow Canadians
Medical Student Association (MSA) – Organizes revision lectures, mock OSCEs, and medics-only events
Whether you’re looking for a prayer room between lectures or a social to meet others from back home, King’s has a place for you.
🚇 Living the London Life
Yes, London is huge and expensive — but it’s also one of the best places to be a student.
Your placements happen all over the city, giving you a taste of different boroughs
You’ll be near iconic landmarks — London Bridge, Waterloo, Southbank
The Tube is your best friend, and student Oyster cards help with costs
Food, culture, nightlife? London delivers in every category
Most importantly, you’ll meet people from all over the world. It’s busy — but that’s part of the adventure.
🇨🇦 Canadian Applicant Tip
Want to stand out? King’s looks at your UCAT first — and nothing else when offering interviews. That means no bonus points for volunteering or your glowing reference letters. Just a great UCAT score and strong high school marks in Biology, Chemistry, and one other academic subject. The deadline? October 15 via UCAS.
✅ Is King’s Right for You?
Pros:
One of the best-connected medical schools in the UK
Heavy clinical exposure by Year 3
Internationally recognized name — great for residency prospects
Built-in research year through the BSc
Cons:
Competitive UCAT cutoffs
Expensive city with limited housing near campus
Large student body means less of a “close-knit” feel
🧭 Final Thoughts
This school is no joke. King’s is tough to get into and tougher once you’re in — but the payoff is big. London placements, a solid BSc year, and international name recognition make it a great choice if you’re serious about medicine. UCAT is key, so prep hard.
– Malik Ulch
