Studying at King’s College Medical School (GEM)
Overview
King’s College London is home to the GKT School of Medical Education, formed in 1998 with the merging of the originally independent Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ schools of medicine. Teaching at these medical schools dates all the way back to 1173, with a great deal of history associated with studying of King’s with notable alumni including Joseph Lister and John Keats. The curriculum at King’s was been recently redesigned and takes an integrated approach, blending the basic medical sciences with clinical practice from early on.
As a graduate you will bypass the first stage of the standard 5-year medicine degree and join the second year directly. From this point you will follow the same programme as all our other medical students.
Both UCAT and previous academic performance are considered when scoring applicants for interview shortlisting. Therefore applicants with strong exam grades as well as a competitive UCAT score are ideal candidates for King’s College London.
Read our UCAT guide for more information on What is UCAT.
Key Points
- Graduate Entry
- UCAT
- Integrated Course
- London
FAQs
Candidates are required to have gained A*AA at A-Level, including the subjects Biology and Chemistry. It is important to note that KCL will not accept the following A Level subjects: General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives. Candidates taking the IB are required to score 6 in Higher Level Biology and Chemistry.
The teaching structure is varied at KCL. It includes face-to-face lectures and seminars and includes case-based learning and placements from the second year. During the first year, candidates are required to undertake more self-study (approximately 65%).
Yes, KCL have a scholarship and a bursary programme, which candidates need to apply for. For more information, you can visit their website.
Getting into Kings Medical School can be a highly competitive process. The admissions process typically involves several rounds of evaluations, including an application review, entrance exam, and interview. The school looks for candidates who have a strong academic background, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a genuine passion for medicine.
The exact difficulty level of getting into Kings Medical School can vary from year to year depending on the number of applicants and the quality of the applicant pool. However, it’s worth noting that Kings is one of the most highly regarded medical schools in the UK and consistently ranks highly in national and international league tables.
If you are considering applying to Kings Medical School, it’s important to do your research and ensure that you meet the entry requirements and have the necessary qualifications and experience. You should also take steps to prepare for the admissions process, including studying for the required entrance exams and practicing your interview skills.
“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. The doctors are all willing to help and also happy for you to come into hospitals on non-placement days to brush up or practice any clinical skills.
About the university
| Key Information | |
| Website | Website |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone number | 020 7836 5454 |
| Course Information | |
| Teaching style | Integrated The course is split into three phases: Phase I (year 1), Phase II (years 2+3) and Phase III (years 4+5). Phase I is largely lecture and seminar based with the amount of time spent at placement increasing with each phase. The graduate course bypasses phase I and joins other students directly into phase II. |
| Course length | 4 years |
| Courses offered | 3 courses offered: A100 Standard Entry - 5 years A101 Extended Medical Degree Programme - 6 years A102 Graduate Entry - 4 years |
| Graduate entry | Yes |
| Foundation or access | Yes |
| University Life | |
| Local area | London Teaching is based at King's College's Guy’s Campus, located around London Bridge. Being located in the very centre of London has its benefits and is an amazing opportunity to enjoy everything the capital has to offer. You will undertake placements at around south London as well as south east England, including Kent and Sussex. Placements outside of London offer a different and rich perspective on clinical learning, complementing the experiences gained in central London hospitals. |
| Social life | As well as all the benefits of studying and living in central London, students can also access all of the facilities and societies of King's College London as well as GKT-specific sports teams and societies. |
| Interview | |
| Interview style | MMI Online panel interview (two interviewers). |
| Interview dates | Dec-Mar |
| Admissions Tests | |
| UCAT | UCAT Required A-Level grades, personal statement and GCSEs are also considered when shortlisting candidates for interview. For 2021 entry, the average UCAT of interviewed graduate applicants was 3144. The average of successful candidates was 2980. |
| GAMSAT | N/A |
| Academic Requirements | |
| GCSE | GCSE There are no specific GCSE requirements. |
| A-level | A-Level There are no specific A/AS level requirements. |
| Scottish Advanced/Highers | N/A |
| IB | IB There are no specific IB requirements. |
| Bachelor's Degree (Gradutes Only) | 2:1 honours degree A minimum 2:1 (upper second class honours) undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) in a Biosciences subject with both Biology and Chemistry content. Bioscience degrees include: Biomedical Sciences Physiology Biochemistry Pharmacology Neuroscience Molecular Genetics Molecular Biology Pharmacy Please note this list is not exhaustive and we would encourage applicants with other Biomedical or Life Sciences degrees not listed to apply, if you feel your degree contains at least two thirds Bioscience content. We are unable to review transcripts for suitability prior to receiving an application. Please note that Nursing and Psychology degrees are not considered as Bioscience degrees. A straight Chemistry degree or Biology degree also would not meet the requirements for this programme. |
| Statistics | |
| Number of applicants per interview | no data available |
| Number of applicants per place | no data available |
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
26 August 2021
Hi, does the data for UCAS refer to local or international applicants?
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
7 September 2021
Our application statistics are usually referring to home applicants unless otherwise stated.
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
30 March 2022
Hello, I have a first class undergraduate degree in Human Biology and I am currently finishing my masters within neuro research, however my A-level grades are BBD (B in Biology, D in Chemistry). Is it still worth applying to KCL considering my A Level grades?
KR,
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
22 July 2022
Kings say they don’t look at GCSE or A-Level grades. A postgraduate qualification and first class BSc will put you in a good position provided you score well on the UCAT exam. Good luck 🙂
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
10 January 2024
I am currently on a dietetics bachelors degree. Is this considered a bio science?