King's College London medicine interview and selection guide
King's ranks five-year MBBS applicants on UCAT, GCSEs and widening participation indicators, then reviews the highest ranked against its full entry requirements before inviting them to a remote interview. It received about 2,960 applications for 347 places in its most recent cycle and interviewed about 1,200. This guide covers each stage, what the interview assesses and the requirements.
Facts checked against King's official pages on .
Independent service: Key2MD is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to King's College London. Everything below is general guidance drawn from publicly available information, may change between cycles, and is not official advice. Always confirm current requirements, fees and program details on King's official pages.
Read facts and coaching advice separately. Facts on this page are taken from King's published pages and linked in the sources list. Preparation advice is Dan's independent guidance. This page does not reproduce confidential interview questions, and your invitation from King's College London takes precedence over anything here.
On this page
Published selection and interview guidance
-
Initial ranking
UCAT overall score, GCSE grades and widening participation indicators.
- King's applied no minimum UCAT threshold in its most recent cycle. Subtest scores are not considered separately, and the SJT is not used for shortlisting.
- The UCAT score needed for interview varies with the strength of each year's applicants.
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Full review
The highest-ranked applicants are assessed against all entry requirements.
- This covers GCSEs, predicted or achieved A-levels (or equivalent), the personal statement and the academic reference.
- King's looks in the personal statement for commitment to, and a realistic appreciation of, the academic, physical and emotional demands of medicine, normally including work experience in a caring environment or observation in a healthcare setting.
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Interview and decision
Remote interviews, usually December to April. Final decisions by the end of May.
- No offers are made without an interview. Invitations go out on a rolling basis from December.
- Interviewers have no prior knowledge of you and use standardised criteria. King's operates a fit-to-sit policy: mitigating circumstances are not taken into account in interview scores.
- Applicants should not expect a decision until the cycle closes in May.
- Pathway covered
- Five-year MBBS (A100); the Extended Medical Degree Programme (A101) and Graduate/Professional Entry (A102) are separate
- Entry cycle / source status
- 2027 entry
- Published format
- Remote interview; format details are sent through the King's Apply portal to those invited
- Initial ranking
- UCAT overall score, GCSE grades and widening participation indicators; no minimum UCAT threshold; SJT not used
- Then
- Highest-ranked applicants assessed on GCSEs, predicted or achieved A-levels, personal statement and reference
Official sources: King's College London: Medicine MBBS requirements; King's College London: Medicine MBBS.
Selection facts checked: . This check covers the pathway and interview summary above. Fees, eligibility exceptions and course details must be checked separately. Your university invitation takes precedence for your assessment.
What the interview assesses
| Communication skills | How clearly and appropriately you express yourself. |
|---|---|
| Ethical reasoning | How you work through difficult situations and weigh competing considerations. |
| Understanding of healthcare issues | Current and relevant issues in health care. |
| Motivation for medicine | Why you want to study medicine. |
| Overall suitability | For the programme and the medical profession. |
King's sends details of the format and process through its King's Apply portal to those invited. If something happens during the interview that you think affected your performance, tell the admissions team as soon as possible.
Published by King's
- The ranking factors and that no UCAT threshold was applied
- Interview delivery (remote) and timing
- The attributes assessed
- Applications, places and interview numbers
Not published
- Interview structure (shared only with invitees)
- The UCAT score that earned an interview
- How ranking factors are weighted
Entry requirements
| A-levels | A*AA including A in Biology and Chemistry. General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted. Science practical endorsements must be passed. The EPQ is not considered. |
|---|---|
| IB | 38 points overall (including TOK and EE) or 19 from three Higher Level subjects. |
| GCSE | Grade 6 (B) in English Language and Maths. Functional Skills and Access numeracy or literacy modules do not count. |
| Access to HE | A 60-credit Access to HE Diploma in Medicine or Dentistry with 39 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 6 at Merit, including at least 15 Distinction credits in each of Biology and Chemistry. |
| UCAT | Required in the year you apply. |
| Contextual offers | King's does not make contextual offers for A100. Eligible applicants are pointed to the Extended Medical Degree Programme (A101). |
| Resits | Considered, but resit applicants compete against those who met the grades in the standard time. Second resits only with significant mitigating circumstances. |
| Graduates | Graduates eligible for both A100 and the four-year Graduate/Professional Entry Programme (A102) must apply to both to be considered for both. |
Dan's preparation advice for King's
The following is independent coaching advice, not King's rubric.
- Prepare for each listed attribute. Have a clear answer for motivation, an example showing communication, a structured approach to ethical problems, and two or three current healthcare issues you can discuss with balance.
- Know a current issue properly. King's names understanding of current healthcare issues. Pick topics you can explain from more than one side, not just headlines.
- Expect a remote format. Set up a quiet, well-lit space and practise speaking to a camera.
- Be patient. Decisions may not come until May, even after an early interview.
Fees and funding
| Home students | The government maximum tuition fee in England is £10,050 for 2027/28 (for universities with a TEF award and access plan). Check King's course page for its fee. |
|---|---|
| Course length | Five years, or six with an optional intercalated degree. |
Frequently asked questions
How does King's select for medicine interviews?
Applications are ranked on UCAT overall score, GCSE grades and widening participation indicators. The highest ranked are then assessed on all entry requirements, including the personal statement and reference.
What UCAT do I need for King's?
King's applied no minimum UCAT threshold in its most recent cycle. The score needed varies with each year's applicants, and the SJT is not used for shortlisting.
Is the King's medicine interview online?
Yes. Interviews in the current admissions cycle are conducted remotely, usually between December and April.
What does the King's interview assess?
Communication skills, ethical reasoning, understanding of current healthcare issues, motivation for medicine and overall suitability for the profession.
How competitive is King's medicine?
In the most recent cycle it received about 2,960 applications for 347 A100 places and interviewed about 1,200 applicants.
What A-levels do I need for King's medicine?
A*AA including A in Biology and Chemistry. King's does not make contextual offers for A100.
When will I hear from King's after interview?
King's aims to notify all applicants of final decisions by the end of May.
How Key2MD fits
Key2MD is independent practice for the skills an interview rewards, not a copy of King's interview.
- 255 MMI stations and 100 CASPer scenarios across ethics, teamwork, communication, professionalism and current health topics.
- Ethics and current-issues stations for the attributes King's names.
- On-camera practice for King's remote interviews.
- Feedback on six criteria, including communication, reasoning and empathy, with your progress tracked over time. Your first AI-marked review is free.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the sources below, checked on .
- King's College London: Medicine MBBS requirements: ranking, UCAT use, interview, numbers, requirements
- King's College London: Medicine MBBS: course details
- GOV.UK: tuition fee changes: 2027/28 maximum fee in England
Practise interview answers for King's
Key2MD offers independent practice and feedback. Its stations and scores do not reproduce King's interview, questions or selection rubric.
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