King's College London (reviews)

Good university. Fantastic improv team from what I’ve heard. Just some really funny guys doing some classic improv in the Running-a-mock comedy society. Apparently they’re expanding to sketch and stand up too! Yowza!

I have loved studying at King’s so far. I have great flexibility within my course to explore not just a range of modules within my degree but others throughout the department. The student union holds fun and affordable must-go student nights and Bush House has quickly become my second home with its study spaces and bar/restaurant. Like any uni, you have to be self motivating and independent in your studies but the relationship you develop with your peers, module convenors and tutor makes sure you have all the extra support you need! The only downside is the lack of your « classic uni experience », similar to any London uni since there is not a singular campus; but you can’t beat living in the city!

The amazing parts of this university is its teaching staff and the quality of student support that is available. In addition it is also located in an amazing area of London. Students at king’s are in the heart of central London, and as a result have access to many amazing opportunities. However, prospective students should be aware the the campus is ver hard to navigate, and there are not very many common spaces for socializing so there isn’t a very strong communal feeling.

King’s College London is a great university for people willing to explore a new culture, country and one of the most amazing capitals in the world. In my opinion there is a lot of self teaching (or reading) compared to other universities in the world. However, this is good preparation and training for later in life.

The university itself is very unorganised and also difficult to navigate but the course content can be really interesting! Some lecturers can come across lacklustre and a bit monotone but there are gems among them that really capture your attention and are intellectually stimulating. I also really enjoy the literature that we read.

What is great about this university is the exposure to brilliant academics and many career opportunities. The administration is very invested in helping its students excel professionally. I would definitely recommend King’s College London!

Advanced in research, great facilities, good teaching level. Too bureaucratic and lack of connectivity between administration and students. Good university life experience. Overall pleasant to study here.

Kings is a great university, located in a dynamic area of a global city. Students are welcomed in a safe and multicultural environment where teachers are there to accompany them and help them through their studies as well as personal lifes.

My first few days at King’s College London left me a bit unsure as to whether or not it would be the place for me. Initially the campus in the heart of Central London can be quite overwhelming. The daunting task of navigating the multiple buildings with sub-sections, side wings, and basement levels was not easy to wrap my head around; however, as the days progressed, I began to see the things that make this university great. Some people may prioritise the layout of a campus or the quality of the school food services, and if that is the case then perhaps this is not the University for you. However, the things that stand out about this university are so much bigger than the quality of sandwiches that can be found in the cafes. I believe that King’s is unique for many reasons. Since my enrollment I have not met a single faculty member or professor who does not love their job and care about their students and their success later on. Every professor that I have met at kings is very qualified and intelligent. Whether they are an expert in their field and the head of the department, or simply a PHD student taking their first step towards teaching, it is obvious that they are giving energy and attention to every aspect of their classes. Not only do they try to engage with the students in a classroom setting, but they are also extremely dedicated to one on one assistance and interaction. I have had the opportunity to get to know most of my teachers on a first name basis, and by fostering the teacher student connection through small class sizes and open-door policies, the school is giving their students so many amazing resources for support and learning. In addition to the amazing faculty, I have enjoyed the multitudes of opportunities that the student union offers. A student at king’s has the ability to be as involved as they want with student life and extracurriculars, and almost every interest is supported by one of the societies available. However, I also feel as though the most valuable moments of interaction I have had with other students at King’s have been little conversations in the café or the student bars, or on the terrace by the river. Both current and entering students have created a very accepting and friendly atmosphere, especially for international students such as myself who have the added challenge of moving abroad and encountering a new culture on top of the unfamiliar faces. Ultimately, I think that what makes King’s College London great is the people, and their dedication to creating an experience for every student that they will enjoy throughout their program and that will help them succeed and challenge them to achieve their future career goals. That being said, if there is any one aspect of the school that a prospective student should become familiar with during the process of application and decision making, it is the Maughan Library. Many Universities talk about their libraries as points of pride; however, I have never visited one that can rival the beauty and resources found in the Maughan. The round room and beautiful castle-like façade is beyond compare, and there is such an extensive amount of study space that one can find themselves lost in the multitudes of little rooms and towers. For those that are considering King’s and think of themselves as a lover of literature who enjoys the smell of old books and the camaraderie of library study spaces, I highly recommend this University.

I like this university and enjoy my course (dentistry). The majority of the professors are brilliant and know a lot about their fields so are willing and able to answer questions. I am only in first year but there are a few things I’ll highlight if you’re considering going here:

We had two formative (mock) theory exams in the academic year and two sets of summative (real) theory exams (one exam in January which counts for 15% of the year and two exams in May which count for the rest). It’s possible to retake first year exams (unsure about future ones).
We also have a tooth morphology, a tooth waxing and a clinical skills exam which can also be retaken. The clinical skills exam must be passed before one can enter clinics.

The administration is not the best – there were several timetable errors and cancelled lectures (most of which are emailed about on the day of the class).

There is good pastoral support depending on which tutor you are assigned but you can always contact the head of pastoral care who is very helpful!

Apart from lectures (which are usually about fifty minutes long) we have lab experiments, histology sessions, prosections and clinical sessions where we gain some experience being around patients and do dental nursing. I find the clinical sessions very valuable even in first year. I also think the prosections are useful as they can help you gain a deeper understanding of anatomy but this is not something offered by all universities so it is worth having a think about whether that is something you are comfortable with.

The first year is mainly theoretical so lectures are the main focus – histology and lab sessions tend not to happen more than once a week and there are only about five prosection sessions in the year (although you can go to weekly revision sessions if you want to). Clinical sessions are one morning a week for the second term of first year.

The atmosphere is also very safe and friendly and there are lots of events planned by the university and student reps. There is a fair amount of work that should be done outside of lectures but this is mostly independent so it is important that you are able to work consistently throughout the year otherwise you will struggle around exam season! It is definitely possible to maintain a good study/life balance (except for during exam season but that is a given anyway). There are a couple of group projects, write-ups and also some question sheets that do need to be turned in but no essays (again – this is just from first year).

Overall I would recommend this university and the course! I have enjoyed it, I just thought it would be worth pointing out a few things which I was not expecting/was unsure about. Good luck!