King's College London Speciality : English Language & Literature
programme: BA (hons) English

Because I got into King’s, I moved all the way from my small town in rural America to London after only one visit to Europe beforehand. I saved a ton on college (I previously did a year at a private institution in America with little name recognition and paid ten grand more than I did on King’s tuition) and I’m having an unforgettable experience. Beyond a deep and engaging English program, King’s has offered beautiful facilities to study in and a wealth of societies which I have been able to get involved in. Though I’ve had some issues with the institution itself—namely, underpaying its staff, resulting in strikes that tore through my entire first year without any sort of recompense from the school—my overall memories from King’s have been positive. I recommend to anyone—especially Americans—who want to hone in on one particular study without all those general credits to get through and like learning at their own pace. Beware of not getting into classes that you want, however.

As an English Major at King’s College London, I’ve had the privilege of learning under supportive and knowledgeable lecturers. However, I’ve also encountered some significant gaps in the educational experience, particularly in the lead-up to exams and coursework. The university doesn’t always provide adequate preparation or feedback, leading to a sense of being thrown into assessments blindly.

One of the standout positives of my experience at King’s College London has been the support from lecturers. They’re approachable, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in helping students succeed. This creates a positive learning environment that fosters intellectual growth and confidence.

However, one area where the university could improve is in the preparation for exams and coursework. There often seems to be a lack of structured guidance leading up to assessments, which can be particularly daunting for students who are new to the university or the subject matter. More guidance and feedback in the form of workshops, practice assessments, or individualized feedback sessions would be greatly beneficial.

Another area for improvement is the seminar format. While seminars can be an invaluable opportunity for discussion and debate, I’ve found that some leaders are too quick to agree with everything said. This can stifle genuine debate and critical thinking. A more balanced approach that encourages respectful disagreement and challenges students to think critically would be more conducive to intellectual growth.