King's College London - In Depth

Founded: 1829.

Structural features: Founding college of London University (together with University College).

Site: 3 main campuses: Strand, the founding site near Covent Garden (law, humanities, physical sciences, engineering); Waterloo, next to the South Bank Arts Centre (health & life sciences, education, management); Guy's at London Bridge (biomedical sciences, medicine, dentistry). Clinical teaching also at King's Denmark Hill (south London) and St Thomas's (opposite Houses of Parliament). Computer and library development at former Public Record Office, in the City.

How to get there: Good underground and bus services to all campuses. Strand Campus close to many underground/rail stations (Charing Cross, Embankment, Temple, Covent Garden, Waterloo) and bus routes; Waterloo and Guys are adjacent to Waterloo and London Bridge stations respectively.

Awarding body: London University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BDS, BEng, MEng, BMus, BPharm, BSc, MSci, LLB, MB BS, BSc with RGN.

Length of courses: 3 years; others 4-5 years.

Academic features: Unique course in ethics, philosophy, theology gives Associateship of King's College (AKC) an optional additional course for students in all disciplines. Links with Royal Academy of Music. Some science courses offer a year's placement industry.

Library & information services: Approaching 1 million volumes, plus a variety of electronic resources including 3500 electronic journal titles.

Specialist collections: Enk (classics); Burrows (modern Greek and Byzantine studies); Box (Old Testament); Liddell Hart (military studies); Ford (science); Adam Archive; Marsden (travel, history & philosophy). Annual expenditure on information provision, £129 per (FTE) student. Integrated library and IT services. 1400+ PC work places; access to computer network from some residences.

Study abroad: Formal exchange links with 60 universities and colleges in 13 European countries, others in USA, Canada, Australia, Asia; most open to all undergraduates.

Careers: Information, advice and placement service.

Student advice & services: Doctors, counsellors, psychotherapists, chaplains, student advisers.

Sporting facilities: 4 sports grounds, rifle range, fitness gym, swimming pool. Also all facilities of ULU (including swimming pool). King's rugby club one of 12 founder members of Rugby Union. Successful boat and sub-aqua clubs.

Accommodation: 100% of first years who apply by end of June are offered college accommodation. 3200 places available including intercollegiate halls: self-catering places at £73-£75 per week (£53 shared), catered places at £93 pw - some term time, most Sept-June or longer. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 1-2 years: £45-£120 pw (average around £80 excluding bills).

Term-time work: Many part-time (and vacation) jobs available including in College administration and SU. Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £7295 pa (£7960 for overseas students) recommended by college.

Financial help: Total available £636,000 government funds, 500 students helped; £61,500 own funds 30 students helped; some other school/course specific funds available. Awards £250-£2500. Special help to those with considerable financial difficulties, those with dependants, mature students and those not publicly funded. For help apply to Loans & Awards Office. Various scholarships available (see website www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/sreo/intsch for scholarship information).

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £10,267 pa (classroom), £12,839 (lab/studio), £23,877 (clinical).