King's College London, UK - Dedicated To The Advancement Of Knowledge and Learning

King's college London, UK was established in 1828-9 by a number of prestigious political figures, churchmen and others. King's was provided a elegant rental by king George IV on 14 Aug 1829.

King's college London has many popular former learners and team associates, such as Rosalind Franklin and john Keats.

King's college London has obtained the eastern side of Somerset home.

King's college London (KCL) is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, learning & understanding in the service of society.

Founded: 1829.

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

Location: 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.

Getting 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, MBBS, 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 & IT facilities: 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); Fort (science); Adam Archive; Marsden (travel, history & philosophy). Annual expenditure on information provision, £129 per (FTE) student. Integrated library and IT services. 1400+ PC workplaces; 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 & Jobs: 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 University of  London Union (ULU). 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).

Accommodation: Halls - varied, all over London, some expensive. Excellent college-run head-leasing scheme.

Eating: SU has original and varied menu at Roof Top Cafe and Waterfront deli; also college outlet. Restaurants everywhere.

Drinking: SU runs The Waterfront and Tutu's at the Strand and bars at Guy's and St Thomas'; promotional nights and real ale seasons; cheaper than pubs.

Nightlife: SU disco night on Fridays, Indie night on Saturdays. Lots of new bands.

Sports: College sports ground at Berrylands, gym on South Bank. Also good indoor sports facilities at the ULU.

Travel: Extensive exchange programme, scholarships, STA travel shop at the Strand.

Financial help: Access funds; Principal's Fund and the Overseas Students' Fund.

Jobs: SU casual work (bars, catering, shop and ents); lots of bar jobs (about £4.10/hour); many opportunities in Covent Garden area. About 10% find term work; some in holidays - being in London means there are lots of opportunities but an expensive place to spend time.

Informal name: KCL or King's.

More info: Enquiries to SU President, Tel 020 7836 7132, email: president(at)kclsu.org.

Past students: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Chapman Pincher, Lord Edmund-Davies, Susan Hill. Angela Rumbold, Arthur C Clarke, Pat Reid, John McGregor, Ivison Macadam (founder NUS), Rory Bremner, Archbishop Carey.

Take a Look on London School of Economics - Betterment of Society