Research is core to King’s, what we do, what we care about and how we educate.  

It is how we channel our creativity to further knowledge and understanding, challenge convention and deliver impact.

Our vision is to deliver research to inform and innovate. By providing the best environment, support and networks for our community – from postgraduate research students to senior academics – we strive to deliver world-leading research that is informed by and responds to the needs of society.

King’s scale and range of research have been steadily increasing. Our new research awards grew by 40% from between 2015–6 to 2020–21, reaching new high of £292 million in 2021–22.

Through proactive investment, we have strengthened our support for researcher development and research leadership, created state-of-the art facilities and enhanced our technical and professional support.

The 2022 REF confirmed King’s place as one of the UK's top research universities

• 6th in the UK for research power
• 3rd among UK multidisciplinary institutions for impact
• 6th in the UK for world-leading (4*) research
• 55% of research submitted rated 4*– up from 40% in 2014

King’s is ranked 35th in the world and 6th in the UK by the Times Higher Education World Rankings (2023).

• King’s holds a European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award, reflecting our sustained commitment to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.
• King’s has held a Silver Athena Swan award since 2021 and a Bronze Athena SWAN award since 2016, highlighting our commitment to advancing gender equality.
• Across our nine faculties we hold 20 Silver and Bronze Athena Swan awards.