This section is aimed at supporting you with guiding your students before, during and after the UCAS application. This content has been designed to help you support and prepare your students to make informed decisions about higher education and has been split through the different stages of the application cycle. 

This section breaks down some of the key information and advice which your students may benefit from when making their decision on higher education and before making their application.

Choosing a course

When considering their course choices, your students may find the list of courses available to them overwhelming. However, when making their choice, there are a few things that they can keep in mind which can help them make this decision. You can encourage your students to: 

• Explore their interests and discover what they would like to learn more about.
• Explore future career pathways and how their course can support them with reaching their goals
• Visit universities to speak with students and academic staff to learn more about the course.
• Research the course to have a better understanding of the modules and assessment methods.

It is important to encourage your students to start their research early as this allows them enough time and opportunity to explore their interests and consider future options before the application cycle begins.

Explore our video section below to find out more about supporting your students with choosing a course.

Understanding the entry requirements is an important part of the university application process which helps your students understand the qualifications and grades needed, enabling them to make realistic and informed choices. Your students can find guidance on interpreting by visiting the King's entry requirements webpage. 

Admission tests

These are assessments used by universities to evaluate if an applicant has the knowledge or skills required for a particular course and forms part of the entry requirements. These tests will ideally be taken before the application is submitted, and your students may need to register for and complete these tests before receiving a decision on their application. Find out more about the required admissions tests required by some of our courses by visiting our entry requirements webpage. 

Funding your studies

Planning how to fund university remains a significant consideration for students but understanding the support available can help your students plan with confidence. You can find detailed information by visiting our dedicated funding page webpage which breaks down our tuition fees, student finance loans, scholarships and bursaries available to your students.

Contextual offers

Some of your students may be eligible for a contextual offer if their educational or personal circumstances have affected their opportunities or academic achievement. Contextual admissions allow universities to consider an applicant's achievements within the context of their experiences. Understanding how this process works is vital for supporting students who may require this, and you can find more detailed information by visiting our contextualised admissions webpage. 

This section provides key support that your students will need during the UCAS application cycle which includes:

Writing a personal statement

This is one of the most important parts of the application as it is an opportunity for your students to demonstrate why they have chosen a course, how their studies will help them on the course and what they have done outside of traditional learning to prepare for university. Watch the short video below which explains in more detail.

Interview preparation

Before receiving a decision on their application, your students may be asked to attend an interview to assess their suitability for the course and King’s. The following King’s courses require an interview before a decision is made on the application:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Nursing (Children’s, Adult and Mental Health)
• Midwifery
• Physiotherapy
• Pharmacy

You can find interview guidance for our Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy (MPharm) and Physiotherapy courses under the ‘Entry requirements’ section of the course pages. For our Nursing and Midwifery courses, you can find application and interview guidance on our Nursing webpage. 

Writing effective references

 A teacher’s reference is an integral part of the application which provides universities with additional information and context regarding the applicant. This is an opportunity to share details of the students' qualifications including predicted grades, suitability for the chosen course and academic ability, policies used by your school/college for predicting grades, and any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted a student whilst they were studying.

UCAS Application Timeline 

• September - UCAS applications open for submission and university open days 
• October - University deadline for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary science or applying to Oxford or Cambridge 
• November - May - Key decisions and Interview invites sent to early applicants, UCAS equal consideration deadline in January 
• May/June - Offer holder events, Accommodation bookings open
• July - UCAT tests open for Medicine and Dental students
• August - Results day! Clearing and confirmation
• September - University begins

Key dates and deadlines for 2027 entry

• May 12th, 2026: UCAS Hub for 2027 applicants open.
• May 20th, 2026: UCAT registration opens
• August 1st, 2026: LNAT registration opens
• September 1st, 2026: Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS.
• October 15th, 2026: Deadline for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary medicine/science applications as well as applications to Oxford and Cambridge.
• January 13th, 2027: UCAS equal consideration deadline
• July 2nd, 2027: Early clearing opens
• August 12th, 2027: A-levels results day

You can find detailed key UCAS application dates and deadlines on the UCAS website. Additionally, on the following webpages you can find detailed dates and deadlines for UCAT and the LNAT.

This section breaks down what happens after the application has been submitted and the support your students would require during this time.

Understanding King’s offers

There are different decisions that can be made by King’s once an application has been reviewed. In the video below, we break down the different types of offers, what they mean, and how you can support your students with navigating their next steps and responding to their offers.

Offer holder days

These events provide your students with an additional opportunity to visit the university before making their final choices. To find out more about upcoming offer holder events visit our offer holder webpage.

Results day

This is the day your students will receive their exam results which confirms if they have achieved their required grades at King’s. On results day, your students may:

• Secure their place at their firm-choice university by meeting their offer conditions.
• Be accepted by their insurance choice if they were unable to meet the conditions of their firm choice but met these conditions.
• Explore alternative options such as Clearing for students who do not hold a confirmed place, have changed their mind about going to university or decide to change their course or university.

The video breaks down clearing and confirmation and offers guidance on how to support your students on results day.

Transition to university

We understand that starting at university is an exciting time for your students but also poses its own unique challenges. You can find guidance for your students on what to expect before they start at King’s and what to expect in their first year. 

Supporting international students? Visit our webpage to find specific guidance on supporting your students with settling into London life. 

Visa guidance

 If you are supporting international students and need support with navigating visa applications, how to get a student visa or anything else, you can visit our dedicated visa guidance webpage for more information.

Need further support? If you have any questions about supporting your students or would like to discuss engagement opportunities with King’s, please contact the UK Student Recruitment Team at schools.liaison@kcl.ac.uk.