How to Apply to Psychology at King’s College London: Psychology BSc A-Level/IB/AP Requirements, Chinese and Canadian High School Students, Transfers and Timeline

At King’s College London (KCL), psychology is the Psychology BSc, taught by the Department of Psychology in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at the Guy’s and Denmark Hill campuses. The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on King’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students at international schools), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and students hoping to transfer.

1. The course

• Length: three years full-time, or four with an optional year abroad or professional placement year. UCAS codes: C800 (three years), C801 (with year abroad), C802 (with professional placement year).
• Features: a research methods strand runs throughout to prepare students for their own research; partnerships with the South London & Maudsley (SLaM) allow placements and voluntary work; every student has a personal tutor.
• Related courses: Neuroscience and Psychology BSc and Psychology and Criminology BSc, both three years with optional year abroad or placement year.

2. Entry requirements

• A-Level: A*AA. Offers are based on three A-Levels; with four or more, the highest three count. Most courses do not consider AS-levels.
• IB: King’s equivalence table maps A*AA to 38 points overall or 19 from three Higher Levels (the total includes TOK and the Extended Essay).
• AP: at A*AA there are two routes:
  • 55554 in five APs;
  • or three APs at 5 plus the SAT at 1380 (at least 620 in Maths and 650 in Reading and Writing) or the ACT at 29.
  SAT and ACT superscores are not considered.
• What King’s considers: the course page’s Entry requirements section lists requirements by country, selection procedures and other requirements, so check it carefully before applying.

3. Students at high schools in China

• International school students: apply with A-Levels, the IB or APs as above.
• Chinese high school and Gaokao students: King’s general entry requirements page says country-specific requirements are in the International applicants section of each course page. Select China there to see them. If your country or qualification is not listed, contact King’s Advisors.
• International Foundation: King’s offers a one-year International Foundation Programme, applied for directly, for international students whose qualifications do not give direct entry. King’s states that passing the programme with B+ in the English module meets the undergraduate English requirement.

4. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• Province-specific requirements are likewise in the course page’s International applicants section, so select Canada on the course page or ask King’s Advisors before applying.
• AP students can apply with the AP routes above: 55554 in five APs, or three APs at 5 plus SAT/ACT.

5. Transfer students

• Transfer into second year is possible only if you:
  • meet the standard first-year entry requirements (such as A-Levels or equivalent);
  • have studied the same or very similar modules to King’s first year;
  • have achieved or are achieving a 2:1 or high 2:1 standard in first year.
• Limits:
  • transfer into the final year is not possible;
  • students on some overseas degrees must complete at least two years before transferring;
  • selection is competitive when qualified applicants exceed places.
• Process: apply through UCAS with the normal deadlines. Students needing a visa will usually need a new visa application, with King’s issuing a new CAS.

6. English requirements (Band B)

• IELTS Academic (including online): 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each skill.
• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition): from January 21, 2026, 5 overall with 4.5 in each skill; before that, 100 overall with 25 in writing and 23 in the others. Institution code 0394.
• Others: PTE Academic 69 (62 in each skill; PTE Academic Online not accepted); Cambridge C1/C2 185 (176 in each skill); Oxford Test of English Advanced 150 (140 in each component).
• Rules: scores must come from one test; TOEFL MyBest and IELTS One Skill are not accepted; tests must be within two years of the course start.

7. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• From September 1, 2026: apply through UCAS.
• January 13, 2027 (6pm UK time): standard deadline. King’s notes that although UCAS lists a more flexible deadline for international students, applications received after this date are considered late.
• After an offer, submit English results by the deadline in your offer; the course starts in September 2027.

8. Tuition

• Home students: £9,790 a year for new students starting in September 2026.
• International students: King’s lists tuition on each course page, so check the psychology page’s fee section for the international rate. Fees may rise in later years in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A-Level A*AA, IB 38 (19 at HL), or AP 55554 / three APs at 5 plus SAT 1380 or ACT 29
• Chinese high school students should check the course page for China requirements, and consider the King’s International Foundation if direct entry is not possible
• IELTS 7.0 (6.5 in each skill) or TOEFL 5 (4.5 in each), from one sitting
• Apply through UCAS by January 13, 2027

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Select Canada in the course page’s International applicants section; AP students can use the AP routes
• Apply through UCAS by January 13, 2027

Transfer students:

• Second-year entry requires similar first-year modules, a 2:1 standard and first-year entry qualifications; no final-year entry

Sources: King’s College London, Psychology BSc; Entry requirements; English language requirements; How to apply; Transferring to King’s; Tuition fees; International Foundation. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check King’s for the latest details.