King’s College London (KCL) is one of the most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom and consistently ranks among the top universities in the world. Based in London and renowned for excellence in Arts, Medicine, Sciences, Law, and Social Sciences, KCL is evaluated annually by leading global ranking bodies such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE), The Guardian, CWUR, US News, and ARWU.
According to QS World University Rankings 2026, KCL is ranked #31 out of 1401 globally, maintaining its position as a top 5 university in the UK. Renowned for its "research power," KCL is a world leader in Healthcare, Law, and the Social Sciences.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of King’s College London ranking for 2026, including global rankings, UK rankings, year-on-year trends, and subject-wise performance, using data published by official ranking organizations only.
KCL Rankings 2026: Quick Snapshot
- QS World Ranking: #31 (Up from #40 in 2025)
- THE World Ranking: #38 (6th in the UK)
- Guardian University Guide: #21 in the UK (Up 7 places)
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Kings College London Global Ranking Trends (2024–2026)
KCL’s performance across the "Big Three" global agencies – THE, QS, The Guardian – shows a strong trajectory in academic reputation and sustainability.
| Ranking Body | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
| QS World University Rankings | #31 | #40 | #40 |
| Times Higher Education (THE) | #38 | #36 | #38 |
| The Guardian | #21 | - | - |
| QS Sustainability Ranking | #16 | #14 | #44 |
Trend Analysis:
- Kings College London QS rankings show strong improvement, rising from #40 to #31 globally.
- THE rankings show a slight decline, largely due to increased global competition.
King’s College London consistently ranks among the top 40 universities globally and top 6 in the UK, reflecting strong academic reputation, research output, and international influence.
KCL Subject Rankings
King's College London has been recognized by top-ranking agencies for its courses in Sciences, Arts, Medicine. The Sciences programs at KCL has been ranked #32 out of 500 by ARWU (2022). KCL Arts programs are ranked #24 out of 601 globally as per THE (2025)
The rankings of top courses at KCL are given in the table below.
| Subject | Ranking Body | Global Rank | UK Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | QS | #1 / 225 | #1 |
| Psychology | THE | #9 / 601 | #3 |
| Law | THE | #27 / 301 | #6 |
| Arts & Humanities | QS | #17 / 553 | #5 |
| Medicine | QS | #15 / 850 | #5 |
| Political Science | QS | #12 / 400 | #4 |
| Education | QS | #22 / 450 | #5 |
| Computer Science | QS | #57 / 850 | #6 |
| Engineering | QS | #116 / 550 | #9 |
The "Global Top 20" Subjects
- Nursing: Ranked #1 globally (QS). Prestigious nursing faculty in Europe.
- Law: The Dickson Poon School of Law ranks #7 in the UK (The Guardian) and #19 globally (QS).
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King's College London THE Rankings
Times Higher Education evaluates universities based on teaching, research quality, citations, international outlook, and industry income.
| Stream | 2026 Ranking | 2025 Ranking | 2024 Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | #38 out of 3118 in Global Ranking #6 out of 106 in UK |
#36 out of 2857 in Global Ranking #6 out of 104 in UK |
#38 out of 1600 in Global Ranking #6 out of 75 in UK |
| Arts | - | #24 out of 601 in Global Ranking #5 out of 79 in UK |
#20 out of 691 in Global Ranking #5 out of 77 in UK |
| Health Care | - | - | #13 out of 1059 in Global Ranking #5 out of 82 in UK |
| Computer Science | - | #91 out of 1001 in Global Ranking #7 out of 63 in UK |
#96 out of 1027 in Global Ranking #7 out of 61 in UK |
| Engineering | - | #126 out of 1250 in Global Ranking #10 out of 68 in UK |
- |
| Law | - | #27 out of 301 in Global Ranking #6 out of 55 in UK |
#27 out of 329 in Global Ranking #6 out of 53 in UK |
| Psychology | - | #9 out of 601 in Global Ranking #3 out of 86 in UK |
#15 out of 621 in Global Ranking #3 out of 83 in UK |
| Humanities | - | #24 out of 601 in Global Ranking #5 out of 79 in UK |
#20 out of 691 in Global Ranking #5 out of 77 in UK |
| Business | - | #59 out of 990 in Global Ranking #7 out of 87 in UK |
- |
| Social Studies | - | #32 out of 1001 in Global Ranking #5 out of 98 in UK |
#33 out of 997 in Global Ranking #6 out of 94 in UK |
| Education | - | #35 out of 601 in Global Ranking #5 out of 71 in UK |
#35 out of 703 in Global Ranking #5 out of 72 in UK |
The overall ranking of KCL has shown decline in recent years. In 2026, KCL ranked #38 out of 3118, marking an decline from 2025, when it was ranked #36 out of 2857 globally.
According to THE, KCL Arts ranking is #24 out of 601 in 2025. This ranking has dropped compared to #20 out of 691 in 2024.
King's College London QS Rankings
KCL Overall QS ranking for 2026 is #31 out of 1401. KCL Ranking Arts by QS is #17 out of 553 in the 2025 rankings. Check KCL QS ranking trends in the table below:
| Stream | 2026 Ranking | 2025 Ranking | 2024 Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | #31 out of 1401 in Global Ranking #5 out of 89 in UK |
#40 out of 1503 in Global Ranking #7 out of 90 in UK |
#40 out of 1401 in Global Ranking #7 out of 90 in UK |
| Arts | - | #17 out of 553 in Global Ranking #5 out of 56 in UK |
#22 out of 551 in Global Ranking #8 out of 66 in UK |
| Medicine | - | #15 out of 850 in Global Ranking #5 out of 63 in UK |
#12 out of 551 in Global Ranking #5 out of 45 in UK |
| Finance | - | - | #75 out of 351 in Global Ranking #12 out of 43 in UK |
| Political Science | - | #12 out of 400 in Global Ranking #4 out of 42 in UK |
#12 out of 250 in Global Ranking #4 out of 33 in UK |
| Computer Science | - | #57 out of 850 in Global Ranking #6 out of 62 in UK |
#61 out of 722 in Global Ranking #6 out of 57 in UK |
| English | - | #16 out of 350 in Global Ranking #4 out of 46 in UK |
#15 out of 331 in Global Ranking #5 out of 45 in UK |
| Technology | - | - | #122 out of 555 in Global Ranking #13 out of 41 in UK |
| Engineering | - | #116 out of 550 in Global Ranking #9 out of 37 in UK |
#122 out of 555 in Global Ranking #13 out of 41 in UK |
| Mathematics | - | #59 out of 600 in Global Ranking #8 out of 39 in UK |
#68 out of 553 in Global Ranking #8 out of 40 in UK |
| Law | - | #19 out of 400 in Global Ranking #5 out of 38 in UK |
#15 out of 370 in Global Ranking #5 out of 40 in UK |
| Physics | - | #78 out of 675 in Global Ranking #8 out of 41 in UK |
#83 out of 640 in Global Ranking #9 out of 41 in UK |
| Psychology | - | #18 out of 350 in Global Ranking #4 out of 43 in UK |
#16 out of 330 in Global Ranking #4 out of 47 in UK |
| Humanities | - | - | #22 out of 551 in Global Ranking #5 out of 59 in UK |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | - | #102 out of 552 in Global Ranking #8 out of 43 in UK |
#94 out of 533 in Global Ranking #8 out of 39 in UK |
| Chemistry | - | #82 out of 700 in Global Ranking #8 out of 38 in UK |
#89 out of 652 in Global Ranking #9 out of 37 in UK |
| Nursing | - | #1 out of 225 in Global Ranking #1 out of 24 in UK |
#2 out of 200 in Global Ranking #1 out of 22 in UK |
| Philosophy | - | #24 out of 225 in Global Ranking #6 out of 27 in UK |
#13 out of 213 in Global Ranking #5 out of 27 in UK |
| Literature | - | - | #15 out of 331 in Global Ranking #5 out of 45 in UK |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | - | - | #51 out of 72 in Global Ranking #5 out of 6 in UK |
| Media Studies | - | - | #27 out of 250 in Global Ranking #4 out of 36 in UK |
| Archaeology | - | #101 out of 261 in Global Ranking #13 out of 30 in UK |
#101 out of 240 in Global Ranking #14 out of 27 in UK |
| Business | - | #83 out of 650 in Global Ranking #15 out of 86 in UK |
#87 out of 626 in Global Ranking #20 out of 83 in UK |
| Social Studies | - | #46 out of 550 in Global Ranking #9 out of 51 in UK |
#27 out of 130 in Global Ranking #8 out of 45 in UK |
| Education | - | #22 out of 450 in Global Ranking #5 out of 45 in UK |
#21 out of 420 in Global Ranking #5 out of 48 in UK |
| History | - | #25 out of 251 in Global Ranking #6 out of 32 in UK |
#11 out of 100 in Global Ranking #6 out of 35 in UK |
| Development Studies | - | #31 out of 150 in Global Ranking #10 out of 24 in UK |
#30 out of 132 in Global Ranking #9 out of 25 in UK |
| Statistics | - | #151 out of 275 in Global Ranking #8 out of 30 in UK |
- |
| Geography | - | #14 out of 250 in Global Ranking #6 out of 34 in UK |
#24 out of 231 in Global Ranking #8 out of 33 in UK |
| Performing Arts | - | #51 out of 150 in Global Ranking #7 out of 23 in UK |
#13 out of 120 in Global Ranking #6 out of 27 in UK |
The overall ranking of KCL has shown improvement in recent years. In 2026, KCL ranked #31 out of 1401, marking an improvement from 2025, when it was ranked #40 out of 1503 globally.
According to QS, KCL Arts ranking is #17 out of 553 in 2025. This ranking has improved compared to #22 out of 551 in 2024.
King's College London The Guardian Rankings
KCL Overall The Guardian ranking for 2026 is #21 out of 123. KCL Ranking Finance by The Guardian is #14 out of 100 in the 2026 rankings. Check KCL The Guardian ranking trends in the table below:
| Stream | 2026 Ranking | 2021 Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | #21 out of 123 in Global Ranking #21 out of 108 in UK |
#42 out of 200 in Global Ranking #37 out of 108 in UK |
| Finance | #14 out of 100 in Global Ranking #14 out of 96 in UK |
- |
| Computer Science | #33 out of 110 in Global Ranking #28 out of 103 in UK |
#43 out of 150 in Global Ranking #39 out of 101 in UK |
| Law | #7 out of 110 in Global Ranking #6 out of 100 in UK |
#6 out of 150 in Global Ranking #6 out of 96 in UK |
| Business | #8 out of 119 in Global Ranking #8 out of 105 in UK |
#30 out of 150 in Global Ranking #25 out of 109 in UK |
The overall ranking of KCL has shown improvement in recent years. In 2026, KCL ranked #21 out of 123, marking an improvement from 2021, when it was ranked #42 out of 200 globally.
According to The Guardian, KCL Finance ranking is #14 out of 100 in 2026.
King's College London CWUR Rankings
KCL Overall CWUR ranking for 2025 is #42 out of 2000. Check KCL CWUR ranking trends in the table below:
| Stream | 2025 Ranking | 2022 Ranking | 2021 Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | #42 out of 2000 in Global Ranking #5 out of 86 in UK |
#43 out of 1994 in Global Ranking #5 out of 90 in UK |
#45 out of 2000 in Global Ranking #6 out of 92 in UK |
The overall ranking of KCL has shown improvement in recent years. In 2025, KCL ranked #42 out of 2000, marking an improvement from 2022, when it was ranked #43 out of 1994 globally.
King's College London US News Rankings
KCL Overall US News ranking for 2024 is #36 out of 2459. KCL Ranking Arts by US News is #24 out of 250 in the 2022 rankings. Check KCL US News ranking trends in the table below:
| Stream | 2024 Ranking | 2023 Ranking | 2022 Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | #36 out of 2459 in Global Ranking #5 out of 96 in UK |
#33 out of 1740 in Global Ranking #6 out of 85 in UK |
#33 out of 1740 in Global Ranking #6 out of 85 in UK |
| Arts | - | - | #24 out of 250 in Global Ranking #5 out of 36 in UK |
| Medicine | - | - | #34 out of 999 in Global Ranking #5 out of 66 in UK |
| Computer Science | - | - | #150 out of 500 in Global Ranking #13 out of 30 in UK |
| Engineering | - | - | #212 out of 949 in Global Ranking #18 out of 51 in UK |
| Physics | - | - | #65 out of 743 in Global Ranking #7 out of 33 in UK |
| Humanities | - | - | #24 out of 250 in Global Ranking #5 out of 36 in UK |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | - | - | #47 out of 469 in Global Ranking #4 out of 32 in UK |
| Chemistry | - | - | #467 out of 997 in Global Ranking #21 out of 39 in UK |
| Immunology | - | - | #44 out of 244 in Global Ranking #6 out of 20 in UK |
The overall ranking of KCL has shown decline in recent years. In 2024, KCL ranked #36 out of 2459, marking an decline from 2023, when it was ranked #33 out of 1740 globally.
According to US News, KCL Arts ranking is #24 out of 250 in 2022.
King's College London ARWU Rankings
KCL Overall ARWU ranking for 2022 is #48 out of 1000. KCL Ranking Sciences by ARWU is #32 out of 500 in the 2022 rankings. Check KCL ARWU ranking trends in the table below:
| Stream | 2022 Ranking | 2021 Ranking | 2020 Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | #48 out of 1000 in Global Ranking #10 out of 63 in UK |
#51 out of 200 in Global Ranking #15 out of 69 in UK |
- |
| Sciences | #32 out of 500 in Global Ranking #6 out of 55 in UK |
#51 out of 500 in Global Ranking #10 out of 52 in UK |
- |
| Medicine | #29 out of 500 in Global Ranking #6 out of 43 in UK |
#29 out of 500 in Global Ranking #6 out of 44 in UK |
- |
| Health Care | #23 out of 500 in Global Ranking #7 out of 45 in UK |
- | - |
| Finance | - | #151 out of 200 in Global Ranking #8 out of 24 in UK |
#151 out of 200 in Global Ranking #8 out of 27 in UK |
| Political Science | - | #31 out of 400 in Global Ranking #5 out of 57 in UK |
#47 out of 400 in Global Ranking #6 out of 59 in UK |
| Engineering | #40 out of 500 in Global Ranking #4 out of 46 in UK |
#35 out of 500 in Global Ranking #13 out of 48 in UK |
- |
| Mathematics | #151 out of 500 in Global Ranking #9 out of 25 in UK |
- | #201 out of 500 in Global Ranking #7 out of 39 in UK |
| Law | - | #101 out of 300 in Global Ranking #6 out of 48 in UK |
#101 out of 300 in Global Ranking #5 out of 51 in UK |
| Physics | #101 out of 500 in Global Ranking #9 out of 30 in UK |
#101 out of 500 in Global Ranking #9 out of 30 in UK |
#101 out of 500 in Global Ranking #9 out of 31 in UK |
| Psychology | - | #15 out of 500 in Global Ranking #3 out of 56 in UK |
#23 out of 500 in Global Ranking #3 out of 60 in UK |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | #45 out of 500 in Global Ranking #4 out of 39 in UK |
#51 out of 500 in Global Ranking #5 out of 38 in UK |
#76 out of 500 in Global Ranking #6 out of 36 in UK |
| Chemistry | #301 out of 500 in Global Ranking #9 out of 30 in UK |
#301 out of 500 in Global Ranking #9 out of 32 in UK |
#301 out of 500 in Global Ranking #9 out of 32 in UK |
| Public Policy | #23 out of 500 in Global Ranking #7 out of 45 in UK |
#28 out of 500 in Global Ranking #7 out of 46 in UK |
- |
| Nursing | #17 out of 500 in Global Ranking #2 out of 25 in UK |
#14 out of 300 in Global Ranking #2 out of 27 in UK |
#5 out of 300 in Global Ranking #1 out of 30 in UK |
| Business | - | #201 out of 400 in Global Ranking #7 out of 49 in UK |
#201 out of 400 in Global Ranking #7 out of 49 in UK |
| Social Studies | - | #76 out of 200 in Global Ranking #10 out of 41 in UK |
#76 out of 200 in Global Ranking #7 out of 37 in UK |
| Education | - | #76 out of 500 in Global Ranking #2 out of 57 in UK |
#76 out of 500 in Global Ranking #2 out of 58 in UK |
| Geography | #15 out of 500 in Global Ranking #10 out of 41 in UK |
#18 out of 300 in Global Ranking #9 out of 40 in UK |
#33 out of 300 in Global Ranking #12 out of 41 in UK |
The overall ranking of KCL has shown improvement in recent years. In 2022, KCL ranked #48 out of 1000, marking an improvement from 2021, when it was ranked #51 out of 200 globally.
According to ARWU, KCL Sciences ranking is #32 out of 500 in 2022. This ranking has improved compared to #51 out of 500 in 2021.
King's College London RUR Rankings
KCL Overall RUR ranking for 2020 is #27 out of 800. KCL Ranking Medicine by RUR is #84 out of 500 in the 2018 rankings. Check KCL RUR ranking trends in the table below:
| Stream | 2020 Ranking | 2019 Ranking | 2018 Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | #27 out of 800 in Global Ranking #5 out of 59 in UK |
#38 out of 810 in Global Ranking #6 out of 67 in UK |
#30 out of 784 in Global Ranking #7 out of 66 in UK |
| Medicine | - | - | #84 out of 500 in Global Ranking #7 out of 62 in UK |
| Engineering | #23 out of 750 in Global Ranking #4 out of 55 in UK |
#10 out of 625 in Global Ranking #1 out of 44 in UK |
#9 out of 565 in Global Ranking #3 out of 53 in UK |
| Humanities | - | #21 out of 600 in Global Ranking #3 out of 44 in UK |
#16 out of 600 in Global Ranking #4 out of 61 in UK |
The overall ranking of KCL has shown improvement in recent years. In 2020, KCL ranked #27 out of 800, marking an improvement from 2019, when it was ranked #38 out of 810 globally.
According to RUR, KCL Medicine ranking is #84 out of 500 in 2018.
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