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).

Check Courses & Programs offered by KCL

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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