Program-level details
King's College London uses a banded English requirement set per course rather than one university-wide number. The standard Band B requirement is TOEFL iBT 100 overall with Writing 25 and all other sections 23, which is the most common level across undergraduate and postgraduate-taught programmes. More competitive courses use Band A (109) and some use Band D (92), so applicants should check the band listed for their specific programme. All section minimums must be met in a single sitting; scores are valid for 2 years.
Translating this score to the 2026 1-6 band scale
From January 2026, ETS reports the TOEFL iBT on a 1.0-6.0 band scale (in 0.5 increments) rather than the legacy 0-120 scale. King's College London (KCL)'s undergraduate minimum of 100 corresponds to roughly band 5.0, which aligns with CEFR C1. The graduate minimum of 100 corresponds to band 5.0 (C1). For a more precise read on what these bands mean for your speaking, writing, listening, and reading, take a free TOEFLMock practice test — you'll see your score reported on both scales side-by-side.
Other accepted English tests
King's College London (KCL) typically accepts: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each skill (Band B); Band A requires IELTS 7.5. Many universities accept the Duolingo English Test, and some accept Cambridge English Advanced (C1) or Proficiency (C2). Acceptance and minimum thresholds for alternative tests change frequently — verify against the current admissions page before relying on a specific alternative.
How to prepare for the King's College London (KCL) TOEFL minimum
A target of 100 on the TOEFL iBT is a band 5.0 performance. Realistically, this means consistently scoring well across all four sections, since universities almost always set sub-section minimums (typically 22 in each of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing for top-tier programs). The fastest way to spot which section is holding you back is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions and compare your section bands. From there, focused section practice is more productive than another full-length attempt.
- Take a free full-length TOEFL practice test to see your starting band
- Reading practice — 16 free 2026-format reading tests
- Listening practice — 16 free 2026-format listening tests with the new task types
- Writing practice — 16 free Build-a-Sentence + Email + Academic Discussion tests
- Speaking practice — 16 free Listen-and-Repeat + video Interview tests
Common questions
What is the minimum TOEFL score for King's College London (KCL)? ▾
King's College London (KCL) requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 for undergraduate admission and 100 for most graduate programs. King's College London uses a banded English requirement set per course rather than one university-wide number. The standard Band B requirement is TOEFL iBT 100 overall with Writing 25 and all other sections 23, which is the most common level across undergraduate and postgraduate-taught programmes. More competitive courses use Band A (109) and some use Band D (92), so applicants should check the band listed for their specific programme. All section minimums must be met in a single sitting; scores are valid for 2 years.
What if my TOEFL score is below the King's College London (KCL) minimum? ▾
If you score below the King's College London (KCL) minimum, options include retaking the TOEFL after focused practice, taking an alternative accepted test (IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each skill (Band B); Band A requires IELTS 7.5), or applying to a pre-sessional English program offered by the university.
Does King's College London (KCL) accept the Duolingo English Test? ▾
Many universities now accept the Duolingo English Test as an alternative to TOEFL. Whether King's College London (KCL) accepts it depends on the program and the year — verify against the official admissions page linked above.
How do I send my TOEFL scores to King's College London (KCL)? ▾
Official TOEFL scores are sent directly from ETS to the university you specify. You can list up to four institutions to receive your scores at no extra cost when you register for the test. Additional score reports cost a fee per institution.
Verify before applying
University admission requirements change. Always confirm the current TOEFL minimum on the official King's College London (KCL) admissions page before applying. The figures on this page were last verified 2026-06-02 and reflect publicly stated institutional minimums; specific programs may set higher thresholds, and some courses (medicine, law, education) frequently do.