King's College London

King's College London was established in 1829 by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. It was founded as a university college in the tradition of the Church of England, as an alternative to the secular University College London, making it one of the two founding colleges of the University of London.

King's College London officially opened its doors to students in October 1831. The college began with general literature and science, complemented by divinity studies, reflecting its Anglican foundation. Over time, it expanded its academic offering to include medicine, law, and other disciplines.

In 1903, King's College London established a separate Women's Department. This was significant as it marked the inclusion of women into higher education at King's. The Women's Department provided courses in arts and sciences and was located in Strand, a move towards gender equality in education.

In 1910, King's College London became formally a constituent college of the University of London, cementing its position as a significant institution within the federation of colleges. This integration allowed greater cooperation and facilitated the sharing of academic resources across colleges.

King's College London became fully coeducational in 1985, meaning that men and women could attend the same courses together. This was the completion of a gradual process of admitting women into all parts of the university, beginning with the foundational arts and sciences courses.

In 1998, King's College London merged with the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals. This merger expanded King's health and medical teaching and research capabilities, creating one of the largest and most prestigious medical schools in the UK.

In 2004, King's College London established The King's Forum on International Dispute Resolution, aimed at promoting research and education in the field of international dispute resolution. This initiative enhances King's role in global legal studies and international relations research.

In September 2012, King's College London Mathematics School opened as a specialist mathematics school for students aged 16-19. It aims to prepare students for mathematical sciences degrees at top universities. The school is amongst the top schools for advanced mathematical education in England.

In June 2014, Arnold Schwarzenegger visited King's College London to speak as part of the college's King's Policy Institute lectures. He discussed his experiences as Governor of California, his environmental and climate change advocacy efforts, and his career in film and public service.

In 2017, King's College London joined the Alan Turing Institute as a university partner. This collaboration strengthens King's research capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence and data science, leveraging shared resources and expertise to advance the study of AI across disciplines.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, King's College London played a significant role in research and response. The institution was involved in key research projects, including epidemiology studies and public health model guidance, and in developing remote education solutions for students.