Ladies' Department, King's College London Women's Department, King's College London King's College for Women

In 1871 King's College London began courses of lectures and classes to meet the needs of higher education for women, reflecting the support of its Principal, the Rev Dr Barry. Following these early developments, a women's college was opened in 1877 in Kensington. In 1885, this became a constituent department of King's College London known as the Ladies' Department. Classes were provided in the field of Arts, Sciences, Fine Art and Music and Theology, as well as more practical subjects. In 1895 students began working for Oxford Honours examinations, and Science courses were arranged for External examinations. In 1899 the Council opened the Associateship of King's College (AKC) to students and in 1900 students began preparing for internal degrees, as a result of which in 1902 the Ladies' Department became known as the Women's Department. The Home Science Department was founded in 1908. In 1910, the Women's Department was incorporated into the University of London as a distinct College, and named King's College for Women. In the session 1914-1915 the work of the College diverged. Divinity, Arts and Science subjects were transferred to King's College on the Strand. Home Science, however, became the Household and Social Science Department, still a department of King's College for Women, but relocated to new premises in Campden Hill. The College achieved independence in 1928 as the newly styled King's College of Household and Social Science and was known as Queen Elizabeth College from 1953 until the merger with King's College in 1985.