King’s College, University of Cambridge, has become the first Oxbridge institution to announce it will divest from arms companies, following sustained student protests over the war in Gaza and broader ethical concerns.
The college confirmed on Tuesday that it would withdraw all investments linked to defence firms and military equipment manufacturers. The move follows a 100-day encampment by student campaigners on the college’s iconic lawn last year, part of a wider wave of demonstrations across UK universities.
In an email to students, Provost Dr Gillian Tett said the governing body voted in favour of divestment on Monday evening. The decision, she said, was driven by concerns over “activities generally recognised as illegal or contravening global norms, such as occupation,” referencing both the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
The college will now begin the process of removing arms firms from its £300 million endowment portfolio, aiming to complete the changes by the end of 2025. A college spokesperson added that the decision “aligns our investments with the values of our community”.
King’s, long known for its left-leaning traditions and politically active student body, had around £2.2 million indirectly invested in over 50 defence-linked companies, according to a 2023 Varsity investigation. The same report revealed that the college’s investment in the sector had grown by over £700,000 in just five years.
Tuesday’s announcement was welcomed by student-led campaign group King’s Cam for Palestine (KC4P), who credited the decision to “sustained pressure” from students. KC4P urged other colleges and the wider University of Cambridge to follow King’s lead.
The move mirrors a growing national trend, with several UK councils, including Camden and Islington, also pulling pension fund investments from arms manufacturers in recent months.
King’s College has already divested from fossil fuels and says it is committed to socially responsible investment. The college’s decision comes as universities across the country continue to grapple with how to respond to student activism over international conflicts.
The University of Cambridge itself is currently enforcing a High Court injunction limiting protest activity on parts of its campus.
