University College London (UCL), founded in 1826 in Bloomsbury in central London, is one of the world’s top-ranked universities and a member of the Russell Group. It offers a huge range of subjects, from architecture and law to economics, computer science and medicine, and it’s especially popular with international students. Many UCL courses are very competitive, and some now use admissions tests.
The good news is that, for most UCL courses starting in September 2027, the deadline is 13 January 2027, so there’s still time to apply. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on UCL’s own guidance. If you’re applying for a master’s or PhD instead, see the section near the end.
1. Choose the right UCL programme
UCL offers hundreds of undergraduate programmes, and each one sets its own entry requirements, tests and selection process. Read the programme page carefully, including the required subjects and whether there’s a test, a written task, an interview or a portfolio. If you like several subjects, look at interdisciplinary options such as UCL’s Arts and Sciences BASc.
2. Meet the grade and subject requirements
UCL’s requirements vary a lot. For 2027 entry, Economics BSc (Econ) asks for A*AA with A* in Mathematics, or 39 points in the IB with 19 at Higher Level including 7 in Mathematics. Computer Science BSc asks for A*A*A, with A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Architecture BSc asks for AAB plus a portfolio of creative work if you’re invited to send one. Use the prospectus to look up the requirements for your country’s qualifications. If your school-leaving qualification isn’t accepted for direct entry, UCL’s Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates are a foundation route you apply for directly, not through UCAS.
3. Take the right admissions test
UCL uses several UAT-UK admissions tests for 2027 entry:
- TMUA for Economics.
- TARA for Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering.
- ESAT for Electronic and Electrical Engineering.
- LNAT for Law, which you must take by 31 December 2026.
The ESAT, TMUA and TARA can be taken from 4 to 8 January 2027 if you missed October, and tests cost more at centres outside the UK and Ireland. Check your programme page, because some departments have changed their rules for 2027: English, for example, no longer asks for a written assessment or interview. UCL tests, tasks and interviews.
4. Write a focused personal statement
Since 2026 entry, the UCAS personal statement has been split into three questions: why this course, how your studies have prepared you, and what else you’ve done outside education. Together they must fit into 4,000 characters, and each answer needs at least 350. If you apply to several UCL programmes, choose closely related ones, because you write one statement for all five of your UCAS choices. Be specific: one book, project or problem you’ve explored in depth says more than a long list of activities.
5. Show that you’ll thrive in a research-led university
UCL is a research-intensive university, and its teaching often brings students close to current research. Show that you enjoy independent study: an extended project, a research summer school, a competition, wide reading or a project you started yourself. Explain what you discovered and what questions it left you with.
6. Get a strong reference
Your school’s reference and predicted grades carry real weight with UCL, because most offers are made before you sit your final exams. Talk to your teachers early, share what you’re planning to write in your personal statement, and make sure your predicted grades are realistic but meet the typical offer.
7. Apply by 13 January 2027
For September 2027 entry, most UCL courses have a UCAS equal consideration deadline of 6pm UK time on 13 January 2027. Applications sent in October and in January are treated the same, so take the time to get your personal statement and reference right. If you’re hoping to study medicine or dentistry, note that the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry was 15 October 2026, and you’d also have needed to sit the UCAT, so you’d now be planning for 2028 entry. UCAS applications for 2027 entry opened in May 2026, so many applicants have already applied, but applying in January doesn’t count against you.
8. Meet UCL’s English language level
UCL has five English language levels, and each programme says which one it needs. Level 1, the lowest, is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each part. Programmes such as Law and English require Level 4, which is much higher. For September 2027 entry, your test must have been taken on or after 1 September 2025. Practise with our free IELTS, TOEFL and PTE practice tests. UCL English language requirements.
9. Budget for fees and apply for a scholarship
For 2027 entry, UCL’s international fees depend on the programme: for example, £36,800 a year for Law, £40,800 for Economics, £44,400 for Mechanical Engineering and £48,600 for Computer Science. Most overseas students are covered by UCL’s cohort guarantee, which means your fee shouldn’t rise during your degree, although Medicine is excluded. For help with costs:
- The UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship is a need-based award for overseas-fee students from low-income backgrounds. You must already have applied to UCL through UCAS, and you apply for each programme separately. The 2026 deadline was in April, so check for the 2027 dates.
- Use UCL’s scholarship finder to look for other awards for your country or subject.
10. Get ready for your Student visa
If you need a UK Student visa, UCL will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) after you’ve firmly accepted your offer and met its conditions. Apply for your visa as soon as you have it, and keep evidence that you can pay your tuition fees and living costs. The Graduate Route, which lets you work in the UK after your degree, is due to drop from two years to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. Rules can change, so always check GOV.UK.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at UCL?
UCL has a very large choice of one-year master’s degrees and PhD programmes across all its faculties. Each programme sets its own requirements and deadlines, and some close early once they’re full. You apply directly to the university, not through UCAS. Most programmes ask for a good first degree (often a UK upper second-class degree or the equivalent), a personal statement, references and, for international applicants, an English test. See our 50 sample SOPs, free GRE and GMAT practice tests, and our guide to the best AI master’s degrees in the UK.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
UCL turns down many strong applicants every year, because there are more excellent students than places. Use your five UCAS choices wisely: apply to UCL if it’s right for you, and include universities where your chances are good. Read our guides to other Russell Group universities, including Imperial, King’s College London, LSE and Edinburgh. Our guide to studying in the UK explains how UK universities work, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from UCL’s official undergraduate prospectus, admissions test, English language, fees and scholarship pages, and checked in October 2026. Entry requirements, deadlines, tests, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on UCL’s undergraduate website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with University College London.