🏛️University College London

London, UK

QS World 2026 · #9

London's largest, most subject-broad Russell Group university.

About UCL

UCL was one of the first English universities to admit students regardless of religion, and one of the first to admit women — it's long been known as 'London's Global University' for its broad international student base. It spans an unusually wide range of disciplines, from Medicine and Law to Architecture (the Bartlett) and Egyptology.

Why students choose it

  • The Bartlett is one of the world's top architecture schools
  • Exceptionally broad subject range under one roof
  • Central London (Bloomsbury) campus

🎓 Free application support for UCL

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Typical entry grades

A*A*A (A Level)  ·  IB 38

Top tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

£38,000+/yr

premium tier for UK — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

city campus, London

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or UCL's financial aid office.

Beyond government-level awards, most UK universities offer their own merit-based international scholarships — commonly a partial tuition reduction for strong A-Level/IB/IGCSE results, sometimes auto-considered from your application and sometimes requiring a short separate form.

  • Chevening Scholarships: UK government-funded, fully-funded, for one-year Master's study — highly competitive, open to students from eligible countries with leadership potential.
  • Commonwealth Scholarships: For citizens of Commonwealth countries, mainly postgraduate, funded by the UK government.
  • University international merit scholarships: Widely offered across Russell Group and other universities — typically a tuition-fee reduction for high entry grades, often renewable each year of study.

Chevening and Commonwealth are postgraduate-only. For undergraduate applicants, the university-specific merit scholarships are usually the more relevant route.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · UCAT · Interview (MMI)

Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: LNAT (some universities)

Economics

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics · TMUA (required or recommended for Economics at several universities, e.g. LSE, Warwick, UCL, Durham)

Architecture

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

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Typical entry: Portfolio

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics · TMUA / ESAT (top universities)

Natural Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Pharmacy

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years (MPharm) where entered straight from school; typically a 4-year postgraduate PharmD after 2+ years of pre-pharmacy study (US)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry

Durations are typical for UK — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
Late January (equal consideration deadline)
Note
Oxford, Cambridge and most Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science courses close earlier — 15 October the year before entry.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where UCL ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free UK University Shortlist Builder to see whether UCL is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other UK university that matches.

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More UK universities

UCL FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to UCL as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into UCL?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, UCL expects around A*A*A at A Level or 38 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for UCL's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on UCL's own admissions page before applying.

How much does UCL cost for international students?

International tuition at UCL typically falls in the £38,000+/yr range (premium tier for UK). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not UCL's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for UCL?

UCL follows UK's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due late january (equal consideration deadline). Oxford, Cambridge and most Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science courses close earlier — 15 October the year before entry. Always verify the exact date on UCL's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for UCL?

UK universities, including UCL, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is UCL known for?

London's largest, most subject-broad Russell Group university. UCL was one of the first English universities to admit students regardless of religion, and one of the first to admit women — it's long been known as 'London's Global University' for its broad international student base. It spans an unusually wide range of disciplines, from Medicine and Law to Architecture (the Bartlett) and Egyptology.

Can I apply to UCL with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — UCL accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free UK University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against UCL and every other UK university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to UCL? Get free application support.

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