How to apply

Learn how to apply for the IPM. This includes the application process, documents to submit, and accepting your offer.

 On this page:

• Before you apply
• When to apply
• Application process
• Supporting documents
• Payment deadlines
• Visa information
• Applying for accommodation

Before you apply

Before you apply, you should check that you fulfil our entry requirements and prepare your supporting documents.

When to apply

We recommend that you apply as early as possible and before the application deadline of 12pm (UK time), 23 August 2024.

Please note application may close earlier if the course becomes full, so we recommend you apply as early as possible.

Application process

1. Submit the online application form and pay the application fee of £75 on the UCL Online Store.

You will receive a personalised payment link to the UCL Online store once you have submitted your application.

Please remember to include all supporting documents:

• statement of purpose 
• final academic transcripts and degree certificate (with a translation if not originally in English) 
• evidence of English level
• copy of passport

Your application will only be processed when we have received everything we need. Learn about the supporting documents you’ll need to submit below.

2. Our Admissions team will review your application.

We aim to inform you of our decision as quickly as possible. You can normally expect to receive a decision within 2-3 weeks of submitting a complete application.

If you’re successful, we’ll send you an offer letter via email.

If we have any queries about your application, we will contact you for further information.

3. Accept your offer and confirm your place

You can accept your offer by paying the first instalment of your course fee (£9,850).

Government-sponsored students should submit their sponsorship letter.

We will hold a place for you once you have made this payment and confirmed your place.

4. Apply for a visa

You may need to apply for a visa to study in the UK, and we'll advise you on this important process. You can check whether you will require a visa on the UK Government website.

See the visa information section below for further information.

5. Plan your arrival

We will send you some pre-arrival information. You should aim to arrive in good time and no later than the weekend before the course start date. Please check your IPM confirmation email for further information.

Supporting documents

As part of your application, you’ll need to submit some additional documents.

We do not consider letters of recommendation or CVs as part of your application.

Statement of purpose

Maximum 350 words

This is a key part of the application. Tell us why you are interested in the IPM and why you think you are suitable for it. Tell us how it will fit in with your future academic plans.

Your statement should be no more than 350 words and your own work, without help from anyone. It is not used to assess your English language level. It helps us decide whether the course is right for you.

Academic transcript and degree certificate

You need to submit your final degree transcript confirming the title of your award, final grade and date of completion. If these are not in English, you will need to attach an official translation.

If you are still studying for your first degree, please wait until you have your degree transcript before applying.

Evidence of English level

This needs to be an English qualification accepted by the IPM. Your English language qualification must be no more than two years old by the IPM start date.

Passport

You will need to provide a copy of your passport.

Offer to study a Master's degree

You should supply any offers to study a Master’s degree that you already have.

Please note that you do not need to have an offer to study on a Master's degree to apply for this course.

UCL postgraduate offer holders

If you hold an offer for a UCL postgraduate degree for 2024-25 entry and would like to start a year later so you can do the Pre-Master's, you will be able to request a deferral.

We will include further information about how to request a deferral in our IPM enrolment letter, after you have paid the tuition fee in full.

You must make your deferral request at least two weeks before the start date of the postgraduate degree you had applied to, and be deferring for the first time.

Read more about deferring your graduate taught offer.

Paying for your course

Course fee

Please see our course fee here.

Payment deadlines

You will need pay the first instalment of your tuition fee (£9,850) to secure your place on the course, normally within two weeks of your offer of a place.

The remainder of the course fee needs to be paid by 23 September 2024 at the very latest.

If you need a visa to study in the UK you will need to make payment earlier than the dates above, because visa documentation will be issued only after we receive the full course fee.

Refunds

Full refunds of the course fee will be made in the event of a visa application refusal where a further visa application is not possible. Claims must be supported by a Refusal of Entry Clearance letter. 
 
Other refund requests must be received by 12pm, 23 August 2024 to be considered and are subject to a 10% administration charge. Refund requests must be submitted by email to pre-masters@ucl.ac.uk

Requests for full or pro rata refunds for students withdrawing from a course of study after its commencement will not be considered.

Visa information

If you need a visa to study in the UK, you will need to apply for a Student Visa.

To apply for your Student Visa you will first need a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). For IPM students these are issued by CLIE and we will provide information about how to request a CAS during your application process.

Please note that the Short-Term Study Visa is not suitable for Pre-Master's students.

For further advice about visas, please visit the UCL Immigration and Visas website.

Applying for accommodation

Once you've paid the first instalment of your tuition fee and have been issued with a UCL student number, you can apply for UCL Accommodation.

You should apply before 10 June and meet the other UCL Accommodation eligibility criteria to be prioritised for a room.

IPM students are treated as undergraduates by UCL Accommodation for the purposes of allocating accommodation.

If you confirm your place after this deadline, we would strongly recommend you secure alternative accommodation.

The UCL accommodation team can assist you in providing useful resources and information to help with your search.