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Below you'll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about applying for undergraduate study.
Application
- How can I support my child in making an application to UCL?
Applications for UCL’s undergraduate degrees are made through UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Further information and guidance can be found on the UCAS website and there is dedicated section for Parents and Guardians supporting students applying to university in the UK.
- What are the deadlines for an undergraduate application at UCL?
Information about key days in the application timetable can be found on the Applying through UCAS page
- Will early applications have a better chance of being made an offer?
All applications are giving equal consideration if they meet the published UCAS deadlines of October 15 (for Medicine) and January 15 for all other programmes.
- What grades are needed for my child to be considered for an undergraduate programme at UCL?
A full list of our degree programmes can be found in the prospectus. Course pages give details of A-level and IB requirements. UCL also considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry and these can be searched by country on the course pages.
- If my child is taking four A-levels will this give them an advantage?
We would always look at the best three A-levels, so taking four A-levels would not necessarily give an applicant an advantage over someone taking three A-levels.
- Do your programmes have any other requirements that we should be aware of?
A small number of programmes have additional requirements such as Law and Medicine, where students are required to take the LNAT or BMAT, or programmes such as Architecture or Fine Art will require a portfolio. Information about all requirements for our programme can be found on the relevant course pages in the prospectus. For students whose first language is not English they would be expected to provide recent evidence that their spoken language is adequate. This will vary depending on the programme and can be found on the course page of the prospectus. General information about English language requirements can be found here.
- Can my child apply to UCL if they do not meet the grades requirements?
Due to the high volume of applications and the level of competition, it is very unlikely that we will make an offer to students with predicted grades below our entry requirements.
- Do any of your undergraduate degree programmes require interviews?
The degree programmes which currently require interviews ae Architecture, English, European Social Political Studies Dual Degree, Fine Art, Medicine and Pharmacy.
- How much flexibility is there if my child does not meet the conditions of their offer?
Due to the volume of applications and competition for places it would be highly unlikely that a student would be able to take up their place of study if they fail to meet the conditions of their offer. Final decisions will be sent to UCAS and displayed on UCAS Track as well at the UCL Portal
- How many places do you have for international students?
For MBBS programmes it is a UK government requirement that only 7% of each cohort are non-UK students. Therefore all medicine programmes in the UK can only accept a maximum of 7% overseas fee status students. No other programmes have a quota system in this
- Can I discuss my child’s application with you?
Under the Data Protection Act staff are unable to give any information about a student applying for a place at university to a third party, including parents and guardians, without the students expressed permission.
- How can my child gain work experience which is a requirement for Medicine?
We recommend that prospective students read the Medical Schools Council guide to work experience in the time of Covid-19.
The applicant’s ability to demonstrate and reflect on what they have learnt, about themselves and about medicine, through any experience is the main factor we are looking for when assessing experience. This ability to reflect on what they have learnt will be assessed via the personal statement, and may be assessed at interview.
Funding
- What are the fees for the programme?
The level of fee will depend on whether a student is classed as UK, Overseas or Islands students. Information about fee status can be found on the Student fee status page. Both UK and Overseas fees are clearly listed on the relevant course pages in the prospectus. Tuition fees covers all element of tuition, registrations and examinations.
- What financial support is available for my child to apply for?
Further information about funding for undergraduate studies can be found on the Funding for students on undergraduate courses page.
- How much should we budget in terms of living expenses?
Spending costs can vary depending on lifestyle choices and the individual student. Some programmes will incur some additional costs not covered by tuition fees. For example specialist equipment, artists’ materials, books or cost related to carrying out field work. Guidance on living expenses and additional costs can be found on the following page.
Accommodation and Life in London
- Will my child be guaranteed accommodation at UCL?
All first year full-time Undergraduate students, including international student, are guaranteed accommodation if they have firmly accepted an offer of a place on a degree programme, conditional or unconditional and apply for accommodation by 31 May in the year of study. Further information about eligibility criteria can be found on the accommodation page.
- How is accommodation allocated?
We consider the preferences applicants indicate on their application including room type, budge and factors that are important to them. Accommodation applications are processed in a random order using our automated allocation system based on the stated preferences. This allows UCL to successfully allocate 89% of student to the room type they have selected and ensures the process is fair to all applicants.
- Can my child live in UCL accommodation after their first year?
UCL has limited accommodation options available for students after their first year of study. UCL has partnered with strategic private providers to offer high quality accommodation at affordable prices and work with the University of London Housing services which offers information and free legal advice on private accommodation. Further information can be found on the Retuning students accommodation page.
- Does UCL provide assistance in securing private housing if my child decides to not live in University accommodation?
There is guidance on the accommodation website for students looking for private housing and the University of London Housing services offers a range of services to assist and support students who are looking for private accommodation in London.
- Will my child be supervised if they live in university accommodation?
All UCL halls of residence have a dedicated team of Student Residence Advisers (current UCL postgraduate students) and a Warden (staff) to help students to settle in, stay safe and get involved in university. Between SRAs, office staff and security, there is always someone available to provide help in halls if students need it 24/7. Further information can be found on the Warden and Student Residence Advisers (SRAs) page.
- Is London and UCL a safe place to study?
UCL is a safe university and does not have a high crime rate; however, crime can occur as we are based in central London, and parts of the university are open to the public. As with any other city, there are certain things that students should be aware of in order to stay safe whilst they are living in London. The majority of crime in and around the campus tends to involve unattended valuables including phones, laptops, bags, and bicycles. Guidance about safety around London and on campus can be found here
Support
- What support is provided for disabled students?
Our aim is to promote and implement an inclusive learning and teaching environment, allowing students to study as independently as possible during their time at UCL. This page provides information on the support available for students with learning difficulties, disabilities and long-term health conditions. Information on who and how we can support can be found here.
- Is there any academic support provided if my child is struggling?
All UCL students on taught programmes are assigned a Personal Tutor, who is there to offer guidance and support on matters relating to the students’ academic progress, their personal or professional development, and general wellbeing. Information about Personal Tutors can be found on the Academic support pages
- How will you support my child transitioning to university life?
The Academic support pages give some clear guidance as to the various ways we support our students to adapt to studying and living at university. As well as Personal Tutors first-year undergraduate students, will also have a Transition Mentor, who is a student from the same department in the year above. Mentors will be available for an informal discussion about university life and to help students settle in. We also offer connected learning courses, Linkedin learning videos and a variety of online modules around research and digital skills to name a few.
Employment
- Will my child be able to get employment while studying to help fund their studies?
It is important to emphasise that academic work should take priority but UCL does offer advice and working opportunities for students whilst they are studying. UCLU’s JobShop service can help students find flexible part-time employment. Depending on a student’s immigration status there may be restrictions on employment and further information can be found here. One of the benefits of studying and living in London is that there are many opportunities to find paid part-time work.
- Can you help my child find a job once they graduate?
Our Careers team are on hand to support students in the different stages of their career planning. They offer a wider range of resources, events and services to support students in exploring and pursuing their future career plans. Information on how students are supported can be found on the UCL Careers pages.