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Undergraduate FAQs
Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc
- How many places are there?
To be confirmed
- Do you limit the number of students that you take from a particular school?
No, we do not impose any limits like this. We simply seek to recruit the strongest set of students for a limited number of places. To do that, we will look at applications as a whole - including grades, evidence of an interest in, commitment to, and aptitude for the subject(s).
- Can I receive a contextual offer?
Please see the UCL contextual offers information.
- Can I transfer to the PPE programme?
Unfortunately not. We do not accept any external transfers, as we prefer to keep cohorts intact and in fairness to the number of competitive applications we receive each year.
- How much prior knowledge of economics/mathematics do I need?
The ECON1001 Economics module must be taken (and passed) by all PPE students in the first year, not just those in the Politics and Economics concentration. It would be beneficial to familiarise yourself before the beginning of the programme with a maths knowledge of:
(1) Differentiation its use in solving single-variable maximisation and minimisation problems. That is the appropriate use of first order and second order conditions.
(2) Basic algebra to manipulating equations to find the value of unknown variables, or relationships between variables.
(3) Experience with basic MS Excel manipulations (plotting data, finding averages, variances).
(4) Interpreting graphs and functional relationships, including knowledge of monotonicity, intercepts, of course convexity and concavity.
- What are the Maths requirements?
A* Maths in A Level is required.
Higher Level 7 in Maths in the International Baccalaureate is required.
- What are you looking for in the personal statement?
What makes you a particularly good person to take up a place on the UCL PPE programme? What are you curious about? Are there particular features of the socio-economic world that intrigue you? Are there societal problems that puzzle or trouble you? Why?
We recommend making sure to mention and explain why you are interested in all three subjects: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
The personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate to us a range of features of your application that we would otherwise not be able to discern. We would like to admit students who have a strong interest and aptitude for the sort of interdisciplinary social scientific and philosophical programme that we offer. Note that, while we value interdisciplinarity, it is perfectly understandable that you may expect to lean more towards one or other of our subject areas.
- Do you accept resits?
Once only resits are acceptable for this programme.
- There were extenuating/mitigating circumstances during my exams. What should I do?
If you have been ill at any point leading up to or during the examination period, or have any other mitigating circumstances, then you should submit these to the examination board via your school. Mitigating circumstances will not be considered by UCL.
- Am I eligible to apply with a grade A in A Level Mathematics in view of the fact that the A* grade was not available when I sat the examination?
The application would be considered in relation to the grade criteria that were available at the time the qualification was taken. Admissions would also look closely at the individual module results for evidence of ability to obtain an A* grade.
- How will UCL receive notification of my results?
Each year UCAS sends UCL thousands of examination results directly. However, they are only able to do this for certain examinations such, as GCE A Levels.
The UCAS Sending Exam Results page contains a full list of qualifications that are sent to us by UCAS. If yours isn't there, you'll need to send your results in.
UCL will contact all Firm offer holders from June onwards to let them know how we expect to receive their results, providing instructions if we need them submitted to us directly.
- What should I read before applying to or starting the PPE programme?
The admissions team will provide a list of recommended readings, curated by the programme directors, during the summer. We generally advise students to wait until they arrive on campus before purchasing textbooks. This allows you to receive up-to-date guidance from your lecturers and potentially purchase discounted second-hand books from continuing students.
- Does PPE have a study abroad module or year?
Students are able to apply to Study Abroad after their first year on the programme and this is dependent on the grades they receive for that year. Students who follow this option will complete their degree in four years, rather than three, taking their final year options in the fourth year having returned from their year abroad.
- Can I visit the Department in Tavistock Square?
The Political Science department is not open outside the University /Department open/offer holder days, but prospective students thinking of applying to UCL are normally welcome to have a look round college grounds at any time, to experience the character and atmosphere. For information on UCL Campus tours, please visit: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/campus-tours
- Are there any scholarships or grants available for students, and how can I apply for them?
Unfortunately we do not have any scholarships or grants available in this department. For a list of central available scholarships, we would suggest using the scholarship finder tool here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/scholarships-finder.
Politics and International Relations BSc
- How many places are there?
To be confirmed
- Do you limit the number of students that you take from a particular school?
No, we do not impose any limits like this. We simply seek to recruit the strongest set of students for a limited number of places. To do that, we will look at applications as a whole - including grades, evidence of an interest in, commitment to, and aptitude for the subject(s).
- Can I receive a contextual offer?
Please see the UCL contextual offers information.
- Can I transfer to the BSc Politics and International Relations programme?
Unfortunately not. We do not accept any external transfers, as we prefer to keep cohorts intact and in fairness to the number of competitive applications we receive each year.
- What are you looking for in the personal statement?
What makes you a particularly good person to take up a place on the UCL Politics & International Relations programme? What are you curious about? Are there particular features of the socio-economic world that intrigue you? Are there societal problems that puzzle or trouble you? Why?
The personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate to us a range of features of your application that we would otherwise not be able to discern. We would like to admit students who have a strong interest and aptitude for the sort of interdisciplinary social scientific and philosophical programme that we offer. Note that, while we value interdisciplinarity, it is perfectly understandable that you may expect to lean more towards one or other of our subject areas.
- Do you accept resits?
Yes, we will accept both GCSE and A Level resits.
- There were extenuating/mitigating circumstances during my exams. What should I do?
We appreciate that a candidate's exams may have been affected by extenuating circumstances. But any special consideration must be applied by the Examination Board.
UCL's policy is that mitigating circumstances are a matter for Exam Boards and should be considered at the time of the exams. As UCL can only accept the final grades awarded by the awarding body. If you have not done so already, we recommend that either yourself or your school share this information with your examination board(s). This is so that they can make any allowances in advance of examinations.
- How will UCL receive notification of my results?
Each year UCAS sends UCL thousands of examination results directly. However, they are only able to do this for certain examinations such, as GCE A Levels.
The UCAS Sending Exam Results page contains a full list of qualifications that are sent to us by UCAS. If yours isn't there, you'll need to send your results in.
UCL will contact all Firm offer holders from June onwards to let them know how we expect to receive their results, providing instructions if we need them submitted to us directly.
- What should I read before applying to or starting the BSc Politics and International Relations programme?
The admissions team will provide a list of recommended readings, curated by the programme directors, during the summer. We generally advise students to wait until they arrive on campus before purchasing textbooks. This allows you to receive up-to-date guidance from your lecturers and potentially purchase discounted second-hand books from continuing students.
- Can I visit the Department in Tavistock Square?
The Political Science department is not open outside the University /Department open/offer holder days, but prospective students thinking of applying to UCL are normally welcome to have a look round college grounds at any time, to experience the character and atmosphere. For information on UCL Campus tours, please visit: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/campus-tours/
- What happens if I am ill leading up to or during the exam period?
If you have been ill at any point leading up to or during the examination period, or have any other mitigating circumstances, then you should submit these to the examination board via your school. Mitigating circumstances will not be considered by UCL.