How Hard is it to get into UCL?

University College London (UCL), London’s global university, is a highly reputable university known for its multidisciplinary excellence. Situated in the heart of London and consistently ranked among the top 10 universities globally for the past 13 years, this highly prestigious institution faces intense competition for admission. 

Through this guide we will discuss reasons why UCL holds such a prestigious reputation, the entry requirements to various undergraduate and graduate courses at UCL, how to make your application stand out from other applicants and how Dukes Plus can help you succeed in your application. 

Whether you are a student aiming to apply to UCL or a parent supporting your child through the application process, this article will prove invaluable. Learn more about the application requirements and how to make your UCL application stand out to improve your chances of receiving an offer.  

Is UCL a Good University? 

In short, yes. UCL is a world-renowned university, with students excelling in over 400 undergraduate courses where 10 subject areas offered at UCL are in the global top 10 (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024.) As such, these subject areas are also some of the most competitive to gain admission to, notably: Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Anthropology and Medicine. Importantly, academic excellence at UCL is not just limited to these subject areas, where UCL also appears in the same ranking in all 46 subject areas on offer at UCL that are ranked, featuring in the top 50 for 43 of them. 

The success of UCL students is not only a recent phenomenon. Founded in 1826, UCL boasts numerous alumni with  remarkable career highlights, including thirty Nobel laureates. Some particularly notable alumni include: 

  •  Francis Crick: Co-discovered the structure of the DNA molecule. 
  • Christopher Nolan: Acclaimed film director and screenwriter. 
  •  Mahatma Gandhi: Leader of the Indian Independence movement against British rule. 
  • Kaitlin Fritz and Olga Kravchenk: Co-founders of award-winning education technology start up Musemio. 

These alumni illustrate the diverse and far-reaching impact of a UCL education. UCL graduates excel in all educational disciplines, as such, our career experience opportunities can help you to narrow down which subjects you’d like to study and hence apply for at UCL!

The Entry Requirements for UCL

The UCL admissions process is highly competitive. As such, it is essential to understand the admissions process, what is required to gain admission and what can help your application to stand out prior to submitting your application. 

This section breaks down the entry requirements UCL employs to evaluate its applicants :

Academic Achievements

UCL receives a large number of applicants – the 2022 admissions cycle saw more than 22,000 applicants for undergraduate programmes on offer. To be considered as an applicant, you must meet (or be predicted to meet) the minimum academic requirements.

 These requirements vary across various programmes. Standard entrance requirements for students taking A-levels are in the range of A*A*A – ABB whilst for the International Baccalaureate it is a 19 point overall score with a score of 19 in higher level subjects. According to UCL, students should have a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, but some subject areas require higher scores. For more details on the standard entrance requirements click here.

For graduate entry, students are required to have obtained a first or second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university in an appropriate subject (or the equivalent standard overseas qualification.) Some programs may also require the GMAT or GRE General Test.

Of note is the Access UCL scheme on offer at UCL, where contextual offers (lower than standard offers) can be given to students that are eligible for the scheme. 

UCL Admissions Tests

For undergraduate entry, a small number of courses require students to have taken specific admissions tests in the year of application. For application to study medicine, for example, students are required to have taken the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). Similarly, for application to study Computer Science UCL has introduced the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Details of admissions testing for each undergraduate course can be found on the individual undergraduate course program pages. 

For graduate entry, some programs require students to have taken the GMAT or GRE General Test. Details of these can be found on the individual graduate course programme pages. 

Academic Pursuits Outside of the Curriculum

Academic pursuits outside of the curriculum are an excellent way to showcase your interest and commitment to your chosen field of study. Additionally, highlighting skills beyond academic achievements, such as leadership and communication skills, can strengthen your application by showcasing traits that will be valuable in the professional world. 

A simple way to improve your application is through reading academic papers related to your chosen subject area and showcasing your knowledge through your personal statement. UCL is a research-driven university, thus any papers presenting innovative research that particularly interest you are likely to make your application stand out. 

Extracurricular Activities

Although UCL does not take extracurricular pursuits into great consideration, they do still bear some weight in an application. Showcasing your interests outside of academia not only highlights that you are a well-rounded individual but also helps demonstrate essential characteristics, such as leadership, which are valuable across all degrees. 

Why is it Difficult to get into UCL? 

The difficulty in obtaining an offer to study at UCL lies in the number of applicants it receives each year. In 2022 alone, UCL reported receiving over 22,000 applicants applying for their undergraduate courses. Inevitably, some courses more than others have tougher selection criteria / more competition. Some of the most competitive courses to gain entry to at UCL include Medicine, Law and Architecture. 

Additionally, UCL prides itself on being London’s global university, boasting a hugely diverse student and staff population. This attracts many students, making the application process even more competitive. 

At Dukes Plus we are here to support your application to UCL to help improve your chances of converting that application into an offer. Make use of our free consulting services and let us guide you through the admissions process for a successful application. 

What Subjects are Hardest to get Accepted into? 

Inevitably, some subjects tend to be more popular, and thus more competitive to gain an offer for at UCL. According to the admissions report for the 2013-2023 cycles the most competitive courses, and those with the most applicants, are: 

Most competitive

CourseAcceptance rate
BA Fine Art3.7%
LLB Law9.1%
BSc Statistics and Management for Business9.4%
BA Media9.5%
BSc Architecture11%
BSc Psychology11%
MSci Architecture11%

Most applicants

CourseNumber of applicants
LLB Law4189
BSc Economics4133
MBBS Medicine3961
BSc Computer Science2916
BSc Psychology2403
BSc Architecture2203
BSc Biomedical Sciences2033

How can Duke Plus help your University College London Application Succeed? 

At Dukes, we provide support for applications to various universities across the world, including UCL. Our programs offer personalised guidance and strategic advice to strengthen your UCL application. 

We can support you to identify and showcase your unique strengths, align your application with UCL’s values, and effectively communicate your accomplishments and potential contributions to the admissions committee. 

Speak to an Admissions Expert

For more information on how Dukes Plus can assist with your UCL application, book a free consultation today.