What Can You Study at University College London?

Introduction

University College London (UCL), founded in 1826, is widely recognised as a prestigious and prominent institution. Located in the heart of London, UCL is well-known for being home to one of the most diverse student populations both in the UK and worldwide. 2024 marks UCL’s 13^th consecutive year in the top 10 universities globally (2024 QS World University Ranking), demonstrating its commitment to academic excellence.

This excellence is not restricted to solely one field, however, where 10 subjects offered at UCL were ranked in the top 10 in the world in 2024 (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024). Through this guide you’ll gain insights into the diverse academic fields on offer at UCL, as well as the most popular fields of study.

What Can You Study at University College London?

UCL is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary universities, offering 20 fields of study and over 400 undergraduate degrees to choose from. Each degree offers comprehensive and in depth learning of the chosen subject, with the potential to cater your learning to niches that most interest you, as well as the potential to study abroad for periods of the degree.

The fields of study on offer at UCL are vast, ranging from Economics and Politics to Media and Fine Art. Each field of study offers numerous specific degrees. The fields of study are listed below, for more detail on the specific undergraduate degrees offered click here.

Popular Fields of Study

UCL offers a vast range of undergraduate courses, making it a multidisciplinary centre of learning. Some fields of study are more popular than others however, thus competition to receive an offer to study at UCL for certain degrees is high. Some of the most popular and esteemed fields of study, all ranking in the top ten globally (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024) include: 

• Education (ranked 1^st place)
• Architecture & Built Environment (ranked 1^st place)
• Archaeology (ranked 3^rd place)
• Anthropology (ranked 4^th place)
• Pharmacy & Pharmacology (ranked 4^th place)
•  Psychology (ranked 5^th place)
• Medicine (ranked 6^th place)
• Biological Sciences (ranked 6^th place)
• Geography (ranked 7^th place)
•  Anatomy & Physiology (ranked 8^th place)

Get into contact with our consultants for help on narrowing down which field of study is most suited to you.

Graduate and Professional Schools at University College London

In addition to world-class undergraduate education, UCL offers excellent graduate programmes as well. Join over 20,000 graduate students studying either taught degrees, research degrees or teacher training in one of more than 650 graduate degree courses.

UCL houses several undergraduate/graduate schools of teaching, all with distinct locations on its campus. Some of the most impressive and successful schools of education at UCL include, but are not limited to: 

The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment

Bartlett is an impressive cornerstone of UCL, hosting degree programmes for those interested in building their career in architecture, urban design, planning, construction, public policy, environment, energy and resources. It is formed of 13 schools and institutions across a variety of disciplines, fostering an environment of collaboration, creativity and innovation. Find out more about graduate courses on offer here.

UCL Medical School

In 2024 UCL was ranked 6^th in the world for Medicine and 1^st in London (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.) UCL Medical school offers a rigorous and renowned medical education to its students (both undergraduate and graduate), underpinned by the vision of the UCL Doctor describing an individual who is highly capable, a patient-centred clinician and equipped to practice medicine in a professional, inclusive, and sustainable way. The graduate course offered is one year shorter than the undergraduate, where graduates are not expected to complete the intercalation year in their 3^rd year of study. 

UCL Faculty of Law

UCL Law prides itself on offering a diverse and progressive community of researchers, students, leading academics and alumni. Whether you are studying at undergraduate or graduate level, UCL law offers a unique experience to study and practice in London, a hub for learning and innovation. 

Graduate learning at UCL is highly flexible in order to accommodate for various stages of life. Various modes of study are on offer including: 

Full-time study: These programmes are generally completed in either one year (for Master’s programmes), nine months (for Postgraduate Diploma programmes) or approximately four months (for Postgraduate Certificate programmes). 

Part-time study: These programmes are generally completed over two years.

Modular/flexible study: These programmes can take a maximum of five years to complete where study is taken on a module-by-module basis.

Distance learning: Some programmes are offered either fully or partially via distance learning. These are usually taken on a modular/flexible basis. 

Find out more about the various models of graduate study at UCL here.

Special Programs on Offer at University College London

In order to support continuing professional development as well as general interest some academic departments at UCL offer modules from taught programmes and/or short courses and summer schools. There are a plethora of short courses on offer to study at UCL ranging from ‘Accessible Theatre’ to ‘Aesthetic Dentistry’. Find out more details on courses available, as well as timings of lectures/seminars and costs here.

Looking to Study at University College London?

At Dukes, we provide support for applications to various universities across the world, including University College London. 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