What is the University College London Acceptance Rate?

What is the University College London Acceptance Rate?

University College London (UCL), London’s global university, is a highly reputable university known for its multidisciplinary excellence. This is reflected in its rankings, consistently ranking among the top universities worldwide with 10 subject areas offered at UCL being ranked in the global top 10 this year (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024). It is included in the elite G5 group of some of the top universities in the UK.

Gaining admission to such a prestigious institution is highly competitive and attracts the most talented and driven individuals. The acceptance rates at UCL, however, vary by program and degree level. Understanding these acceptance rates provides valuable insights into the competitiveness of UCL’s admissions and helps prospective students gauge their chances of a successful application to study at UCL. 

Whether you are a student aiming to apply to UCL or a parent supporting your child through the application process, read on to discover more about the UCL acceptance rates and how we can help you boost your chances of submitting a successful application.

Applying to UCL? Read our in-depth guides on the application process to give yourself an edge:

• How to get into UCL
• How hard is it to get into UCL?

The Recent History of UCL Acceptance Rates 

In recent years, UCL’s acceptance rates have mirrored the university’s rising popularity and stringent admissions standards. As one of the top institutions globally, UCL has seen a significant increase in the number of applications, largely driven by its reputation for cutting-edge research, diverse academic programs, and location (situated in the heart of London.)

Acceptance rates across all degrees have become increasingly competitive, particularly in fields such as medicine, law and engineering. The data from University College London admissions shows undergraduate acceptance rates over time: 

*Here, and throughout this guide, we are defining the acceptance rate as the % of applicants who were offered a place by UCL. The number who then took up that place is lower – some accept places at other universities, others intend to accept their UCL offer but miss their grades.

Of course, acceptance rates vary across all degrees offered at UCL. The UCL Faculty of Life Sciences, for example, had an overall acceptance rate of 24.4% in the 2023/24 cycle. This acceptance rate is a combined average of all programs offered under the UCL Faculty of Life Sciences. A breakdown of the acceptance rate for the specific degree can be found below: 

UCL Acceptance Rates by Faculty, 2023/24

There are eleven different faculties offering undergraduate courses at University College London. Breaking down the acceptance rates by faculty offers some interesting insights into your chances of being accepted to UCL.

From this data, we can see that most UCL Faculties have an acceptance rate of roughly 20-30%, with some notable exceptions. Population Health Sciences (the smallest faculty by far) has the highest acceptance rate, at just over 50%, with Arts and Humanities the second highest at 39.7%.

Law is by far the most competitive Faculty at UCL, with an acceptance rate of just 8%, while Built Environment (which includes degrees like Architecture) is the second most competitive, with an acceptance rate of 15.6%.

UCL Degrees with the Lowest Acceptance Rates, 2023/4

The hardest degrees to get into at UCL come from a wide mix of disciplines. Surprisingly, given that it is part of the faculty with one of the highest acceptance rate, the most competitive degrees at UCL are in the Fine Arts, with an acceptance rate of just over 6%. Other highly competitive degrees include Psychology, Computer Science, Management, Medicine, and Economics.

For more information on the offer and acceptance rates for Medicine at UCL, and how they compare to other top universities, take a look at our G5 Medicine acceptance rates guide.

UCL Degrees with Highest Acceptance Rates, 2023/4

The degrees with the highest acceptance rates at UCL all offer places to more than 50% of applicants. The highest acceptance rate of any degree is Greek & Latin, with more than 75% of applicants being made offers. One notable aspect of these degrees is that they receive comparatively few applicants compared to the most competitive courses.

The degrees above may be considered the easiest to get into at UCL.

Factors that Influence Acceptance Rates

The most significant factor influencing acceptance rates at UCL is, of course, academic performance of applicants. UCL prioritises high grades and strong standardised test scores, often using a ‘cut-off’ value, below which they will not regard an applicant’s application. This is to ensure that all students will be able to thrive in its rigorous programs. The competitiveness of specific programs also plays a crucial role, where courses in high-demand fields, including the likes of medicine, law and architecture, typically have lower acceptance rates due to the volume of applicants and the limited number of places available.

Acceptance rates are not only influenced by academic achievement, however, as numerous other factors come into play in determining annual acceptance rates for each specific course. Of particular note are demographic factors, including the balance of international versus domestic applicants, where UCL maintains a balanced and diverse student body, the number of deferred entries from the preceding year and also annual changes in application volume. Additional factors influencing acceptance rates include things such as: 

• The increasingly competitive applicant pool, with an increasing number of high-achieving applicants demonstrating academic excellence as well as a wide range of extracurricular hobbies;
• Increasing application volume as UCL is ranked higher as a global educational institution each year, increasing its prestige and reputation. 

In general, these factors tend to intertwine to lower acceptance rates year-on-year. 

Read our guide on how to get into UCL to learn more about the application process and how you can an advantage.

The Latest UCL Admission Cycle

The 2023/24 UCL admissions cycle saw competition for each degree on offer even more fierce than the preceding admissions cycle.

UCL has 11 faculties of education, each attracting a high number of applicants per available spot. Details of the applicants (in the most recent admissions cycle) per place available are listed below: 

• Faculty of Arts and Humanities: 7.7 applicants per place
• Faculty of Brain Sciences: 13.8 applicants per place
• Faculty of the Built Environment: 13.0 applicants per place
• Faculty of Engineering Sciences: 13.9 applicants per place
• Institute of Education: 9.3 applicants per place
• Faculty of Law: 25.8 applicants per place
• Faculty of Life Sciences: 12.3 applicants per place
• Faculty of Math. And Physical Sciences: 10.7 applicants per place
• Faculty of Medical Sciences: 6.7 applicants per place
• Faculty of Population Health Sciences: 6.7 applicants per place
• Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences: 10.3 applicants per place

A more detailed breakdown of the 2023/24 admissions cycle can be found here.

Holistic Admissions Process

UCL enlists a holistic admissions process aimed at evaluating applicants based on a broad range of factors, beyond just academic achievements. Their comprehensive admissions approach includes a thorough review of personal statements, which allows candidates to convey their passions, motivations, and suitability for their chosen program.

Although academic excellence is most heavily weighted, an applicant’s demonstration of involvement in extracurricular activities and relevant experiences are also assessed, highlighting leadership skills, creativity, and their likely commitment to the UCL community. By enlisting a holistic approach UCL ensures that its student body is not only academically capable but also dynamic and multifaceted. 

How does the UCL Acceptance Rate Compare with Other Russell Group Universities?

The acceptance rate at UCL is generally competitive when compared with other Russell Group universities, reflecting its status as one of the top institutions in the UK. It is comparable to other top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London. Other Russell Group universities, such as the University of Edinburgh, also maintain rigorous admission standards, though their acceptance rates may be slightly higher than those of UCL. You can read our full guide to Russell Group universities’ acceptance rates for more information.

A direct comparison of overall acceptance rates between universities needs to be done with caution, as each course on offer has varying acceptance rates. You can find details of each of these acceptance rates from the UCL admissions website or for specific academic cycles, such as the 2022/23 cycle, here. 

How can Dukes Plus Help you Succeed? 

At Dukes Plus, 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