Section 2: Entrance Requirements

Published for 2023-24

2.1 Entrance Requirements	2.6 English Language Requirements
2.2 Undergraduate Entrance Requirements	2.7 Additional requirements for entry to courses of Initial Teacher Education
2.3 Taught Postgraduate Entrance Requirements	2.8 University Preparatory Certificate
2.4 Other Qualifications	2.9 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Entry to UCL
2.5 Suspension of Regulations

2.1 Entrance Requirements

2.1.1 General

1.	Applicants’ qualifications must satisfy the specific degree programme requirements which are outlined in the programme descriptions given in the Prospectus for the year of application.
2.	The requirements for individual programmes are set out in the Prospectus.
3.	Applicants will not be admitted below the benchmark level without the advance approval of the Vice-Provost (Education & Student Experience) and cases for consideration should be submitted by Faculty Tutors to the Vice-Provost (Education & Student Experience), via Admissions in Student & Registry Services.

2.1.2 Admissions Tests

1.	Competitive programmes my use appropriate selection methods, such as admissions tests, as approved by the Director of Access and Admissions.
2.	Where a programme requires a test, test requirements are set out in the Prospectus.

2.2 Undergraduate Entrance Requirements

2.2.1 A Levels

1.	UCL’s entry requirement range is AAA–ABB.
2.	UCL has a benchmark entry level of ABB at GCE A level and does not make offers of admission with any grades lower than B.
3.	For further information about the acceptability of A Level subjects see Preferred A Level Subjects.

2.2.2 GCSE and Equivalent Qualifications

1.	All UCL programmes require GCSE or equivalent passes in English Language and Mathematics at grade 5 / C or higher.
2.	Some programmes require additional GCSE passes in specific subjects or higher grades than 5 / C in English Language and/or Mathematics, as outlined in the programme descriptions given in the Prospectus for the year of application.

2.2.3 Access UCL and Contextual Data

1.	The Access UCL scheme is aimed at UK domiciled applicants who are from underrepresented groups, including students from areas of low progression to higher education and those from less advantaged backgrounds including those from low performing schools.
2.	Eligible applicants will be automatically flagged when UCL receives the application from UCAS.
3.	Applicants must be UK domiciled and be attending/have attended a state school for post-16 study and meet one of the following criteria: Home postcode in the lowest POLAR quintile Home postcode in bottom 20% of Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Home postcode in Acorn groups L,M,O, P or Q
4.	Care leavers, estranged students and young carers are automatically eligible, provided they are attending or attended a state school for post 16 study. A care leaver is a person aged 25 or under who has been looked after by a local authority for three months in their life. The months do not need to be consecutive.
	Further Guidance
1.	Access UCL is not a guaranteed offer scheme. All subject specific requirements, personal statements and additional entry tests will be still assessed when making offers.

2.3 Taught Postgraduate Entrance Requirements

2.3.1 Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Taught Masters and Graduate Diplomas/Certificates

1.	UCL requires a UK Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject, awarded with first or second-class Honours, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard from a university or educational institution of university rank.
2.	For some taught programmes, an applicant whose qualifications, although otherwise acceptable, are of lower standard may be admitted if evidence of an adequate academic background and experience in an appropriate field can be shown. In certain instances, applicants may be required to pursue the programme over an extended period of time (including a qualifying year) and/or pass a qualifying essay or examination before being registered for the degree programme.
3.	Applicants must meet any entry conditions set by UCL by the start of the academic year in which they expect to begin their studies.
4.	Some programmes take into account individual professional and work experience for admissions purposes. Please refer to the Prospectus or relevant Department/ Division for details of specific entry requirements.

2.3.2 Research Masters (MRes)

1.	A UK Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject, awarded with first or upper second-class Honours, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard from a university or educational institution of university rank is required.

2.4 Other Qualifications

1.	UCL will consider a wide variety of UK and international qualifications for entry to its taught programmes. The requirements for these qualifications are provided at programme level on the Prospectus.
2.	It should be noted that some programmes require specific subject knowledge, and each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.
3.	In addition to the required grades, the acceptability of qualifications can be dependent on the type, content and length of the degree programme studied as well as the institution attended.

2.5 Suspension of Regulations

2.5.1 Admission to Undergraduate Programmes via Special Entrance

The term “special entrance” is applied to applicants seeking admission who hold qualifications which do not satisfy UCL’s benchmark entry requirement or programme-specific entry requirements. All students offering non-standard qualifications are expected to demonstrate the same level of academic potential as those offering standard qualifications. To be considered for special entrance, the applicant must possess one of the following types of qualification:

an appropriate academic qualification other than a degree from a recognised university or other institution
an intermediate or equivalent examination towards the award of a degree by a recognised university, or institution of similar status, plus passes in an appropriate number of subjects at GCSE level or the equivalent
a qualification gained by examination which satisfies the entrance requirements for admission to a recognised university outside the UK
a qualification gained by examination and which is necessary for admission to membership (Associateship, Corporate Membership or the equivalent) of a recognised professional body or leading to appointment in another field of public service
recognised qualifications that fall short of the benchmark requirements but are supplemented by additional recent study over a sustained period of time. Applicants in this category must demonstrate that they have achieved sufficient competence in their chosen field of study to justify admission.

Admissions tutors wishing to recommend an applicant for special entrance should provide full details to the Faculty Tutor. The Faculty Tutor then decides whether or not the applicant’s case should be forwarded to the Director of Access and Admissions via Admissions for consideration. The decision of the Director of Access and Admissions in such matters is final.

2.5.2 Admission to Taught Postgraduate Programmes & Postgraduate Research Programmes via Special Entrance, a Qualifying Essay, Examination or Qualifying Year

The term “special entrance” is applied to applicants seeking admission who hold qualifications which do not satisfy UCL’s benchmark or programme-specific entry requirements. Application for a suspension of regulations should be submitted via Admissions. Requests to suspend English Language regulations will not normally be approved.

Candidates who do not satisfy UCL's minimum or programme specific entrance requirements may be admitted subject to the approval of the Director of Access and Admissions and satisfactory completion of a qualifying essay, examination or a qualifying year. Approval should be sought via Admissions. All qualifying essays and examinations are set by the admitting Department. Wherever possible the assessment of a qualifying essay or examination should include external moderation. In accordance with UCL regulations, a qualifying essay or examination need not necessarily be restricted to a formal written examination. The structure of a qualifying year is determined by the admitting Department having regard to the candidate's academic background and subject to the approval of the Director of Access and Admissions. All qualifying examinations/years must be completed and assessed prior to a candidate embarking upon the relevant Master's or research programme. Candidates will not normally be permitted to retake a qualifying essay, examination or qualifying year.

Alternatively, students offering non-standard qualifications are expected to demonstrate the same level of academic potential as those offering standard qualifications. To be considered for special entrance, the applicant must present evidence of one of the following:

a third-class honours degree (or international equivalent) would be required to hold at least one year of relevant full-time work experience for a suspension of regulation request to be considered.
PGR applicants holding a lower second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) would be required to hold at least one year of relevant full-time work experience for a suspension of regulation request to be considered.
a recognised degree with below a third-class honours (or international equivalent) would be required to hold at least three years of relevant full-time work experience for a suspension of regulation request to be considered.
an awarded qualification equivalent to a UK bachelors honours degree by a university, or institution of similar status, recognised by ENIC, but not currently accepted by UCL for entry.
qualification gained by examination and which is necessary for admission to membership (Associateship, Corporate Membership or the equivalent) of a recognised professional body or leading to appointment in a field of public service, and at least one year of relevant work experience within the relevant field.
an applicant does not hold a formal qualification but has at least five years of relevant work experience.

2.6 English Language Requirements

2.6.1 General

1.	All students seeking admission to UCL (including EU and Overseas), who are not a national of a United Kingdom Home Office “majority English speaking” country, are required to provide recent evidence that their command of spoken and written English is adequate for the programme of study for which they have applied.
2.	UCL specifies the need for its undergraduate and graduate students to have adequate English in order to ensure that their academic progress is not hindered by language difficulties and that students are able to integrate socially whilst studying at UCL and living in this country.
3.	UCL's English language proficiency policy has been approved by the relevant committees of UCL's Academic Committee. This policy places responsibility on faculty and departmental admissions tutors in deciding, to at least UCL’s minimum standard level requirement, the level of English language proficiency that their students must meet.
4.	UCL considers all applicants who meet its English language requirements to meet or exceed the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 level in reading, writing, speaking and listening. UCL makes use of the CEFR to benchmark its English language requirements framework.
5.	EU exchange students and EU students entering UCL on a partnership agreement can satisfy UCL’s English language requirements by meeting CEFR B2 level, subject to departmental approval.

2.6.2 Programme Specific English Language Requirements

1.	All applicants are advised to check any programme specific English Language requirements by consulting the Prospectus.
2.	Applicants should be aware that UCL reserves the right to ask for higher English Language requirements in individual cases.

2.6.3 Evidence of meeting UCL English language requirements

A national of one of the following countries, which the UK Home Office lists as ‘majority English speaking’:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom or United States of America.

Completed a minimum of twelve months academic education leading to an awarded qualification, no more than two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment (or the summer two years prior to enrolment if starting in September), in one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon (only if the qualification is taught in English), Canada, Caribbean / West Indies (English-speaking Caribbean Commonwealth territories), Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada , Guyana, Ireland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Malta (only if the qualification is taught in English), Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, The Netherlands (where the degree is taught entirely in English), Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.

English language courses and study preparation courses such as pre-Masters are not acceptable. All qualifications must have been studied in the country of the awarding institution.

Taken English language as part of one of the following school leaving qualifications, no more than the summer two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment:

Country	Requirement
Austria	Matura/Reifeprufung, 2 (gut) in English when both written and oral examinations have been taken.
Belgium	Diploma van Secundair or the Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Superieur, the equivalent of 8.5/85% grote onderscheiding/avec grande distinction in English.
Brunei	Brunei-Cambridge GCE O Level English at grade C in English.
Denmark	Studentereksamen, 7/12 in English.
European Baccalaureate	7.5 in English as either an Obligatory Subject (Language I or II) or as a Full Option (Language III or IV).
Finland	Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen matriculation examination, 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) in English.
France	Baccalaureat General or OIB, 13 (assez bien) in English, where the co-efficient applied to the subject is greater than 1.
Germany	Abitur, 12 (gut) in English when taken as an achievement/main/intensive course.
Iceland	Studentsprof matriculation examination, 8 in English when taken as a compulsory modern language.
Luxembourg	Examen de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires, 46/60 (bien) in English.
Netherlands	Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) diploma, 7 (ruim voldoende) in English.
Norway	Vitnemal - videregaende opplaering, 4/6 in English.
Sweden	Avgangsbetyg, VG (val godkant) in English.
Switzerland	Maturitatzeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato de Maturita federal maturity certificate or the federally-recognised cantonal maturity certificate, 4.5 in English.

4.	Taken one of the following tests no more than two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment:

Test	Scores Required
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (Certificate of Advanced English)	Level 1: Overall score of 176 with 169 in all subtests Level 2: Overall score of 180 with 172 in all subtests Level 3: Overall score of 185 with 180 in all subtests Level 4: Overall score of 191 with 180 in all subtests Level 5: Overall score of 210 with 200 in all subtests
Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English)	Level 1: Overall score of 176 with 169 in all subtests Level 2: Overall score of 180 with 172 in all subtests Level 3: Overall score of 185 with 180 in all subtests Level 4: Overall score of 191 with 180 in all subtests Level 5: Overall score of 210 with 200 in all subtests
Cambridge Assessment International Education (formerly Cambridge International Examinations CIE) GCE Ordinary Level in English Language (1120, 1227,1228)	Level 1: Pass at grade C. Level 2: Pass at grade C. Level 3: Pass at grade B. Level 4: Pass at grade B. Level 5: Pass at grade A.
GCSE English Language	Level 1: Pass at grade C or 5 with Merit in spoken component (where applicable). Level 2: Pass at grade C or 5 with Merit in spoken component (where applicable). Level 3: Pass at grade B or 6 with Distinction in spoken component (where applicable). Level 4: Pass at grade B or 6 with Distinction in spoken component (where applicable). Level 5: Pass at grade A or 7 with Distinction in spoken component (where applicable).
IGCSE * Indicates that speaking and Listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate and the required grade achieved. Cambridge Assessment International Education (formerly Cambridge International Examinations) Cambridge IGCSE English - First Language (0500)* or (0990)* Cambridge IGCSE English - First Language (US) (0524)*	Level 1: Pass at grade C or 5 with Merit/grade 2 in speaking and listening endorsement. Level 2: Pass at grade C or 5 with Merit/grade 2 in speaking and listening endorsement. Level 3: Pass at grade B or 6 with Distinction/grade 1 in speaking and listening endorsement. Level 4: Pass at grade B or 6 with Distinction/grade 1 in speaking and listening endorsement. Level 5: Pass at grade A or 7 with Distinction/grade 1 in speaking and listening endorsement.
Cambridge Assessment International Education (formerly Cambridge International Examinations) Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (Speaking endorsement) (0510)* or (0993)* Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (Count-in speaking) (0511) or (0991)	Level 1: Pass at grade C or 5 with Merit/grade 2 in speaking and listening endorsement (where applicable). Level 2: Pass at grade B or 6 with Merit/ grade 2 in speaking and listening endorsement (where applicable). Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5: Not acceptable
Pearson Edexcel Edexcel IGCSE English Language A (4EA1)* or English Language B (4EB1)*	Level 1: Pass at grade C or 5 with Merit in speaking and listening endorsement. Level 2: Pass at grade C or 5 with Merit in speaking and listening endorsement. Level 3: Pass at grade B or 6 with Distinction in speaking and listening endorsement. Level 4: Pass at grade B or 6 with Distinction in speaking and listening endorsement. Level 5: Pass at grade A or 7 with Distinction in speaking and listening endorsement.
Pearson Edexcel Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language (4ES1)*	Level 1: Pass at 5 (or grade C) with pass in the spoken language component Level 2: Pass at 6 (or grade B) with pass in the spoken language component Level 3: Pass at 7 (or grade A) with pass in the spoken language component Level 4 and Level 5: Not acceptable
Oxford International AQA Examinations Oxford AQA IGCSE English Language (9270)*	Level 1: Pass at grade 5 with Merit in the speaking and listening component Level 2: Pass at grade 6 with Merit in the speaking and listening component Level 3: Pass at grade 7 with Distinction in the speaking and listening component Level 4: Pass at grade 8 with Distinction in speaking and listening component Level 5: Pass at grade 9 with Distinction in speaking and listening component
Oxford International AQA Examinations Oxford AQA IGCSE English as a Second Language (9280)	Level 1: Pass at grade 6 Level 2: Pass at grade 6 Level 3: Pass at grade 9 Level 4 and Level 5: Not acceptable
International Baccalaureate (IB) IB English Language A: Literature, IB English Language A: Language and Literature	Level 1: Grade 5 at either higher or standard level Level 2: Grade 6 at either higher or standard level Level 3: Grade 7 at either higher or standard level Level 4: Grade 7 at either higher or standard level Level 5: Grade 7 at either higher or standard level
International Baccalaureate (IB) IB English Language B	Level 1: Either grade 5 at higher level or grade 6 at standard level Level 2: Either grade 6 at higher level or grade 7 at standard level Level 3: Either grade 7 at higher level (not acceptable at standard level) Level 4: Either grade 7 at higher level (not acceptable at standard level) Level 5: Not acceptable
International Baccalaureate (IB) IB English Language A: Literature and Performance (standard level only)	Level 1: Grade 5 Level 2 and above: Not acceptable
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic	Level 1: Overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each component Level 2: Overall score of 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 in each component Level 3: Overall score of 7.0 and a minimum of 7.0 in each component Level 4: Overall score of 7.5 and a minimum of 7.0 in each component Level 5: Overall score of 8.0 and a minimum of 8.0 in each component
Occupational English Test (OET) for healthcare professionals to graduate study	Level 1: Minimum 300 (C+) numerical score overall, and a minimum of a 250 (C) in each component Level 2: Minimum 350 (B) numerical score overall, and a minimum of 300 (C+) in each component Level 3: Minimum 350 (B) numerical score overall, and a minimum of 350 (B) in each component Level 4: Minimum 400 (B) numerical score overall, and a minimum of 350 (B) in each component Level 5: Minimum 450 (A) numerical score overall, and a minimum of 450 (A) in each component
Pearson Test of English (Academic)	Level 1: Overall score of 75 with a minimum of 67 in each Communicative Skill Level 2: Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 75 in each Communicative Skill Level 3: Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 76 in each Communicative Skill Level 4: Overall score of 80 with a minimum of 76 each Communicative Skill Level 5: Overall score of 88 with a minimum of 80 in each Communicative Skill
Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT	Level 1: Overall score of 92 with 24/30 in reading and writing and 20/30 in speaking and listening Level 2: Overall score of 96 with 24/30 in reading and writing and 22/30 in speaking and listening Level 3: Overall score of 100 with 25/30 in reading and writing and 23/30 in speaking and listening. Level 4: Overall score of 109 with 27/30 in reading and writing and 23/30 in speaking and listening. Level 5: Overall score of 110 with 29/30 in reading and writing and 23 in in speaking and listening.
Trinity Integrated Skills in English level II (Trinity ISE II)	Level 1: Successful completion with a ‘merit’ in all components Level 2: Successful completion with a ‘distinction’ in all components Level 3: Not accepted Level 4: Not accepted Level 5: Not accepted
Trinity Integrated Skills in English level III (Trinity ISE III)	Level 1: Successful completion with a ‘pass’ in all components Level 2: Successful completion with a ‘pass’ in all components Level 3: Successful completion with ‘pass’ in all components Level 4: Successful completion with ‘distinction’ in all components Level 5: Not accepted
Trinity Integrated Skills in English level IV (Trinity ISE IV)	Level 1: Successful completion with a ‘pass’ in all components Level 2: Successful completion with a ‘pass’ in all components Level 3: Successful completion with a ‘pass’ in all components Level 4: Successful completion with a ‘pass’ in all components Level 5: Successful completion with a ‘pass’ in all components
UCL Centre for Languages and International Education - Diploma in English for Academic Purposes with Academic Research Skills	Level 1: Overall score of 65% and a minimum of 60% in each component Level 2: Overall score of 70% and a minimum of 65% in each component Level 3: Overall score of 70% and a minimum of 70% in each component Level 4: Overall score of 75% and a minimum of 70% in each component Level 5: Overall score of 80% and a minimum of 80% in each component
UCL Centre for Languages and International Education - Pre-Sessional English Language Courses	Level 1: Overall score of 65% and a minimum of 60% in each component Level 2: Overall score of 70% and a minimum of 65% in each component Level 3: Overall score of 70% and a minimum of 70% in each component Level 4: Overall score of 75% and a minimum of 70% in each component Level 5: Overall score of 80% and a minimum of 80% in each component
UCL Centre for Languages and International Education – Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (Academic English)	Level 1: Overall score of 65% and a minimum of 60% in each component Level 2: Overall score of 70% and a minimum of 65% in each component Level 3: Overall score of 70% and a minimum of 70% in each component Level 4: Overall score of 75% and a minimum of 70% in each component Level 5: Overall score of 80% and a minimum of 80% in each component

2.7 Additional requirements for entry to courses of Initial Teacher Education

2.7.1 General

1.	Applicants undertaking any course of initial teacher education must meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach. This will be assessed by an (or UCL’s) Occupational Health Provider through completion of a health questionnaire and, if necessary, a face-to-face assessment. Applicants are responsible for bearing the cost of this assessment.
2.	Applicants who accept an offer of a place on an initial teacher education course must be in possession of satisfactory clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service prior to the start of the programme, and must also comply with any additional safeguarding requirements in operation at the time of the programme.

2.8 University Preparatory Certificate

2.8.1 University Preparatory Certificate for Science & Engineering and University Preparatory Certificate for Humanities

1.	International applicants whose secondary education qualifications are not suitable for direct admission to leading UK universities may apply for a one-year programme for Science and Engineering or Humanities offered by UCL.
2.	Successful completion of the one-year programme may be used to apply for an undergraduate programme of study at UCL or other university.
3.	Entrance requirements by country can be obtained from the Centre for Languages and International Education (CLIE).
4.	All applicants are required to take an entrance test and further information can be obtained from the (CLIE).

2.9 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Entry to UCL

Please note that there are separate regulations and an initial assessment template for Degree Apprenticeship programmes – see Chapter 11, Section 6.1: Apprentice Support and Success/ Initial Assessment

2.9.1 Definitions

1.	The following regulations define the types and quantities of prior learning that may be considered for entry to a UCL Programme.
2.	Applicants wishing to apply for RPL should contact Admissions in Student & Registry Services.
3.	The Recognition of Prior Learning encompasses the following terms:

Term	Definition
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)	RPL is the overarching term for a process which allows students to apply for exemption from particular entry requirements, or from some parts of a Programme of Study, by recognition of their learning from previous experiences and achievements.
Accredited Prior Learning (APL)	A sub-set of RPL. APL is prior learning that has been formally assessed and certificated by a recognised institution.
Experiential Prior Learning (EPL)	A sub-set of RPL. EPL is the non-certified acquisition of relevant skills and knowledge, gained through relevant experience, which is capable of being evaluated.

4.	There are three main ways in which RPL can be applied:

Term	Definition
Initial Entry	For initial entry to a UCL Programme, where a student does not hold the precise entry requirements specified by UCL.
Advanced Entry	For advanced entry to a UCL Programme, where a student has already completed certified learning of a standard judged to be equitable with the UCL Programme to which the student is applying.
Internal Transfers	It may also be necessary to use RPL for transfers within UCL, where a student wishes to transfer to another Programme that has a significantly different structure.

2.9.2 Core Principles

1.	The acceptance of RPL is at the discretion of the admissions programme tutor and the Director of Access and Admissions in the first instance.
2.	Applicants are responsible for demonstrating to UCL that the prior learning evidences the required skills and knowledge, and that the learning is still current. UCL must be satisfied that, by successfully completing the remaining part of the Programme, the applicant will have had the opportunity to fulfil the Programme objectives and attain the standards required for the Qualification.
3.	If agreed, RPL becomes part of the agreement between UCL and the student.
4.	Modules for which RPL is granted and any variation in the student’s Programme of Study should be clearly defined when the offer of admission is made.
5.	RPL should neither advantage nor disadvantage a student over other students on a Programme.
6.	RPL cannot be used as an Extenuating Circumstance for underachievement in subsequent assessments.

2.9.3 Initial Entry

1.	RPL may be considered for initial entry to a UCL taught or research Programme where a student does not meet the standard entry requirements as defined in Section 2: Entrance Requirements and Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework e.g. a student holds an international Qualification that could be judged equivalent to the standard entry requirements, or a student has significant, evidenced industry experience that could be judged equivalent to the standard entry requirements.
2.	RPL for initial entry may be ‘certified’ (APL) or ‘experiential’ (EPL).
3.	Applications for RPL for initial entry may be considered, at the discretion of UCL, where:

	a)	UCL is satisfied that the student is at least as well qualified as candidates who are able to satisfy the standard entrance requirements, and
	b)	UCL is satisfied that the candidate's general education, scholarship, training and experience are suitable for the Programme which they wish to follow, and
	c)	The applicant is able to provide (accredited or experiential) evidence of their background and experience that satisfies UCL as to their fitness to follow the Programme, and
	d)	The applicant satisfies UCL's English Language proficiency requirements.

4.	Where UCL deems it necessary, an applicant may also be required to pass a qualifying examination or to meet other appropriate qualifying conditions prescribed by the UCL department.

2.9.4 Accredited Prior Learning for Advanced Entry to Taught Programmes

Accredited Prior Learning (APL) may be considered for advanced entry to a UCL taught Programme or Research Masters where a student has already completed accredited learning of a standard judged equitable with the UCL Programme concerned e.g. a student who has completed the first year of a cognate Honours degree at another HEI and wishes to transfer to a UCL Honours degree, or a student who has completed a PG Cert and wishes to enrol on a UCL Masters.

Applications for APL for advanced entry may be considered, at the discretion of UCL, where:

	a)	There is space for additional students on the UCL Programme concerned, and
	b)	UCL is satisfied that the student is at least as well qualified as students who were able to satisfy the standard entrance requirements at initial entry, and
	c)	UCL is satisfied that the learning can adequately replace the UCL Modules concerned, and
	d)	The applicant is able to provide certified evidence of their background and experience that satisfies UCL as to their fitness to follow the Programme, and
	e)	The applicant satisfies UCL's English Language proficiency requirements, and
	f)	The credit has been earned at and certified by a recognised degree-awarding body whose academic standards are judged by UCL to be at least consistent with those set out in the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (FHEQ), and
	g)	The credit has been earned at the appropriate academic Level and in an appropriate Field of Study, and
	h)	The learning has been completed within the last five years, and
	i)	The student has achieved the full pass mark for all Modules concerned and credit has not been achieved via a condoned (compensated) pass.

3.	The following table specifies the maximum number of APL credits for which a student may apply for each group of UCL Qualifications:

UCL Qualification	Maximum APL
Certificate of Higher Education	Up to 30 credits
Diploma of Higher Education	Up to 60 credits
Foundation Degree	Up to 60 credits
Bachelors with Honours Degree	Up to 120 credits
Integrated Masters with Honours Degree	Up to 120 credits
Graduate Certificate	Up to 20 credits
Graduate Diploma	Up to 40 credits
Postgraduate Certificate	Up to 30 credits
Postgraduate Diploma	Up to 60 credits
Taught Masters	Up to 90 credits
Research Masters	Up to 90 credits

4.	Applicants who have already completed a Qualification may only use those credits to apply for advanced entry to a UCL Programme where the original Qualification is surrendered, unless the previous Qualification is a constituent part of a student’s professional accreditation (e.g. Qualified Teacher Status).
5.	Where the surrender of the previous Qualification would result in forfeiture of professional accreditation students may be permitted to retain their previous Qualification in addition to their UCL Qualification, at the discretion of UCL. The UCL transcript must clearly demonstrate which credits have been awarded directly by UCL.
6.	Credits for Modules awarded through APL are included in the total number of credits for the Qualification.
7.	Credits awarded via APL from any institution other than UCL will be excluded from the calculation of the classification. Credits accrued at UCL and awarded via APL will be included in the calculation of the classification.
8.	Where a student has left UCL with an interim qualification and asks to re-join the same programme at a later date, this is not APL, it is re-opening a closed record. Please see Chapter 3, Section 1.7 Closing and Re-Opening Records for further details.

2.9.5 Experiential Prior Learning for Advanced Entry to Taught Programmes

1.	Experiential Prior Learning (EPL) may be considered for advanced entry to a UCL taught Programme or Research Masters, at the discretion of UCL, where:

	a)	There is space for additional students on the UCL Programme concerned, and
	b)	UCL is satisfied that the student is at least as well qualified as students who were able to satisfy the standard entrance requirements at initial entry, and
	c)	UCL is satisfied that the learning can adequately replace the UCL Modules concerned, and
	d)	The applicant is able to provide evidence of their background and experience that satisfies UCL as to their fitness to follow the Programme, and
	e)	The applicant satisfies UCL's English Language proficiency requirements, and
	f)	The learning is at an appropriate Level and in an appropriate discipline, and
	g)	The learning has been completed within the last five years.

2.	The following table specifies the maximum number of EPL credits for which a student can apply for each group of UCL Qualifications:

UCL Qualification	Maximum EPL
Certificate of Higher Education	Up to 30 credits
Diploma of Higher Education	Up to 30 credits
Foundation Degree	Up to 30 credits
Bachelors with Honours Degree	Up to 30 credits
Integrated Masters with Honours Degree	Up to 30 credits
Graduate Certificate	Up to 20 credits
Graduate Diploma	Up to 30 credits
Postgraduate Certificate	Up to 20 credits
Postgraduate Diploma	Up to 30 credits
Taught Masters	Up to 30 credits
Research Masters	Up to 30 credits

3.	Where UCL deems it necessary, an applicant for EPL may be required to pass a qualifying examination or to meet other appropriate qualifying conditions prescribed by the UCL department.
4.	Credits for Modules awarded through EPL are included in the total number of credits for the Qualification (and, where applicable, are treated as ‘complete’) but are not graded nor included in the classification calculation.

2.9.6 Advanced Entry to Research Programmes

1.	Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) may be considered for advanced entry to a UCL research Programme where a student has already completed learning of a standard judged equitable with the UCL Programme concerned e.g. a student has commenced a PhD at another Higher Education Institution and wishes to transfer to a UCL PhD.
2.	RPL is not permitted for advanced entry to Completing Research Status (CRS).
3.	Applications for RPL for advanced entry to research Programmes may be considered, at the discretion of UCL, where:

	a)	A UCL supervisor is available in the appropriate Field of Study, and
	b)	The learning is formally recognised by a Higher Education Institution whose academic standards are judged by UCL to be at least consistent with those set out in the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (FHEQ), and
	c)	The learning is at the appropriate academic Level and in an appropriate field, and
	d)	The learning can adequately replace the learning from the UCL Programme concerned, and
	e)	The learning has been completed within the last five years, and
	f)	The student has received research supervision for a minimum of one year.

4.	UCL will determine the appropriate point of entry to the Programme, taking the following into consideration:

	a)	The number of months of study completed on the previous Programme, and
	b)	Whether or not the student has successfully upgraded to PhD, and
	c)	Any other evidence of progress such as a research log.

5.	Once RPL is agreed, the supervisor and student must agree an upgrade and examination timetable.