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Learn how to apply for the UCL foundation year (UPC). This includes documents to submit, entrance tests, interviews and accepting your offer.
Application process
There are four steps to the UPC application process:
Application and supporting documents
You should make your UPC application directly to us – the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE) – via our online application form.
You will also write a personal statement and add it to the application form.
Required application documents
You will need to scan and upload documents before you can submit your application.
Please upload the scanned documents below as PNG or JPEG files:
- a certified and translated copy of your school transcripts stamped by an authorised translator – please see our academic requirements
- If you are in your last year of high school: previous two-years and end of term-one of your current year
- If you have completed high school: your transcripts over the last two-years
- a copy of your English language test score – an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) or Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (check our English language requirements)
- a reference from an education professional who knows your academic work and can comment on your recent academic performance
- a portfolio for architecture related degree applicants
- a showreel and supportive portfolio for prospective UCL Media BA applicants
Personal statement
Your personal statement is an important part of your application and should answer these questions in no more than 500 words.
- Why you chose your undergraduate degree? Which aspects of the degree interest you the most?
- Which experiences (academic and personal) have shaped your interest in this field? (e.g. reading in the subject area, non-academic projects, useful relevant skills you have)
- How do you think you will fit into the UPC course and what might challenge you during the foundation year?
- What is your single proudest achievement? What did it teach you about yourself, others and the world around you?
Transcripts
If you’re applying in your final year of high school, you should provide transcripts from your previous two years. Where possible, you should also provide transcripts for the term(s) you have already competed in your final year.
If you’ve finished high school, please provide transcripts from your last three years at school. You should also provide a copy of your high school certificate.
Reference
This can be provided either:
- on stamped and signed headed school, college or university paper,
- using our template available in either or .
If your referee prefers, we can send them a reference form to fill in, sign and return to us directly after you have submitted your application. In this case, please make sure you correctly complete your referee's details on your application form, and we will contact them when we process your application.
Portfolio and showreel
If you wish to apply for the these degrees during the UPC, you will also need to submit the following.
- Architecture-related degree: a portfolio
- UCL Media BA: a showreel and supporting portfolio
Once we have processed your complete application, we will email you with details of how to submit the above.
Please check details of what you need to include in your portfolio or your showreel and supporting portfolio.
You can contact us at upc@ucl.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Application deadline
The application deadline for the UPC is 3 June 2024 for September 2024 entry, however applications may close sooner if the course is full.
Regardless of when you apply, we’ll consider all applications made before 12 April 2024 equally.
If you submit an application after 12 April, but before 3 June 2024, please note:
- We’ll only consider your application if there are still places on the course.
- You'll miss the accommodation deadline to be prioritised for UCL accommodation.
- If there are places available, and you are selected for the tests, you will be asked to pay the application fee. A last round of tests and interviews may take place in June.
Application fee payment
After submitting your application and relevant documents, you’ll be directed to UCL's Online Store. Here, you’ll need to pay the course application fee of £125 by credit or debit card.
Your application and payment will come directly to UCL CLIE. We’ll then contact you about the next stage of the application, the entrance tests. This should take a few days, but during busy periods, it could take up to 10 working days. If you haven't heard from us after this period, please contact us by email.
Under 18s
If you’re under 18 at the start of the course, please read UCL's essential information for students under the age of 18 before applying.
Entrance tests
Once you've submitted a complete application including all required documents, our Admissions Team will check it.
If you are applying for UPCSE or UPCH with Maths as an optional subject, and you meet our minimum entrance requirements, we’ll contact you with information about taking entrance tests.
If you're applying for UPCH without Maths a UPCH Admissions Tutor will assess your whole application to decide if you will be invited to interview, and to take a Critical Thinking task.
What tests do I need to take?
UPCSE (Science and Engineering)
If you’re applying to the UPCSE, you'll choose to study two optional subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
You will then take an entrance test in each of your two optional subjects.
If you pass both of your entrance tests, a UPCSE Admissions Tutor will assess your whole application to decide if you will be invited to interview.
UPCH (Humanities)
Critical Thinking task
If you're applying for UPCH without Maths a UPCH Admissions Tutor will assess your whole application to decide if you will be invited to interview and to take a Critical Thinking task.
Mathematics
If you’re a UPCH applicant and you intend to study the Mathematics optional subject, you will take the Mathematics entrance test first.
If you’re successful in the Mathematics entrance test, a UPCH Admissions Tutor will assess your whole application to decide if you will be invited for a first interview, which will focus on your mathematical abilities.
If you’re successful in the first interview, you’ll then be sent a Critical Thinking task (see above) and be invited to a second interview. You’ll have at least one week to prepare for the second interview.
When will I take the entrance tests?
UPCSE applicants
| Submit a complete UPC application by: | Take the UPC entrance tests on: | Interviews scheduled between: | Final decision on application by: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 December 2023 | 13 January 2024 | 22 January – 16 February 2024 | 16 February 2024 |
| 9 February 2024 | 24 February 2024 | 26 February – 22 March 2024 | 22 March 2024 |
| 12 April 2024 | 20 April 2024 | 29 April – 17 May 2024 | 17 May 2024 |
UPCH applicants not applying to study the Mathematics optional subject
| Submit a complete UPC application by: | Critical Thinking task received on: | Interviews scheduled between: | Final decision on application by: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 December 2023 | 12 January 2024 | 22 January – 16 February 2024 | 16 February 2024 |
| 9 February 2024 | 16 February 2024 | 26 February – 22 March 2024 | 22 March 2024 |
| 12 April 2024 | 19 April 2024 | 29 April – 17 May 2024 | 17 May 2024 |
UPCH applicants applying to study the Mathematics optional subject
| Submit a complete UPC application by: | Take the UPC Maths entrance test on: | UPC Maths interviews scheduled between: | Critical Thinking task received: | Second interviews scheduled between: | Final decision on application by: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 December 2023 | 13 January 2024 | 22 - 26 January 2024 | 1-2 weeks before interview (for those who pass the Maths interview only) | 12 - 16 February 2024 | 16 February 2024 |
| 9 February 2024 | 24 February 2024 | 4 - 8 March 2024 | 18 - 22 March 2024 | 22 March 2024 | |
| 12 April 2024 | 20 April 2024 | 29 April - 3 May 2024 | 13 - 17 May 2024 | 17 May 2024 |
Further information on the entrance tests and Critical Thinking task
Learn more about the entrance tests in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, and Critical Thinking task, as well how to take them and advice on how to practise.
If you fail to pass the entrance test(s) with less than 50% in either test, we’ll inform you that your application has been unsuccessful within the following week.
If you achieve 50% or above in your entrance test(s), the admissions team will assess your full application for further consideration.
If you're applying for UPCH without Maths a UPCH Admissions Tutor will assess your whole application to decide if you will be invited to interview, and to take a Critical Thinking task.
Interviews
The decision regarding an invitation to interview considers all aspects of your application.
In the interview, we’ll assess your suitability for the course.
For UPCSE applicants, the first part of the interview will challenge you on a subject-specific question, topic or problem.
For UPCH applicants, you’ll have received a Critical Thinking task to prepare before the interview at the date indicated in the table above. The admissions tutor interviewing you will ask you questions based on the text – or text and images – you'll have studied.
For all applicants, the second part of the interview will be a chance for us to know you better and we’ll ask you questions on your past or current studies; your degree aim and your personal statement.
You may also wish to ask us any questions.
Your performance in the interview is important in our decision to offer you a place.
We’ll inform you of our decision within a few days of your interview or by the date indicated in the table above.
Offer
If you’re successful at interview stage, we’ll email you a formal offer to enrol on the UPC course.
At this point, you’ll need to pay the first instalment of tuition fee to reserve your place.
Once we receive this, we'll email you to confirm your place and provide your UCL student number.
You can then apply for UCL accommodation.
Accommodation
Once you've accepted your offer and have been issued with a UCL student number, you can apply for UCL Accommodation. You should apply before 10 June and meet the other UCL Accommodation eligibility criteria to be prioritised for a room.
Paying your fee
The complete UPC tuition fee balance will be payable by 1 June 2024, after which you'll receive an email with the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This is necessary for a student visa application after receipt of the fee.
You can pay your course fee by credit or debit card on the UCL Online Store, which is the preferred method or by bank transfer (we will send bank details upon request).
Refunds
Full refunds of the course fee will be made in the event of a visa application refusal where a further visa application is not possible. Claims must be supported by a Refusal of Entry Clearance letter.
Other refund requests must be received by 3 June 2024 (the refund request deadline) to be considered and are subject to a 10% administration charge. Refund requests must be submitted by email to upc@ucl.ac.uk
Requests for full or pro rata refunds for students withdrawing from a course of study after its commencement will not be considered.
Before your course starts
After accepting your offer and paying your course fee, we'll send you advice on preparing for your subjects and recommended reading lists.
Unsuccessful UPC applications
If your application is unsuccessful, we’ll inform you via email by the date indicated in the table above. Where possible, we’ll offer guidance about other courses relevant to you.