This guide will help you select your two UPC optional subjects to enter and be successful in your future undergraduate degree.
Advice for selecting the right UPC optional subjects
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing your UPC optional subjects:
- Choose optional subjects relevant to your future degree.
- Choose optional subjects that you have an interest in.
- Consider the UPC entrance tests, there are specific entrance tests you will have to take for some UPC subjects. You can use our practice tests to see if you believe you will be able to do well in these.
- You won't be able to change your subjects after you have accepted a place on the course. In a few cases, we can make exceptions in circumstances where timetabling and student numbers allow.
Required and recommended UPC optional subjects
Required subjects
For many degrees, one or two of the subjects listed in the table below are required subjects. In addition, for many degrees, prior study of the subject at high school level is required.
Look at the UCL undergraduate prospectus to check the entry requirements for your intended degree programme. Where one or two A level subjects are given as a requirement, you’ll likely to have to choose the same subject(s) on the UPC.
Recommended subjects
For certain degrees, no subject or only one subject is required, and you'll find the subject(s) we recommend you take on the UPC listed in the table below. For other degrees, you’ll have the choice in selecting any two subjects on the UPC.
Required and recommended UPC optional subjects guide
See below for a list of some UCL undergraduate degree courses and their related UPC optional subjects. These are the subjects that will give you the best preparation on the UPC for your UCL degree. You will have to select the subjects indicated below. For many degrees, there are several subjects you can choose from, but for others the two subjects listed are required.
The list below is not exhaustive, please contact the UPC Administration Team if you’re unsure which subjects to take during your UPC year.
We accept applications for students who wish to study any undergraduate degree except Medicine and Fine Art.
A | B | C | D | E | G | H | I | L | M | N | P | R | S | T | U |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Ancient History BA | UPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and Modern European History and Politics |
Ancient Languages BA | UPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and Modern European Culture Also requires an ancient or modern language at grade A (see UPCH - MFL options, or an ancient and a modern language at GCSE at grade C or above). |
Ancient World BA | UPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and Modern European Culture |
Anthropology BSc | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics or Modern European Culture If you're applying via the UPCH you will need to have studied a science subject (Physics, Chemistry or Biology) in middle school or after. UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics. |
Applied Medical Sciences BSc | UPCSE: Chemistry and Biology |
Archaeology BA / BSc | UPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and either Modern European Culture or Geography and the Built Environment UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics. |
Architectural and Interdisciplinary Studies BSc | UPCH for Architecture: Visual Studies for Architecture & Academic Research: Approaches & Methods*; Geography and the Built Environment and any other second subject *Compulsory UPC for Architecture subject. In addition to your application, you will also need to present a portfolio of artwork (PDFs preferred). You are expected to demonstrate existing art and design skills. We recommend The Bartlett Summer School or The Slade Summer School before you start the UPC. |
Architecture BSc / MSci | UPCH for Architecture: Visual Studies for Architecture & Academic Research: Approaches & Methods*; Geography and the Built Environment and Modern European Culture UPCSE for Architecture: Visual Studies for Architecture & Academic Research: Approaches & Methods*; in addition either Biology and Mathematics or Mathematics and Physics *Compulsory UPC for Architecture subject. In addition to your application, you will also need to present a portfolio of artwork (PDFs preferred). You are expected to demonstrate existing art and design skills. We recommend The Bartlett Summer School or The Slade Summer School before you start the UPC course. |
Arts and Sciences BASc | UPCH: Any two optional subjects UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics. Please note, if you are not taking a mixture of humanities/social sciences and mathematics/science UPC optional subjects you will be required to take an additional Arts and Sciences test in the subject area you're missing. For example: if you do not have the science or maths level you need, you will be able to choose a test in maths, chemistry or biology; if you do not have a humanities/social sciences subject you will be set an essay or comprehension task. Please see the Arts and Sciences BSc 'Your Application' page for further details. |
Astrophysics BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Biochemical Engineering BEng | UPCSE: Mathematics and either Biology, Chemistry or Physics |
Biochemistry BSc | UPCSE: Biology and Chemistry |
Biological Sciences BSc | UPCSE: Biology and Chemistry |
Biomedical Engineering BEng | UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
Biomedical Sciences BSc | |
Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Business & Management) BSc | UPCSE: Biology and Chemistry |
Business and Health BSc | UPCH: Any two optional subjects from Economics, Geography and the Built Environment or Mathematics, UPCSE: Any two optional subjects from Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Cancer Biomedicine BSc | UPCSE: Biology and Chemistry |
Chemical Engineering BEng | UPCSE: Mathematics and Chemistry |
Chemistry BSc | UPCSE: Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics |
Chemistry with Management Studies BSc | UPCSE: Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics |
Civil Engineering BEng | UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation BA | UPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and either Modern European Culture or Geography and the Built Environment |
Comparative Literature BA | UPCH: Modern European Culture and Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics |
Computer Science BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Construction Project Management MSci | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and either Mathematics or Economics UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
Creative Arts and Humanities BA | UPCH: Modern European Culture and Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Data Science BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and either Economics or Geography and the Built Environment UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Early Childhood Education BA | UPCH: At least one essay-based subject from: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics; Geography and the Built Environment; Modern European Culture; Modern European History and Politics UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics. |
Earth Sciences BSc | UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics. |
Economics and Business with East European Studies BA | UPCH: Mathematics and either Economics; Geography and the Built Environment or Modern European History and Politics |
Economics and Statistics BSc (Econ) | UPCH: Mathematics and Economics UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Economics BSc (Econ) | UPCH: Mathematics and Economics |
Education, Society and Culture BA | UPCH: At least one essay-based subject from: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics; Geography and the Built Environment; Modern European Culture; Modern European History and Politics |
Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng | UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
Engineering and Architectural Design MEng | UPCSE for Architecture: Visual Studies for Architecture & Academic Research: Approaches & Methods*; Mathematics and Physics *Compulsory UPC for Architecture subject. In addition to your application, you will also need to present a portfolio of artwork (PDFs preferred). You are expected to demonstrate existing art and design skills. We recommend The Bartlett Summer School or The Slade Summer School before you start the UPC. |
English BA | UPCH: Modern European Culture and Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics |
Environmental Geoscience BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
European Social and Political Studies BA | UPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject Maths is required for the full Economics pathway |
Experimental Linguistics BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics or Modern European Culture UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Geology BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Geography BA Geography BSc | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and any other second subject |
Geography and Economics BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and Geography and the Built Environment |
Geophysics BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
Global Humanitarian Studies BSc | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and Modern European History and Politics |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Heritage BA | UPCH: Any two optional subjects from Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics; Geography and the Built Environment; Modern European Culture; Modern European History and Politics |
History (Central and East European) with Jewish Studies and Year Abroad | UPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject |
History and Philosophy of Science BSc | UPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics. |
History and Politics of the Americas BA | UPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject |
History, Politics and Economics BA | UPCH: Modern European History and Politics and either Economics, Geography and the Built Environment or Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics. Modern European History and Politics and Mathematics is compulsory for the full Economics pathway. |
History of Art BA | UPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and Modern European Culture. |
Human Neuroscience BSc | UPSCE: Biology and any other second subject |
Human Sciences BSc | UPSCE: Biology and any other second subject |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Infection and Immunity BSc | UPCSE: Chemistry and Biology |
Information In Society BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics, Modern European Culture, Modern European History and Politics or Geography and the Built Environment UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Information Management for Business BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and either Economics or Geography and the Built Environment UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
International Social and Political Studies BA | UPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject Maths is required for the full Economics pathway |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Language with Film Studies BA | UPCHMel: Modern European Culture and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics or Modern European History and Politics |
Law LLB | UPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and Modern European History and Politics You must be prepared to sit the LNAT shortly after beginning the UPCH in September. We offer guidance to UPCH students as part of the course. Students interested in studying Law LLB should read 'applying to Law' before making a UPCH application. |
Linguistics BA | UPCH: Modern European Culture, Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics or Modern European History and Politics. If you have a science background you can apply from the UPCSE to Experimental Linguistics BSc. |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Management Science BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics; Geography and the Built Environment; Modern European Culture; or Modern European History and Politics UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Mathematics BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and Economics UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Mathematics with Economics BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and Economics UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Mathematics with Management Studies BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and any other second subject UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Mathematics with Modern Languages BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and any other second subject UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Mathematics and Statistical Science BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and any other second subject UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Mechanical Engineering BEng | UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
Media BA | UPCH: Modern European Culture plus any other UPCH subject except Economics. In addition to your application, you will also need to present a showreel and supporting portfolio of work. You are expected to demonstrate existing media related skills. |
Medical Innovation and Enterprise BSc | UPSCE: Biology and either Chemistry or Mathematics |
Medical Physics MSci | UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Natural Sciences BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject which will depend on the intended Natural Sciences pathway |
Neuroscience BSc | UPCSE: Chemistry and Biology |
Nutrition and Medical Sciences BSc | UPCSE: Biology and any other second subject |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Russian and History BA | UPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Science and Engineering for Social Change BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and either Biology, Chemistry or Physics UPCH: a mix of subjects between Mathematics, social sciences (Economics, Geography and the Built Environment or Modern European History and Politics) or humanities (Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics; Geography and the Built Environment or Modern European Culture ) are recommended |
Security and Crime Science BSc | UPCH: Any two optional subjects UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics. |
Social Sciences BSc | UPCH: Any two optional subjects |
Social Sciences with Data Science BSc | UPCH: Any two optional subjects |
Sociology BSc | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and any other second subject |
Sociology and Politics of Science BSc | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and any other second subject UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics. |
Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences BSc | UPCSE: Biology and either Chemistry or Mathematics |
Statistics BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and Economics UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Statistics, Economics and a Language BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and either Economics; Geography and the Built Environment or Modern European History and Politics UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Statistics, Economics, and Finance BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and Economics UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Statistics and Management for Business BSc | UPCH: Mathematics and either Economics; Geography and the Built Environment or Modern European History and Politics UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
Sustainable Built Environments, Energy and Resources BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Theoretical Physics BSc | UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics |
UCL degree aim | Recommended UPC optional subjects |
---|---|
Urban Planning, Design and Management BSc | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and any other second subject |
Urban Planning and Real Estate BSc | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and Economics |
Urban Studies BSc | UPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and any other second subject |