How to apply

Learn how to apply for the IPM. This includes the application process, documents to submit, and accepting your offer.

 On this page:

• Before you apply
• When to apply
• Application and supporting documents
• Application fee payment
• Application review
• Paying the course fees
• Visa information
• Applying for accommodation
• Plan your arrival

Before you apply

Before you apply, you should check that you fulfil our entry requirements and prepare your supporting documents.

When to apply

We recommend that you apply as early as possible.

We usually close applications in September, but we may close earlier if the course becomes full.

Can I apply for the IPM if I haven’t finished my undergraduate degree?

Yes. If you are still studying for your undergraduate degree, we can issue a conditional offer. Once you complete your degree and your final grade meets our academic requirements, we will be able to confirm if we can offer you a place on the course. To receive a conditional offer, you must already meet our English language requirement.

Please see our conditional offer frequently asked questions.

Application and supporting documents

You should apply via our online application form and pay the application fee.

Please remember to include all supporting documents:

• Statement of purpose.
• Academic transcripts and, if available, your degree certificate (both with a translation if not originally in English). If you have not completed your degree we may make you a conditional offer and ask you send us your final results as soon as they are available. We expect you will need to meet all academic conditions in your offer by Monday, 20 July 2026.
• Evidence of your English level.
• Copy of your passport.

Your application will only be processed when we have received everything we need.

Learn about the supporting documents you’ll need to submit below.

Statement of purpose

Maximum 350 words

This is a key part of the application. Tell us why you are interested in the IPM and why you think you are suitable for it.

Tell us how it will fit in with your future academic plans.

Your statement should be no more than 350 words and your own work, without help from anyone.

It is not used to assess your English language level.

It helps us decide whether the course is right for you.

Academic transcript and degree certificate

You need to submit your final degree transcript confirming the title of your award, final grade and date of completion.

If these are not in English, you will need to attach an official translation.

If you are still studying for your first degree, we may be able to make you a conditional offer if you meet our English language requirements.

Evidence of English level

This needs to be an English qualification accepted by the IPM.

Your English language qualification must be no more than two years old by the IPM start date.

Passport

You will need to provide a copy of your passport.

Offer to study a Master’s degree

You should include any offers to study a Master’s degree that you already have.

Please note that you do not need to have an offer to study on a Master's degree to apply for this course.

UCL postgraduate offer holders

If you hold an offer for a UCL postgraduate degree for 2026–27 entry and would like to start a year later so you can do the Pre-Master's, you will be able to request a deferral.

We will include further information about how to request a deferral in our IPM enrolment letter, after you have paid the tuition fee in full.

You must make your deferral request at least two weeks before the start date of the postgraduate degree you had applied to and be deferring for the first time.

Read more about deferring your graduate taught offer.

Letters of recommendation and CVs

We do not consider letters of recommendation or CVs as part of your application.

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 £90 by credit or debit card.

Exceptional circumstances

UCL understands that prospective students living in conflict zones, displaced by conflict, who are seeking asylum in the UK or have been granted refugee status in the UK may find it difficult to pay an application fee.

We commit to making the application process accessible to those affected.

Financial hardship

If financial hardship is the result of conflict/related displacement or related to your presence in the UK as an asylum seeker or refugee, you can apply for a fee waiver.
It is not possible to apply for an application fee waiver under any other circumstances.

Applying for a fee waiver

If you think you are eligible, please email us a written request for suspension of the application fee.

Application review

Once you have submitted a complete application and paid the application fee our Admissions team will review it.

You can normally expect to receive a decision within 2–3 weeks.

If we have any queries about your application, we will contact you for further information.

If you’re successful, we’ll send you an offer letter via email.

Paying the course fees

To accept your offer, you will need to pay the tuition fee deposit of £2,750.

This will normally be within two weeks of the date at the top of the offer.

Once we receive this, we'll email you to confirm your acceptance and provide your UCL student number. You can then apply for UCL accommodation.

The remainder of the course fee (£18,325) needs to be paid by early September 2026 at the very latest.

If you need a visa to study in the UK you will need to make payment earlier than the date above, because visa documentation will be issued only after we receive the full course fee.

If payments are not received by the specified deadlines, we reserve the right to withdraw your offer and retain any fees already paid.

You can pay your deposit and other course fees by credit or debit card on the UCL Online Store, which is the preferred method.

Please see the course fee here.

Refunds

We will refund all course fees paid, including the tuition fee deposit, if any of the following applies:

• you change your mind about wanting to attend the course and request a refund within 14 days of accepting your offer, unless there are 14 days or less before the course starts, in which case no refund will be made
• you fail to secure the necessary clearance to enter the UK in order to undertake the course and a further visa application is not possible (claims must be supported by a Refusal of Entry Clearance letter)
• you are able to provide appropriate evidence before the course begins that you have received full funding for the course
• you fail to meet the conditions related to academic entry requirements set out in the Offer Letter and following consideration of evidence you provide of your qualifications, UCL decides you should not be admitted. 

Except for the above reasons, the tuition fee deposit is not refundable. Other requests for refunds will be considered at the sole discretion of UCL CLIE.

Requests for full or pro rata refunds received after the course has begun will not be considered.

Refund requests must be submitted by email to pre-masters@ucl.ac.uk.

Visa information

If you need a visa to study in the UK, you will need to apply for a Student Visa.

To apply for your Student Visa, you will first need a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS).

We will provide information about how to request a CAS during your application process.

Please note that the Short-Term Study Visa is not suitable for Pre-Master's students.

For further advice about visas, please visit the UCL Immigration and Visas website.

Applying for accommodation

Once you've accepted your offer and have been issued with a UCL student number, you can apply for UCL Accommodation.

For 2026–27 IPM students will be guaranteed an offer for UCL accommodation if they submit their UCL Accommodation application (separate to IPM application) by 10 June 2026 and meet the eligibility criteria.

If you miss this deadline we strongly recommend you secure alternative accommodation.

The UCL accommodation team can assist you in providing useful resources and information to help with your search.

Plan your arrival

We will send you some pre-arrival information.

You should aim to arrive in good time and no later than the weekend before the course start date.

Please check your IPM confirmation email for further information.