Close
Learn how to apply for the UCL foundation year - the UPC. This includes documents to submit, entrance tests, interviews and accepting your offer.
Application process
There are three stages to the UPC application process:
You must succeed at each stage to receive an offer.
Application and supporting documents
You should make your UPC application directly to the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE) via our online application form, there is also a personal statement section on the application form.
Required application documents
Please ensure you have these documents scanned as PNG or JPEG files, as you will need to upload them to your application before you can submit it.
- a certified and translated copy of your school transcripts stamped by an authorised translator – please see our academic requirements.
- a copy of your English language test score - an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) or Pearson PTE Academic UKVI.
- a reference from an education professional who knows your academic work and can comment on your recent academic performance.
- a portfolio (only for architecture students).
We require a complete application before we will invite you to take the entrance tests.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is an important part of your application and should explain in no more than 500 words:
- Your reasons for choosing to study the undergraduate degree you have chosen and what particular aspect(s) of the degree most interest(s) you.
- What experiences, academic and other, have shaped your interest in this field (e.g. have you done reading on this field in particular?, did you develop your interest through non-academic projects?, have you acquired any skills that you believe will be useful to study this field?).
- How you think you will fit into the UPC course and what you believe may perhaps be more challenging for you during your foundation year.
- What single achievement you are most proud of, and what it has taught you about yourself, others or the world around you.
Reference
This can be provided either:
- on headed school/college/university paper, stamped and signed.
- 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
If you wish to apply for an architecture related degree during the UPC, you will need to submit a portfolio including at least six observational drawings as well as work in other media like paintings.
We’d prefer you to upload this as a JPEG before you submit your UPC application. Otherwise, you can email this to us as one PDF file after you have submitted your application. If you have a portfolio hosted on a website, you can email us the link as well. You can contact upc@ucl.ac.uk if you have any issues.
Please see the entry requirements page for what you need to include in your portfolio.
There may be an additional fee for students wishing to study a degree in Architecture if we are able to offer a compulsory module through the Bartlett School of Architecture.
Application deadline
The application deadline for the UPC is 1 June 2023. However, we may close applications before this date if the course is full. When submitting your application, please check you’re able to take the test on the scheduled date (below).
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 meet our minimum requirements, we’ll contact you about the entrance test(s).
To take the entrance test(s), please submit a complete UPC application by one of the dates in the table below. When choosing a submission date, check you have enough time to prepare and that you'll be available on the test date.
| Submit a complete UPC application by: | Take the UPC entrance test(s) on: | Final decision on application by: |
|---|---|---|
| 2 January 2023 | 21 January 2023 | 17 February 2023 |
| 3 February 2023 | 18 February 2023 | 17 March 2023 |
| 31 March 2023 | 22 April 2023 | 19 May 2023 |
Regardless of test dates, we consider all applications made before 31 March 2023 equally.
If you submit an application after 31 March, but before 1 June 2023, please note:
- We’ll only consider your application if there are still places on the course.
- You'll miss UCL guaranteed accommodation deadline.
- If there are places available, and you are selected for the tests, you will be asked to pay the application fee. Tests and interviews will take place in June.
Learn about our entrance tests including which tests you need to take, how to take them and practice papers.
Interviews
If you achieve 50% or above in each entrance test, the UPC admissions tutor will assess your application. Their decision regarding an invitation to interview will consider all stages of your application. You’ll hear from the UPC admissions team by the dates provided in the above table.
In the interview, we’ll assess how suitable you are for the course. It’s also a chance for you to ask us any questions.
Your performance in the interview is important in our decision to offer you a place. We’ll review your high school results, academic references, English language level and entrance tests before deciding. The UPC admissions tutor will decide within a few days of your interview.
Offer
If you are 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 installment of tuition fees 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.
Guaranteed accommodation
Once you've accepted your offer, you can apply for UCL accommodation. You should apply for this before 10 June to ensure you're assigned a room.
If you apply for accommodation after this, you’re still likely to receive a place. However, you might have to wait until shortly before or after the course begins to know what residence you'll be in.
If you’re applying for accommodation after 10 June, you should also consider alternative residence. Your offer email will detail your other options for this.
Paying your fees
The complete UPC tuition fee balance will be payable by June 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 fees.
You can pay your course fees 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
We’ll fully refund course fees upon a formal visa refusal. To receive a refund, you must also be unable to make further visa applications. You must submit your claim in writing alongside a ‘Refusal of Entry Clearance’ letter. We’ll consider other refund requests before 1 June 2023 if another student can fill your place on the course.
All refunds will be subject to a £200 administration charge.
If you withdraw from the course after it begins, we won’t accept any requests for full or partial refunds.
Before your course starts
After accepting your offer and paying your course fees, we'll email you the pre-course information booklet. This contains advice about preparing for your subjects, including reading lists. It also details the academic calendar, UPC exams and social trips.
Unsuccessful UPC applications
If your application is unsuccessful, we’ll inform you via email. Where possible, we’ll offer guidance about other courses relevant to you.