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 | Y
A
Ancient History BA:
Ancient Languages BA:
You also need an A in an ancient/modern language at GCSE grade C or 4 (or above).
Ancient World BA:
Anthropology BSc
UPCH
Geography and the Built Environment and either:
If you’re applying via the UPCH, you must have studied biology, chemistry or physics in middle school or after.
UPCSE
Any two optional UPCSE subjects.
Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics.
Applied Medical Sciences BSc:
Archaeology BA/BSc
UPCH
Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and either:
UPCSE
Any two optional UPCSE subjects.
Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics.
Architectural and Interdisciplinary Studies BSc
You will take the compulsory UPC for Architecture subject (Visual Studies for Architecture & Academic Research: Approaches & Methods) and:
- Geography and the Built Environment
- any other 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
You will take the compulsory UPC for Architecture subject (Visual Studies for Architecture & Academic Research: Approaches & Methods) and:
UPCH:
UPCSE
Either:
Or:
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.
Art and Technology BA:
An exceptionally strong portfolio is required at the point of applying to the UPC.
Arts and Sciences BASc
UPCH
Any two optional UPCH subjects.
UPCSE
Any two optional UPCSE 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 mathematics level you need, you will be able to choose a test in mathematics, 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:
B
Biochemical Engineering BEng
Mathematics (UPCSE) and either:
Biochemistry BSc:
Biological Sciences BSc:
Biomedical Engineering BEng:
Biomedical Sciences BSc:
Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Business & Management) BSc:
Business and Health BSc
UPCH
Any two optional subjects from:
UPCSE
Any two optional subjects from:
C
Cancer Biomedicine BSc:
Chemical Engineering BEng:
Chemistry BSc
Chemistry and either:
Chemistry with Management Studies BSc
Chemistry and either:
Civil Engineering BEng:
Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation BA
Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and either:
Communications BA
- Geography and the Built Environment
- any other UPCH subject.
Comparative Literature BA
Computer Science BSc:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Construction Project Management MSci
UPCH
Geography and the Built Environment and either:
- Mathematics (UPCH)
- Economics.
UPCSE:
Creative Arts and Humanities BA:
D
Data Science BSc
UPCH
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
E
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 UPCSE subjects.
Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics.
Earth Sciences BSc
Any two optional UPCSE subjects.
Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics.
Economics and Business with East European Studies BA
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
Economics and Statistics BSc (Econ)
UPCH:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Economics BSc (Econ):
Education, Society and Culture BA
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:
Engineering and Architectural Design MEng
You will take the 'UPCSE for Architecture: Visual Studies for Architecture & Academic Research: Approaches & Methods', and the following two optional modules:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- Physics.
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:
Environmental Geoscience BSc:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
European Social and Political Studies BA:
- Modern European History and Politics
- any other UPCH subject.
Mathematics is required for the full Economics pathway.
Experimental Linguistics BSc
UPCH
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
G
Geology BSc:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Geography BA/BSc:
- Geography and the Built Environment
- any other UPCH subject.
Geography and Economics BSc:
Geophysics BSc:
Global Humanitarian Studies BSc:
H
Heritage BA
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:
- Modern European History and Politics
- any other UPCH subject.
History and Philosophy of Science BSc
UPCH:
- Modern European History and Politics
- any other UPCSE subject.
UPCSE
Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics (UPCSE).
History and Politics of the Americas BA:
- Modern European History and Politics
- any other UPCH subject.
History, Politics and Economics BA
Modern European History and Politics and either:
- Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics
- Economics
- Geography and the Built Environment.
Modern European History and Politics and Mathematics (UPCH) is compulsory for the full Economics pathway.
History of Art BA:
Human Neuroscience BSc:
- Biology
- any other UPCSE subject.
Human Sciences BSc:
- Biology
- any other UPCSE subject.
I
Infection and Immunity BSc:
Information In Society BSc
UPCH
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
- Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics
- Modern European Culture
- Modern European History and Politics
- Geography and the Built Environment.
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Information Management for Business BSc
UPCH
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
International Management BSc
UPCH
Mathematics (UPCH) or Economics and either:
International Social and Political Studies BA:
- Modern European History and Politics
- any other UPCH subject.
Mathematics is required for the full Economics pathway.
L
Language with Film Studies BA
Modern European Culture and either:
You will take the UPCHMel stream and take a language subject in place of the Academic English core subject.
Law LLB:
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. Read more about applying to law.
Linguistics BA
Two subjects from:
- Modern European Culture
- Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics
- Modern European History and Politics.
If you have a science background you can apply from the UPCSE to Experimental Linguistics BSc.
M
Management Science BSc
UPCH
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Mathematics BSc
UPCH:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Mathematics with Economics BSc
UPCH:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Mathematics with Management Studies BSc
UPCH:
- Mathematics (UPCH)
- any other UPCH subject.
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Mathematics with Modern Languages BSc
UPCH:
- Mathematics (UPCH)
- any other UPCH subject.
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Mathematics and Statistical Science BSc
UPCH:
- Mathematics (UPCH)
- any other UPCH subject.
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Mechanical Engineering BEng:
Media BA:
- Modern European Culture
- 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
Biology and either:
Medical Physics MSci:
N
Natural Sciences BSc:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject relevant to your future Natural Sciences pathway.
Neuroscience BSc:
Nutrition and Medical Sciences BSc:
- Biology
- any other UPCSE subject.
P
Pharmacology BSc:
Pharmacy MPharm:
Philosophy and Economics BA
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
Philosophy and History of Art BA
Modern European Culture and either:
Philosophy BA
Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and either:
Philosophy and Computer Science BSc
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
This degree may also be suitable for an UPCSE student with the right profile (for example, some philosophy background).
Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
Physics BSc:
Physics with Medical Physics BSc:
Politics and International Relations BSc:
- Modern European History and Politics
- any other UPCH subject.
Politics, Sociology and East European Studies BA
- Modern European History and Politics
- any other UPCH subject.
Population Health Sciences BSc
UPCH
Geography and the Built Environment and either:
UPCSE
Biology and either:
Psychology and Language Sciences BSc
UPCH
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
- Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics
- Geography and the Built Environment
- Modern European Culture
- Modern European History and Politics.
UPCSE
Mathematics (UPCSE) and either:
Psychology BSc
One of the following combinations of UPCSE subjects:
Psychology with Education BSc
UPCH:
- Mathematics (UPCH)
- any other UPCH subject.
UPCSE
Two subjects from below:
- Biology
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
If you choose Physics on the UPCSE, it can only be combined with Mathematics.
R
Russian and History BA:
- Modern European History and Politics
- any other UPCH subject.
S
Science and Engineering for Social Change BSc
UPCSE
Mathematics (UPCSE) and either:
UPCH
A mixture of subjects from below is recommended:
- Mathematics (UPCH)
- Social sciences (Economics, Geography and the Built Environment or Modern European History and Politics)
- Humanities (Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics, Geography and the Built Environment or Modern European Culture).
Security and Crime Science BSc
Any two optional subjects.
If you choose Physics on the UPCSE, it can only be combined with Mathematics.
Social Sciences BSc
Any two optional UPCH subjects.
Social Sciences with Data Science BSc
Any two optional UPCH subjects.
Sociology BSc:
- Geography and the Built Environment
- any other UPCH subject.
Sociology and Politics of Science BSc
UPCH:
- Geography and the Built Environment
- any other UPCH subject.
UPCSE
If you choose Physics on the UPCSE, it can only be combined with Mathematics.
Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences BSc
UPCSE
Biology and either:
Statistics BSc
UPCH:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Statistics, Economics and a Language BSc
UPCH
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Statistics, Economics, and Finance BSc
UPCH:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Statistics and Management for Business BSc
UPCH:
Mathematics (UPCH) and either:
UPCSE:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
Sustainable Built Environments, Energy and Resources BSc:
- Mathematics (UPCSE)
- any other UPCSE subject.
T
Theoretical Physics BSc:
U
Urban Planning, Design and Management BSc:
- Geography and the Built Environment
- any other UPCH subject.
Urban Planning and Real Estate BSc:
Urban Studies BSc:
- Geography and the Built Environment
- any other UPCH subject.
Y
Youth, Society and Sustainable Futures BA:
- Geography and the Built Environment
- any other UPCH subject.