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Optional subject selection guide

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 | CD | E | G | H IL | M | | P | R | S | T | U |


A

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Ancient History BAUPCH: 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 BAUPCH: 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 BScUPCSE: Mathematics and Physics

B

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Biochemical Engineering BEngUPCSE: Mathematics and either BiologyChemistry or Physics
Biochemistry BScUPCSE: Biology and Chemistry
Biological Sciences BScUPCSE: Biology and Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering BEngUPCSE: Mathematics and Physics
Biomedical Sciences BSc

UPCSE: Biology and Chemistry

Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Business & Management) BScUPCSE: Biology and Chemistry
Business and Health BSc

UPCH: Any two optional subjects from  EconomicsGeography and the Built Environment or Mathematics,

UPCSE: Any two optional subjects from BiologyChemistry or Mathematics

C

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Cancer Biomedicine BScUPCSE: Biology and Chemistry
Chemical Engineering BEngUPCSE: Mathematics and Chemistry
Chemistry BScUPCSE: Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics
Chemistry with Management Studies BScUPCSE: Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics
Civil Engineering BEngUPCSE: Mathematics and Physics
Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation BAUPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and either Modern European Culture or Geography and the Built Environment
Comparative Literature BAUPCH: Modern European Culture and Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics
Computer Science BScUPCSE: 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 BAUPCH: Modern European Culture and Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics

D

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Data Science BSc

UPCH: Mathematics and either Economics or Geography and the Built Environment

UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject

E

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Early Childhood Education BAUPCH: At least one essay-based subject from: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and PoliticsGeography and the Built EnvironmentModern European CultureModern European History and Politics

UPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics.
Earth Sciences BScUPCSE: Any two optional subjects. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics.
Economics and Business with East European Studies BAUPCH: Mathematics and either EconomicsGeography 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 PoliticsGeography and the Built EnvironmentModern European CultureModern European History and Politics
Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEngUPCSE: 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 BAUPCH: Modern European Culture and Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics
Environmental Geoscience BScUPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject
European Social and Political Studies BAUPCH: 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

G

UCL degree aimRecommended 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 BScUPCH: Mathematics and Geography and the Built Environment
Geophysics BScUPCSE: Mathematics and Physics
Global Humanitarian Studies BScUPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and Modern European History and Politics

H

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Heritage BAUPCH: Any two optional subjects from Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and PoliticsGeography and the Built EnvironmentModern European CultureModern European History and Politics 
History (Central and East European) with Jewish Studies and Year AbroadUPCH: 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 BAUPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject
History, Politics and Economics BA

UPCH: Modern European History and Politics and either EconomicsGeography 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 BScUPSCE: Biology and any other second subject
Human Sciences BScUPSCE: Biology and any other second subject

I

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Infection and Immunity BScUPCSE: 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 BAUPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject
Maths is required for the full Economics pathway

L

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Language with Film Studies BAUPCHMel: 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.

M

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Management Science BSc

UPCH: Mathematics and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and PoliticsGeography and the Built EnvironmentModern European Culture; or Modern European History and Politics

UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject

Mathematics BScUPCH: Mathematics and Economics

UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject
Mathematics with Economics BScUPCH: Mathematics and Economics

UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject
Mathematics with Management Studies BScUPCH: Mathematics and any other second subject

UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject
Mathematics with Modern Languages BScUPCH: Mathematics and any other second subject

UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject
Mathematics and Statistical Science BScUPCH: Mathematics and any other second subject

UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject
Mechanical Engineering BEngUPCSE: 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 BScUPSCE: Biology and either Chemistry or Mathematics
Medical Physics MSci  UPCSE: Mathematics and Physics

N

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Natural Sciences BScUPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject which will depend on the intended Natural Sciences pathway
Neuroscience BScUPCSE: Chemistry and Biology
Nutrition and Medical Sciences BScUPCSE: Biology and any other second subject

 

P

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Pharmacology BScUPCSE: Chemistry and Biology
Pharmacy MPharmUPCSE: Chemistry and Biology
Philosophy and Economics BAUPCH: Mathematics and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics or Modern European History and Politics
Philosophy and History of Art BAUPCH: Modern European Culture and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics or Modern European History and Politics
Philosophy BAUPCH: Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics and either Modern European Culture or Modern European History and Politics
Philosophy, Politics and Economics BScUPCH: Mathematics and either Modern European History and Politics or Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and Politics
Physics BScUPCSE: Mathematics and Physics
Physics with Medical Physics BScUPCSE: Mathematics and Physics
Politics and International Relations BScUPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject
Politics, Sociology and East European Studies BAUPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject
Population Health Sciences BSc

UPCH: Geography and the Built EnvironmentModern European History and Politics or Economics

UPCSE: Biology and either Chemistry or Mathematics

Psychology and Language Sciences BSc

UPCH: Mathematics and either Classical Civilisation: Literature, Philosophy and PoliticsGeography and the Built EnvironmentModern European Culture or Modern European History and Politics

UPCSE: Mathematics and either Biology or Physics

Psychology BSc

UPCSE: Biology and Chemistry; or Mathematics and Chemistry; or Mathematics and Biology 

Psychology with Education BSc

UPCH: Mathematics and any other second subject

UPCSE: Mathematics and/or Biology and/or any other second subject. Please note Physics can only be combined with Mathematics.

R

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Russian and History BAUPCH: Modern European History and Politics and any other second subject

S

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Science and Engineering for Social Change BSc

UPCSE: Mathematics and either BiologyChemistry 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 PoliticsGeography and the Built Environment or Modern European Culture ) are recommended

Security and Crime Science BScUPCH: 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 BScUPCH: Any two optional subjects
Sociology BScUPCH: 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 BScUPCSE: 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 EconomicsGeography 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 EconomicsGeography and the Built Environment or Modern European History and Politics

UPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject

Sustainable Built Environments, Energy and Resources BScUPCSE: Mathematics and any other second subject

T 

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Theoretical Physics BScUPCSE: Mathematics and Physics

U

UCL degree aimRecommended UPC optional subjects
Urban Planning, Design and Management BScUPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and any other second subject
Urban Planning and Real Estate BScUPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and Economics
Urban Studies BScUPCH: Geography and the Built Environment and any other second subject