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Our entry requirements and guidance to help you successfully complete your MSc Law and Finance application.
UCL’s online application portal for graduate programmes allows you to track the status of your application, resend reference requests, update your contact details, and receive decisions on your application. Take a look at UCL’s How to Apply Guide.
Please note that applications for the MSc Law and Finance programme for 2025/26 entry are open.
Entry Requirements
IELTS or IELTS Indicator: Overall grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 7 in each of the subtests
UCL International Pre-Master’s Course: 75% overall, with a minimum of 70% in each of the four elements of the examination
UCL Pre-Sessional English Course: 75% overall, with a minimum of 70% in each of the subtests
TOEFL or TOEFL Special Home Edition: Overall score of 109 with 27/30 in reading and writing and 23/30 in speaking and listening. Please note that TOEFL iBT MyBestScore is not acceptable for meeting the English language requirement. UCL's institution code for TOEFL is 9163.
- Academic entry requirements
Entrants to the UCL MSc Law and Finance programme must have ‘a high 2.1 (68% or above) across all years of study in an undergraduate degree in law, finance, business, accounting or a related discipline from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. We may consider applicants who are close to but have not met this threshold if they have extensive practical experience and where space on the programme are available. Please refer to the UCL Graduate Prospectus for international equivalent qualifications.
- English language requirements
If you are not a national of a country deemed by the UK Home Office to be "majority English speaking", you are required to show that your command of the English language is sufficient to meet the demands of the degree programme. The English language level for this programme is: Level 4
Please note that the test result must have been awarded no more than two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment and the required scores must be achieved within a single test.
We accept the following English language proficiency tests:
IELTS or IELTS Indicator: Overall grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 7 in each of the subtests
UCL International Pre-Master’s Course: 75% overall, with a minimum of 70% in each of the four elements of the examination
UCL Pre-Sessional English Course: 75% overall, with a minimum of 70% in each of the subtests
TOEFL or TOEFL Special Home Edition: Overall score of 109 with 27/30 in reading and writing and 23/30 in speaking and listening. Please note that TOEFL iBT MyBestScore is not acceptable for meeting the English language requirement. UCL's institution code for TOEFL is 9163.We may also accept the following as evidence of your English language proficiency:
UCL Laws may also accept evidence of recent substantial academic education in a country that UCL considers to be "majority English-speaking" (usually a minimum of three years, for example, a three year degree course) undertaken no more than the summer two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment. The list of "majority English-speaking" countries can be found on the main UCL English language requirements page.
We do not accept work experience as evidence of English language proficiency for the MSc Law and Finance.
UCL Laws reserves the right, in individual circumstances, to specify an additional language requirement for an applicant. UCL also reserves the right, after acceptance, to require any student to withdraw from UCL if, in the opinion of the relevant teacher, the student’s proficiency in English is inadequate.
- UCL Pre-sessional English courses
- We would urge you to take a language test in your own country in order to meet the English language condition. If it is not possible for you to complete a language test in your country, you may be able to take a pre-sessional English course at the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education. These courses are very popular, so please check availability and your eligibility for the programmes in advance. Visit the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education website for further details of courses, tuition fees, and how to apply.
- We do not accept results from any language centre other than UCL. If you do take a pre-sessional English language course elsewhere, you will need to sit/resit one of the tests above in order to meet the English language requirement.
- We do not accept work experience as evidence of English language proficiency for the MSc Law and Finance.
- UCL Laws reserves the right, in individual circumstances, to specify an additional language requirement for an applicant. UCL also reserves the right, after acceptance, to require any student to withdraw from UCL if, in the opinion of the relevant teacher, the student’s proficiency in English is inadequate.
- In accordance with UK Visas and Immigration requirements, students who require a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa to enter the UK must meet these English language requirements.
- We may also accept the following as evidence of your English language proficiency:
- UCL Laws may also accept evidence of recent substantial academic education in a country that UCL considers to be "majority English-speaking" (usually a minimum of three years, for example, a three year degree course) undertaken no more than the summer two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment. The list of "majority English-speaking" countries can be found on the main UCL English language requirements page.
When to apply
Applications for 2025/26 entry opened on 13 November.
We run a rolling admissions process, meaning that once places for the programme are allocated, we sometimes close applications early. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
The deadline for those who will need a visa to study is 4 April 2025.
The deadline for those who do not need a visa to study is 29 August 2025.
What you need to apply
Academic Transcripts: Provide scanned or digital transcripts (with certified English translations if necessary). Include all marks if still studying.
Personal Statement: Tell us about yourself and what your motivations are. Submit a statement up to 3000 characters via the text box or upload a document (max two A4 pages, size 12 font). It is important that your personal statement addresses each of the bullet points listed below.
Reference: Two references are required of which one should be academic. Ensure your referees are aware and has a valid email. Once you have completed your application, your referees will receive a secure link via email to complete their reference. They will need to submit their reference via the online system within two weeks of the deadline.
Your referees should be someone who can comment upon your suitability for the programme and your academic reference should be acquainted with your academic ability, research and writing skills.
Assessing your application
Successful applicants will receive a formal offer signed by the UCL Academic Registrar. This letter will indicate whether the offer is unconditional or conditional. In order to secure your place on the programme, a tuition fee deposit is required by the deadline outlined on your offer letter.
The application process involves several stages:
- Initial review by UCL Central Admissions to ensure it is complete.
- Assessment of the qualifications by the MSc Law and Finance Admissions team to see if you meet the entry requirements set out on the website. If a document is missing the team will contact you to upload it. Your application will not be assessed until all documents are supplied.
- The MSc Law and Finance Admissions team (including academic admissions tutors) will assess your application and either recommend you for an offer or a rejection and refer your application back to the Central Admissions team.
- Final decision by the Central Admissions team.
Make sure to regularly check your application portal and email for updates. Given the volume of applications we receive, it can take at least 10 working weeks, upon receiving an acknowledgement email confirming that your application is complete, to make a decision on your application.
For efficient service, please refrain from contacting the Laws Graduate Office about your application status during these 10 weeks. If you have not received a notification after this period, you can reach out to the MSc Law and Finance Admissions team with your application ID.