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Find out more about our application process, including how to apply and how your application is assessed.
How to apply
Applications for admission to the LLB degree programmes at UCL Laws must be made online through UCAS. Applicants must also take the LNAT alongside their UCAS application.
- UCAS
To apply to UCL Laws you must submit your UCAS application by the 29 January 2025 (UCAS deadline). We will not consider any applications submitted to UCAS after 29 January 2025.
When you apply through UCAS, you will be able to track the progress of your application and stay up to date with responses from universities as decisions on your application are made. Key deadlines are also published on the UCAS website. The UCAS website is also excellent source of information and advice for students applying for degrees.
- National Admission Test for Law (LNAT)
Deadlines
All applicants to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL Laws must take the LNAT alongside the UCAS application. You must take the test no later than 31 December 2024.
Please note that applicants who register for the LNAT just before the registration deadline may experience difficulties obtaining an available test slot by 31 December 2024 due to high demand. We recommend registering and booking the test as early as possible to avoid this problem.
If you do not take the LNAT by the 31 December 2024 deadline, your application will be regarded as a late application, and therefore we will not be able to consider you for a place on one of our LLB degree programmes in the relevant admissions cycle, even if your original application was submitted by the UCAS deadline of 29 January 2025.
Test Centres
You can register to take the LNAT at a test centre near you: the LNAT has 500 test centres in 165 countries around the world.
If you are unable to take the LNAT because there are no test centres in your home country, please contact laws-admissions@ucl.ac.uk before 31 December 2024 and include your UCAS ID number so we can make appropriate checks. We will be able to provide an alternative test if you are unable to book a test at an official test centre.
LNAT bursaries
LNAT have a bursary system under which they waive the test fee altogether for those in receipt of certain state benefits in their country of residence. This applies to UK and EU applicants only, sitting at UK and EU test centres only.
For more information please visit the LNAT bursaries website.
Reasonable adjustments
If you require special arrangements for the LNAT please follow the instructions on the LNAT website well in advance of the deadline. If you are struggling to get a test arranged, please get in touch with us ahead of the LNAT deadline.
Extenuating circumstances
Before the test
If you feel unwell (mental or physical) before your test, we suggest that you reschedule your test rather than sitting your LNAT examination. If you decide to take the test when you are unwell, we will have no way of knowing how you would have done if you had not been unwell and will therefore not be able to take into consideration your circumstances.To confirm, if you attend the exam you are declaring you are fit to do so and the mark you achieve will stand. You will not be permitted to receive any additional consideration from UCL Laws relating to that assessment unless you fall into the category below.
During the test
If there is an incident while you are sitting the test (e.g. a fire alarm or you suddenly fall ill), the test centre will do what it can to minimise the disruption (and to let you finish your test if you are well). The incident will be logged and you will be given an incident number by the test centre staff. Once you have your incident number you need to contact the LNAT Consortium at once so that the incident can be investigated and, where appropriate, a resit test offered (please request a resit if your test was negatively affected).If you were unable to continue with your test due to a sudden illness, you will need to request an approved resit from LNAT. We will then disregard your first attempt and use your resit score, even if your original score is higher than your resit.
More information on test day problems can be found on the LNAT website.
About the LNAT
The LNAT measures the reasoning skills at the heart of legal education, including:
- comprehension
- interpretation
- analysis
- synthesis
- induction
- deduction
The LNAT is a two-part test. The first part includes multiple-choice questions based on passages of text, and the second part requires you to answer one of three essay questions. The LNAT is a computer-based test and lasts for two hours and 15 minutes.
When you have completed the test, your scores from the multiple-choice section are checked by computer, and a mark out of 42 is created. This mark is known as the LNAT score. Your LNAT score and your essay will be sent to participating universities, including UCL. Your results from the LNAT are then used to supplement your university application and demonstrate your aptitude for studying undergraduate law.
You are advised to familiarise yourself with the style and the format of the test before you take it. The LNAT website provides lots of resources and information to help you prepare for the test and what to expect.
Please visit our LNAT Advice and Guidance page to find out more about the LNAT and how to prepare for the test.
- Find out more about how to register and book a test on the LNAT website.
Entry Requirements
Full details of entry requirements (including A levels, GCSEs and equivalents) can be found on the individual programme pages on the UCL Prospectus.
Please note that all of our LLB programmes are heavily over-subscribed. Meeting the minimum academic entry requirements does not guarantee admission onto a programme. Please ensure that you read all the information on this page, including the Frequently Asked Questions section before applying.
A levels (or equivalent) must be completed in the same sitting. A*AA awarded over two different years, for example AA in one year and an additional A* the following year will not satisfy our entry requirements.
We are unable to accept A level (or equivalent) resits (including re-starting year 12) unless your first attempt was impacted by extenuating circumstances.
If you do not meet our GCSE requirements, you may re-sit GCSE subjects. UCL Laws may also waive the maths and/or English language GCSE Grade 6 requirement(s) (but not below the UCL benchmark of Grade 5 unless there are very exceptional circumstances), at the Faculty Tutor's discretion, where there is good reason to do so. More details of this (and other admissions information) can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page, which we recommend that you read.
You must also complete the National Admissions Test for Law, the LNAT. Please see above.
- Academic entry requirements
Visit the following UCL prospectus pages for full details of our academic entry requirements (including A levels, GCSEs and international qualifications):
- LLB Law
- LLB Law with French Law
- LLB Law with German Law
- LLB Law with Hispanic Law
- LLB Bachelor of Laws (UCL) and LLB Bachelor of Laws (HKU)
All accepted school leaving qualifications and the grades required will be listed in the above prospectus pages. If you are currently completing, or have completed a UK qualification (other than A levels) to meet our entry requirements, please check your individual qualification on our prospectus to see if we accept it for entry to our LLB programmes. Additionally, if your school leaving qualification is not listed on our prospectus, we will not be able to accept it.
For applicants whose school leaving qualification does not meet our entry requirements but who have since completed (or are completing) degree level studies, please check the graduate requirements on our country pages for information on degree level entry requirements. UCL Laws requires Upper Second-Class (2:1) (or international equivalent) for entry into our programmes.
- English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you are required to show that your command of the English language, both spoken and written, is adequate to meet the demands of the degree programme. UCL Laws requires applicants to demonstrate a Level 4 in English in addition to all other requirements detailed by UCL.
UCL’s preferred English language qualifications are GCSE English Language and the British Council International Language Testing System (IELTS). Requirements for these qualifications and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), are:
- GCSE/IGCSE English Language: pass at grade 6 (or B).
- IELTS Academic: overall grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each of the subtests.
- TOEFL: 109 overall with 27/30 in reading and writing and 23/30 in speaking and listening.
A full list of the other acceptable qualifications can be found on the Acceptable English language qualifications page of the UCL Prospective Students website.
In accordance with UK Visas and Immigration requirements, students who require a Student Visa to enter the UK must meet these English language requirements.
- Accepted foundation qualifications
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units.Birkbeck Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Studies
Successful completion of the Birkbeck Certificate of Higher Education with 70% overall including 75% in (each module of) two relevant subjectsKing’s International Foundation (KIF) Programme
Successful completion of the programme at grade A (70%), with A/75% in [subject one] and A (70%) in [subject two]. Final mark of B+ (65%) in the English for Scientific Academic Purposes or Academic Expression & Critical Thinking modules is acceptable proof of English language proficiency.Queen Mary University of London International Foundation Programme
1) Humanities and Social Sciences
Completion of the programme with Distinction (70% average) with at least one module at 70% and remaining modules at 65%.
2) Science and Engineering
Successful completion of the Programme with Distinction with 80% in at least two modules of the same subject and at least 70% in all remaining subject modules.Royal Holloway University of London University International Foundation Programme
Successful completion of the programme with 70% overall including 70% in one relevant core module and 75% in the pathway module. Pass required in the IELTS component at UCL English Language ‘Advanced’ level. The UCL Advanced level is equivalent to IELTs overall grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.SOAS Intermediate Certificate Course in Comparative International Studies
Successful completion of the programme with 67% overall, with a minimum of 72% in one optional subject and a minimum of 67% in a second optional subject. Pass in the Intensive English for Academic Study module with 75% overall is acceptable proof of English language proficiency.UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
Award of UPC for Humanities or Science and Engineering with an overall mark of 70%, plus 76% in one elective unit, and 70% in a second elective unit.University of Warwick International Foundation Programme
Successful completion of the programme with 75% overall and 85% in at least one full-year module and 80% in one further full-year module (or two half modules). Pass in the English for Academic Purposes module with Distinction (80%) overall and High Credit (60%) in each component of the EAP module overall is acceptable proof of English language proficiency.University of London Certificate of Higher Education in Common Law
Successful completion of the programme with minimum 60% in each module.University of Cambridge Foundation Year
Successful completion of the University of Cambridge Foundation Year (Cert HE) with 70% overall including 75% in two modules.No other foundation courses or foundation years meet the benchmark or general entrance requirements.
- International student visas
If you wish to undertake undergraduate study in the UK and are not a UK or Irish citizen or covered by the citizens’ rights provisions of the EU Withdrawal Agreement, you will need to apply for a Student visa. We recommend that you start to familiarise yourself with the immigration requirements as soon as you decide to apply for university in the UK to ensure that you can be fully prepared for the visa application process.
We strongly recommend that you read the information regarding the application process on the UCL International Students website and the UK Visas and Immigration website before you begin your application.
NOTE: Students on our dual degree programme with the University of Hong Kong (M103) will only receive a visa for the two years you are studying at UCL.
Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)
A CAS is a 14-digit reference that is given to you by UCL and confirms to the UK Visas and Immigration Service that you are a genuine student.
If you are made an offer to study at UCL Laws and it is expected that you will need to a visa to study in the UK, we will send you an email asking you to log into the UCL Portal to confirm the personal details we hold for you.
It is important that all the names that appear on your passport are included in our records (the order of the names does not need to match that on the passport, as long as they are all present). If your current passport is due to expire before the end of your studies, it is important to check with the relevant visa application services whether you need to renew your passport before confirming your details with UCL and making your visa application.
We are only able to provide a CAS once an applicant is in receipt of an unconditional offer that has been firmly accepted via UCAS, and only once we have been provided with proof of the necessary academic qualifications and English language proficiency.
Please note that we are only able to issue a CAS 90 days prior to enrolment on the degree programme. It is for this reason that we do not begin this process until late June.
UCL will assess your English language proficiency as part of the admissions process. However, as part of your visa application, you will also have to demonstrate evidence of sufficient funds to pass a maintenance test and of your educational qualifications, academic progression and English language proficiency by providing proof of your results, for example, your school-leaving certificates.
Please see the UCL English language requirement webpages for further information (please remember to look under Advanced for the level required for the LLB degree programmes).
You will find practical advice for EU nationals regarding Brexit on our Brexit FAQs page.
How your application is considered by UCL Laws
Please read the information on each stage of evaluation so that you are clear about how your application will be assessed. Please also read our frequently asked questions as these may also answer any queries that you may have.
- Stage One - Academic Qualifications
Once we receive your application from UCAS, one of the first things we look at is whether your application meets our minimum academic entry requirements. These are published on our prospectus and on our website. Unfortunately, due to the level of competition for places on our programmes, if you are not predicted to meet or exceed the academic entry requirements, and/or have not previously met the entry requirements, we will not be able to consider your application further.
- Stage Two - LNAT MCT result
The LNAT is a vital part of your application to UCL Laws. Once we have assessed that you meet the minimum academic criteria, we will look at your LNAT performance. The LNAT is a two-part test, a multiple-choice test and an essay. Each year, UCL looks at the average MCT score of applicants from the previous year or years and sets a benchmark threshold score for the current admissions cycle. Applications from candidates who meet that threshold will then be considered by Admissions Tutors. In the academic year 2023/24, the average LNAT score of test results received by UCL was 24.3, and the average LNAT score of candidates who received an offer at UCL was 29.8. For contextual offers, the average LNAT score of candidates who received an offer at UCL was 28. Please note that there is no score that will guarantee an offer.
- Stage Three - Academic Consideration
Once we have determined that you meet the academic requirements, and that you have obtained a competitive LNAT score, your application is then passed to an Admissions Tutor for consideration. The Admissions Tutor will mark your LNAT essay. The essay part of the LNAT provides academic selectors with a genuine example of a candidate’s own written work and with an invaluable tool in assessing the applicant’s writing skills and ability to formulate, develop and defend argument, skills which are essential to undertaking legal studies. The essay therefore carries considerable weight in the selection process at UCL.
An Admissions Tutor will consider all information provided in your UCAS application. This includes academic history; the motivation demonstrated towards studying law, extra-curricular activities, the academic reference, the LNAT multiple-choice score and LNAT essay. We are primarily looking for candidates that can demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and aptitude for studying law.
What qualities are tutors looking for?
Students on our undergraduate degree programmes come from many different backgrounds, and bring their diverse experiences and ideas to UCL Laws. However, when you apply to study with us, our tutors will be looking for you to demonstrate three key qualities for success in legal education:
- Motivation: you can apply yourself to different tasks and have the ability to engage with sustained and intense work.
- Reasoning ability: you can understand and interpret information, analyse and solve problems using logical and critical approaches, draw fine distinctions and separate the relevant from the irrelevant and draw conclusions. You can make accurate and critical observations and present your ideas through sustained and cogent argument. You can think laterally and demonstrate your creativity and flexibility of thought.
- Communication: you have a willingness and ability to express your ideas clearly and effectively, you can listen and give considered responses.
Tutors will be seeking to detect your future potential as a law student. Your existing achievements (which can be demonstrated by your official examinations, predicted examination results, and school reports), as well as performance in the LNAT, is relied upon as evidence of future potential. Your personal statement and your academic reference also play an important role in assessing your suitability to study law.
UCAS provides lots of helpful advice and information about writing your personal statement, visit the UCAS website to find out more.
In the case of applications to the LLB Law with a European Legal System degree programmes (M141, M142, and M144), you will also need to demonstrate your proficiency in the language related to the programme you have chosen. If you apply for the LLB Law with a European Legal System degree programmes and are a native speaker of the related language, you are not required to have a formal language qualification, but your referee should confirm your proficiency in the reference.
Existing knowledge of the law is not a requirement for admission.
Interview process
If you have applied to one of our LLB Law with a European Legal System degree programmes, and we are considering making an offer to you, we will invite you to attend an interview in order to assess your competence in the language of your programme.
Your knowledge of the law is not being assessed at this stage and will not be considered at your interview, so please don’t worry about knowing everything before your interview!
To explore your motivation for the programme and to help put you at ease, your interviewers might ask questions about your interests and hobbies. UCL Laws has a very active student community, so your general accomplishments may be explored during the interview.