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Archives and Manuscripts

UCL Special Collections is home to two archive services: UCL Archives and UCL Institute of Education Archives.

A close up of a Middle English manuscript.  Deep blue and gold decorates black gothic writing.

Links to the catalogues are given below but not all of the collections are fully catalogued online. Draft lists may be available so please contact us for further advice if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

UCL Archives

UCL Archives is comprised of around 400 collections of material from individuals and organisations. Material ranges in date from the 4th century to the present day.

Collections have been deposited, donated or purchased since the founding of UCL in 1826. We continue to collect the archives of individuals associated with UCL and hold on deposit the records of various learned societies and other organisations with a UCL connection.

Particular subject strengths are history of science, politics and social policy, language and literature, Latin American history and economics, and Hebrew and Jewish studies. UCL Archives’ collections also include medieval and early modern manuscripts.

Institutional records of the university such as historical staff and student files are managed by UCL Records.

UCL Archives are stored at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus and at The National Archives in Kew. Material can be viewed either at the Special Collections Reading Room in the South Junction of the Wilkins Building or in a dedicated reading room at The National Archives, depending where the collection is stored. Contact us for further details.

This video demonstrates how to use our dedicated online catalogue to browse and search archives, manuscripts, and records. The video also provides advice on how to go about making a viewing appointment with our Enquires Team.

MediaCentral Widget Placeholderhttps://mediacentral.ucl.ac.uk/Player/f8AJjj9C

UCL Institute of Education Archives

The IOE Archives consists of around 150 deposited and donated collections as well as the historic records of the IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, from 1902 onwards. Material ranges in date from the late 18th century to the present day.

The collections predominantly relate to the history of education but have a broad coverage of research data, policy, practice, and thought in education. They provide a rich resource for the study of education and wider social policy worldwide and cover all levels from pre-school to higher education in formal and alternative settings.

Material from the IOE Archives can be viewed in the reading room at the IOE Library by appointment. Contact us for further details.

This video demonstrates how to use our dedicated online catalogue to browse and search archives, manuscripts, and records. The video also provides advice on how to go about making a viewing appointment with our Enquires Team.

MediaCentral Widget Placeholderhttps://mediacentral.ucl.ac.uk/Player/f8AJjj9C