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UCL staff and students can use other, non-UCL libraries and catalogues, including where UCL has made special access arrangements with other UK institutions.
Contents
- Library catalogues
- Libraries with special UCL arrangements
- Other Libraries in London
- Libraries outside London
Library catalogues
Library Hub Discover
Jisc Library Hub Discover exposes rare and unique research material by bringing together the catalogues of major UK and Irish libraries. In a single search you can discover the holdings of the UK’s National Libraries (including the British Library), many university libraries, and specialist research libraries. It can be used as a key tool for checking whether items are available in the London area, before Taught Postgraduate and Final Year Undergraduate applications are made to use the British Library.
Libraries with special UCL arrangements
- Birkbeck, University of London
Access arrangements for undergraduates
UCL undergraduates can apply online for reference-only access to Birkbeck library by choosing the "UK publicly funded higher education institution (HE in full)" category from the dropdown list.
Access arrangements for taught postgraduates
UCL taught postgraduates can apply online for reference-only access to Birkbeck library by choosing the "UK publicly funded higher education institution (HE in full)" category from the dropdown list.
Access arrangements for PhD and MPhil students and staff
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can apply online for borrowing access from Birkbeck library under the SCONUL Access Band A scheme.
- British Library
Access arrangements for undergraduates, taught postgraduates, PhD and MPhil students and staff.
All UCL students and staff can apply directly to the British Library for reference access upon production of identification. It is also helpful to have some specific ideas of the particular items you wish to consult at the British Library.
- City St George's, University of London
Access arrangements for undergraduates
UCL undergraduates can apply online for reference-only access to City St George's library.
Access arrangements for taught postgraduates
UCL taught postgraduates can apply online for reference-only access to City St George's library.
Access arrangements for PhD and MPhil students and staff
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can apply online for borrowing access from City St George's library under the SCONUL Access Band A scheme.
- Courtauld Institute for Art
Access arrangements for undergraduates and taught postgraduates
UCL undergraduates and taught postgraduates are not generally allowed any form of access to the Courtauld Institute. Day reference access may occasionally be granted in exceptional circumstances, on a "last resort" basis. This is decided by the Courtauld Institute Librarians on a case by case basis. Please contact the Courtauld Institute directly for details but please pursue other options before approaching the Courtauld.
Access arrangements for PhD and MPhil students and staff
UCL PhD and Mphil students and staff can apply for borrowing access from the Courtauld library under the SCONUL Access Band A scheme. The Courtauld Libraries are open to external visitors by appointment only. Bookings must be made at least five days in advance.
- Goldsmiths College
Access arrangements for undergraduates
UCL undergraduates can apply online for reference-only access to Goldsmiths Library.
Access arrangements for taught postgraduates
UCL taught postgraduates can apply online for reference-only access to Goldsmiths Library.
Access arrangements for PhD and MPhil students and staff
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can apply online for borrowing access from Goldsmiths Library under the SCONUL Access Band A scheme.
- King's College London
Access arrangements for undergraduates
UCL undergraduates can apply online for reference-only access to King's College London library.
Access arrangements for taught postgraduates
UCL taught postgraduates can apply online for reference-only access to King's College London library.
Access arrangements for PhD and MPhil students and staff
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can apply online for borrowing access from King's College London library under the SCONUL Access Band A scheme.
- London School of Economics (LSE)
Access arrangements for undergraduates
UCL undergraduates can apply for reference-only access to LSE Library.
Access arrangements for taught postgraduates
UCL taught postgraduates can apply for reference-only access to LSE Library.
Access arrangements for PhD and MPhil students and staff
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can apply for access to LSE Library and can borrow up to four main collection items at a time.
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Access arrangements
UCL undergraduates and taught postgraduates are welcome to register as "Walk-in Visitors" to use the LSHTM Library. On their first visit they will need to bring a UCL ID card and complete an application form.
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can join LSHTM Library as external users, under the SCONUL Access Band A scheme. Please see LSHTM membership for further details.
- Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL)
Access arrangements for undergraduates and taught postgraduates
UCL undergraduates and taught postgraduates can apply for reference access to QMUL libraries as "Independent Researchers" by completing the QMUL online membership application form. You will need to demonstrate a genuine research need in your application to gain access, see full details on using the QMUL library.
Access arrangements for PhD and MPhil students and staff
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can apply for borrowing access to the QMUL libraries via the SCONUL Access Band A scheme. Applicants should complete the SCONUL Access application form and wait to receive a confirmation email. They should then complete the QMUL online membership application form selecting the SCONUL Access Scheme category.
- Royal Holloway
Access arrangements
UCL undergraduates and taught postgraduates are currently unable to apply for free access to Royal Holloway library.
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can apply for borrowing access from Royal Holloway library under the SCONUL Access Band A scheme by completing their External Library Membership Form.
- Royal Veterinary College
Access arrangements
All UCL Staff and Students are able to access Royal Veterinary College's Library if they make an appointment in advance. Access is on a reference only basis and borrowing is not allowed. Please visit the Royal Veterinary College Library website for further details and contact information.
- School of Advanced Study (SAS)
The School of Advanced Study is an association of academic institutions specialising in postgraduate courses and research.
Access arrangements
Access arrangements may differ from one SAS institution library to another. Please contact the relevant library to determine access restrictions for the collections you are interested in visiting.
- Senate House Library (University of London)
Access arrangements
UCL undergraduates, taught postgraduates and PhD, MPhil students and staff can apply online for borrowing access to the Senate House Library.
- SOAS, University of London
Access arrangements for undergraduates
UCL undergraduates can apply online for reference-only access to SOAS library.
Access arrangements for taught postgraduates
UCL taught postgraduates can apply online for borrowing access to SOAS library.
Access arrangements for PhD and MPhil students and staff
UCL PhD and MPhil students and staff can apply online for borrowing access from SOAS library under the SCONUL Access Band A scheme.
Other Libraries in London
University libraries in London area (no special UCL arrangement)
Details of access for UCL staff and postgraduate research students to university libraries in the London area, but not included in the special arrangements group, can be found at the Access25 website or through checking the home pages of the site you wish to visit.
Public and general use libraries
You can join the City of London Library. You can search their catalogue and other online resources by visiting the eLibrary.
Details of your local public library, and information on how to join it, can be found at the UK government's website.
Institute and Museum Libraries
- National Art Library at the V&A
Access arrangements for UCL members
UCL staff and students are able to join the National Art Library at the V&A Museum as members of the public. On your first visit to the Library you will need to show current ID (e.g. passport, bank card, national ID card, etc.) and proof of address (e.g. bank statement, utility bill, driving licence, etc.), in order to complete the joining process and be issued with a Library card.
- Natural History Museum Library
Access arrangements for UCL members
UCL staff and students can apply to the Natural History Museum Library for membership.
- The National Archives
Access arrangements for UCL members
The National Archives web site gives helpful hints on how to plan a visit, how to obtain a reading card and access to their catalogue.
- Science Museum Library
Access arrangements for UCL members
UCL students and staff can have a free reference user ticket from the Science Museum Library as members of the public. Please see the Science Museum Library website for information.
- Wellcome Collection
Access arrangements for UCL members
The Wellcome Collection Library is free to visit and open to everyone, see the Wellcome Collection Library website for information. You can also apply for membership to unlock a range of additional user services.
Libraries outside London
Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL)
UCL staff and students may be eligible to apply for membership of libraries outside London as part of the SCONUL Access Band A scheme or the Sconul Summer Vacation Access scheme.
Please note that UCL is not part of the SCONUL Access Band 'B', Band 'C' or Band 'R' Schemes.
SCONUL Access Band A Access Scheme
The SCONUL Access Band A scheme is available to UCL staff and PhD / MPhil students. Such people wishing to use the scheme should visit the SCONUL Access webpage to complete the online registration form. The SCONUL Access Band A confirmation email and UCL ID card are then taken to the institution you wish to visit to gain preferential access there.
Please note that the SCONUL Access Band A scheme does not apply to undergraduate or taught postgraduate level students.
Sconul Summer Vacation Access Scheme
The Sconul summer vacation access scheme is available to all UCL undergraduates and taught postgraduates. It allows for reference only access to participating institutions during their summer vacation periods. To qualify for such access, UCL students need to take full, valid UCL ID to the institution they wish to visit during the institution's vacation period.
Please note that the SCONUL summer vacation scheme does not operate during the winter and spring vacations. Institutions will be operating to normal term-time access policies during the winter and spring vacations.