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We are London's Global University
Over 1050 students from the US are currently studying at both undergraduate and graduate level. UCL is known as London’s Global University: 48% of our students are international, representing over 150 different countries.
A world class education
We are a world-leading, research-intensive university, currently ranked 9th in the World, in the QS World University Rankings, 7th in the world in the U.S. News 2025 - 2026 Best Global Universities Rankings and 1st in London for research power in REF 2021. Our students are encouraged to realise their potential and learn from world leading academics in an intellectually challenging and inclusive environment.
Find the programme for you
Choose from over 400 specialist bachelor’s programmes, 3 Study Abroad options, 500 master’s programmes, and a huge variety of PhDs, from Anthropology to Neuroscience. From day one you will focus on your chosen subject area and will be encouraged to develop as an independent learner. Many programmes allow you to take modules from other departments to ensure that you can broaden your understanding of our complex world.
Enjoy cost-effective study
Our degree programmes start at around $40,000 per year for bachelor’s and $44,000 for master’s, and you can complete your bachelor's degree in just 3 years, and your master's degree in just 1 year. This makes UCL a cost-effective option for studying at a world top 10 university, plus you can graduate and start your career sooner than your US peers! UCL students are also eligible to apply for US Federal Student Aid.
Study abroad with UCL
As London’s Global University, we encourage our students to undertake Study Abroad and we have multiple exciting global options available:
- attend summer schools at one of our partner institutions, or
- spend a whole year abroad as part of your degree.
Join #teamUCL
Being a UCL student is about more than challenging yourself academically, it’s also about getting involved in our dynamic community. Experience our exciting city and bring your real-world experience in to the classroom. As a UCL student, you will have access to a wide range of extra-curricular activities, ranging from sports to interest societies, to volunteering.
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
For students domiciled in the US, one of the following will be considered:
- Between three to five AP subjects (see specific requirements below) taken in the final three years of high school
- Between two to four AP subjects, plus the SAT or ACT (see specific requirements below) taken in the final three years of high school
- The successful completion of one year of study at a recognised US university, Community or Junior College, with an overall CGPA of 3.3/4.0 (equivalent to a 2.1) may also be considered.
You can find the individual entry requirements for all each course on our undergraduate prospectus. Search the course(s) you’re interested in and find the US entry requirements under the ‘International applications’ tab.
Please note that each undergraduate course has its own entry requirements. These are usually UK A-Level scores between ABB and A*A*A, or their equivalent for other qualifications.
For equivalencies, please see the table below. Many courses will require A-Level or AP exams in specific subjects.
Advanced Placement Requirements
| A Level | Equivalency AP only | Equivalency AP plus SAT | Equivalency AP plus ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| A*A*A | 5,5,5,5,5 in five distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. | 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1440 in SAT taken in the final three years of high school. | 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, plus 32 in ACT taken in the final three years of high school. |
| A*AA | 5,5,5,5,4 in five distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. | 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1280 in SAT taken in the final three years of high school. | 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, plus 27 in ACT taken in the final three years of high school. |
| AAA | 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. | 5,5,5 in three distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1440 in SAT in the final three years of high school. | 5,5,5 in three distinctive AP subjects, plus 32 in ACT taken in the final three years of high school. |
| AAB | 5,5,5 in three distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. | 5,5 in two distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1440 in SAT in the final three years of high school. | 5,5 in two distinctive AP subjects, plus 32 in ACT taken in the final three years of high school. |
| ABB | 5,5,4 in three distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. | 5,5 in two distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1280 in SAT in the final three years of high school. | 5,5 in two distinctive AP subjects, plus 27 in ACT taken in the final three years of high school. |
The programmes listed below will consider the combination of AP exams, SAT/ACT and high school diploma as an alternative to the above requirement.
| Degree | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Archaeology & Anthropology BA | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects, plus 1440 from SAT OR a composite score of 34 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| Archaeology BA | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects, plus 1280 from SAT OR a composite score of 29 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| Archaeology BSc | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects, plus 1280 from SAT OR a composite score of 29 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| Archaeology with a Placement Year BA | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects, plus 1280 from SAT OR a composite score of 29 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| Archaeology with a Year Abroad BA | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects, plus 1280 from SAT OR a composite score of 29 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation BA | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects, plus 1280 from SAT OR a composite score of 29 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| Economics BSc | 5,5,5 from three distinctive AP subjects including 5 in Calculus BC, plus 1280 from SAT OR a composite score of 29 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. |
| Economics with a Year Abroad BSc | 5,5,5 from three distinctive AP subjects including 5 in Calculus BC, plus 1280 from SAT OR a composite score of 29 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. |
| History BA | 5,5 from two distinctive AP subjects including 5 in History, plus 1440 from SAT OR a composite score of 34 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. |
| History and Politics of the Americas BA | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects, plus 1440 from SAT OR a composite score of 34 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| History and Politics of the Americas with a Year Abroad BA | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects, plus 1440 from SAT OR a composite score of 34 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| History with a Year Abroad BA | 5,5 from two distinctive AP subjects including 5 in History, plus 1440 from SAT OR a composite score of 34 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. |
| Neuroscience BSc | 5,5 from two distinctive AP subjects including 5 in Chemistry, plus 1440 from SAT OR a composite score of 34 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. |
| Pharmacology BSc | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects including Chemistry plus either Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC or Physics, plus 1440 from SAT OR a composite score of 34 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
| Pharmacology MSci | 5,4 from two distinctive AP subjects including Chemistry plus either Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC or Physics, plus 1440 from SAT OR a composite score of 34 in ACT, plus the High School Graduation Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. |
Baccalaureate
| A Level | International Baccalaureate | French Baccalaureate |
|---|---|---|
| A*A*A | 40 points overall including 20 in three Higher Level subjects. | 16.5 overall |
| A*AA | 39 points overall including 19 in three Higher Level subjects. | 15.75 overall |
| AAA | 38 points overall including 18 in three Higher Level subjects. | 15 overall |
| AAB | 36 points overall including 17 in three Higher Level subjects. | 14 overall |
| ABB | 34 points overall including 16 in three Higher Level subjects. | 13 overall |
For a list of distinctive subjects please review the list found in the 'Other subjects' menu.
Please remember to include your full academic history from secondary school onwards on your UCAS application, this includes listing all APs and SATs subjects you are yet to complete but will be completed by August of the cycle in which you apply. Your applications will be reviewed based on the education history you submit via UCAS, so it is vital that this is complete at the point you submit your application. UCL does not consider updated qualification information following the submission of your application so in order for us to know all the exams you have/are sitting and how you meet our entrance requirements, you must include this on your UCAS application.
- Mathematics
- Calculus AB or BC will be accepted for all Faculty of Engineering programmes, with the exception of Computer Sciences.
- Calculus BC is required for Computer Sciences and all other programmes that require mathematics at A level.
- Where Mathematics is listed as a preferred subject, Calculus AB or BC can be accepted. Calculus AB and BC will not count as two separate AP's.
- AP Precalculus cannot be considered where Mathematics is required or preferred. It does not count as a separate AP if Calculus AB or BC have been studied.
Any programme which requires Maths A Level as either A* or A would require either Calculus AB or Calculus BC at grade 5, depending on the programme you're applying to (find futher information above).
Where an applicant has taken both Calculus AB and BC then we do not consider them as two separate APs as AB is a subscore of BC. However if an applicant has just taken Calculus AB it is considered as one standalone AP.
- Physics
Where A level Physics is a required subject, students must have AP Physics.
- Faculty of Engineering will accept either Physics 2, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism or Physics C: Mechanics for programmes where Physics is required or preferred, except for Medical Physics.
- Medical Physics will require both Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism and Physics C: Mechanics. This will count as two separate AP's.
- All programmes in the Department of Physics will require both Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism and Physics C: Mechanics. This will count as two separate AP's.
- All programmes in the Department of Mathematics will require both Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism and Physics C: Mechanics. This will count as two separate AP's.
- Where physics is listed as a preferred subject, all AP Physics qualifications will be accepted.
- Other subjects
Distinctive subjects for US study
Please note: AP CAP'stone (AP Research and AP Seminar) is not accepted.
UCL considers all subjects to be distinctive; the exception is Calculus AB and BC which are not considered to be distinctive subjects. UCL will only consider two Physics papers taken in the last three years of US schooling as distinctive subjects.
Subject Area Accepted AP Exams ARTS Art and Design Programme Art History Music Theory ENGLISH English Language and Composition English Literature and Composition HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Comparative Government and Politics European History Human Geography Macroeconomics Microeconomics Psychology United States Government and Politics United States History World History: Modern MATH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE Calculus AB/Calculus BC Computer Science A Computer Science Principles Statistics AP Precalculus SCIENCES Biology Chemistry Environmental Science Environmental Science Physics 1: Algebra-Based Physics 2: Algebra-Based Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Physics C: Mechanics WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES Chinese Language and Culture French Language and Culture German Language and Culture Italian Language and Culture Japanese Language and Culture Latin Spanish Language and Culture Spanish Literature and Culture
Graduate Entry Requirements
Entry to Master’s programmes at UCL requires a strong undergraduate degree. Please note entry to some doctoral programmes (e.g. MPhil/PhD) will also require a Master's degree. The entry requirements for individual courses can be found on the graduate prospectus. The equivalent qualifications from the US can be found below in the minimum entry requirements.
Minimum entry requirements
UK Upper second-class (2:1)
The award of any of the following from a recognised institution:
- Bachelor's degree with a final CGPA of 3.3/4.0
UK Lower second-class (2:2)
The award of any of the following from a recognised institution:
- Bachelor's degree with a final CGPA of 3.0/4.0
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary by programme and you can find the exact fee on the specific programme page on the prospectus for both undergraduates and graduates.
- Average undergraduate tuition fees vary between £26,200 ($33,254) - £35,000 ($44,431)
- Average graduate tuition fees vary between £29,000 ($36,798) - £35,000 ($44,431)
You can find further information about our fees on our Fees and Funding pages.
For more information about US Student Financial Aid at UCL, please visit our Student Financial Aid page.
Exchange rate correct as of August 2023.
Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UCL’s International Foundation Year) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have enough AP’s - or an alternative qualification - to enter directly.
- More info on the Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates page
Scholarships
US students are eligible to apply for scholarships at UCL. You can find all available scholarships on our Scholarship Finder.
We are partners in Fulbright and Marshall Scholarships and encourage interested applicants to discover more. Each year we have a number of Fulbright and Marshall scholars attend UCL and are proud to participate in these schemes.
Living Costs
We know that you will want to carefully consider your finances when thinking of studying abroad, so we have created an overview of your potential living costs which we hope will help you plan and draw up a realistic budget.
Many of our students work part-time, and our Careers service and Student Union can help you find work. If you do plan to work, please ensure you’re abiding by the conditions of your visa.
US Student Financial Aid
UCL participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loans). This is the main US Federal funding available to US students in the UK. Further information and eligibility criteria is available on our Student Financial Aid page.
What students say
Watch UCL students share their courses and experiences while at university.
Why study in London
Meet our Fulbrighters - Cesar's story
Make your Masters matter
"I enjoy the topics of discussion in my courses. Centring social justice within education allows for an interdisciplinary, critical approach toward education to inform better education practice, thought, pedagogy, theory, and more"
Cesar (CJ) Cortorreal - MA Social Justice and Education - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"I was amazed by how unique the programme offerings were, and wanted to gain a more international perspective on multidisciplinary fields"
Sarah Pitafi MA - Philosophy, Politics, Economics of Health - Carbondale, Illinois
Student Life
UCL is located in the heart of London, in the green and lively area of Bloomsbury. London, and everything it offers, surrounds us and we actively encourage our students to make the most of everything this incredible city has to offer.
We have an active Student Union which offers over 300 clubs and societies. Some we think you might be interested in:
Lists of Visits
Representatives from UCL visit the US throughout the year to meet prospective students. This includes fairs, visits to schools and universities and independent counselling sessions. They are an ideal opportunity to speak to us and learn more about UCL and our courses.
You can find a list of our upcoming visits and events on our UCL Visits Your Country page. You can also reach out to us for an individual appointment. See contact details above.
Alumni and after UCL
It’s really important that you’re part of UCL’s community for life, and we have a really proactive Alumni network in the US who can support you once you graduate.
The UCL Friends and Alumni Association (FAA) is a US non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and support for research, education and innovation at University College London (UCL).
We also have alumni groups who play an important role in supporting UCL’s thriving community. We have US alumni groups based in:
- UCL New York Alumni Club
- UCL Boston Alumni
- UCL Washington DC Alumni
- UCL Los Angeles Alumni
- UCL San Francisco Bay Area Alumni
- UCL Chicago Alumni
- UCL Houston Alumni
New York Alumni Event
In November 2023, our UCL New York Alumni Group had a fantastic social event with great highlights.
Check out our UCL Alumni website for the latest news, exciting events and opportunities to stay connected with UCL and our vibrant, international alumni community.
