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Urban Studies BSc

London, Bloomsbury

We are training new generations of urban experts with a deep understanding of how cities are formed and change, along with the tools to find innovative solutions for pressing urban problems. UCL’s Urban Studies BSc draws from sociology, urban economics, urban design, politics, and spatial analytics to prepare you to work in both the public and private sectors, where there is demand for analytical, research, and ideation skills.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
K440
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
AAB
Subjects
Geography, Economics, Government and Politics, History, Business, Design subjects, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and Religious Education/Philosophy preferred
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
BBB more about contextual offers
Subjects
Geography, Economics, Government and Politics, History, Business, Design subjects, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and Religious Education/Philosophy preferred
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
36
Subjects
A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Geography, Economics, Government and Politics, History, Business, Design subjects, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and Religious Education/Philosophy preferred

Contextual offer

Points
32 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Geography, Economics, Government and Politics, History, Business, Design subjects, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and Religious Education/Philosophy preferred

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.

D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Geography, Economics, Government and Politics, History, Business, Design subjects, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and Religious Education/Philosophy preferred

A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher. Geography, Economics, Government and Politics, History, Business, Design subjects, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and Religious Education/Philosophy preferred

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

What makes a city? As populations grow and the places we live are impacted by inequalities, climate change and gentrification, we need creative thinkers who understand how society, the economy, and politics shape the built environment. UCL’s Urban Studies BSc provides you with the knowledge and skills to address these challenges and make positive changes in our cities.

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to go beyond the boundaries of traditional urban planning and urban design. You will have the flexibility to pursue you own interests by taking complementary modules from across our world-class faculty and university. Drawing from different disciplines - such as spatial analytics, development studies, management and economics - will enrich your studies and offer you new skills and methods to engage with the urban world.

During your degree you will:

  • Develop an integrated understanding of cities and urban development as the outcome of social, cultural, economic and political processes.
  • Learn to analyse, evaluate, manage, and deliver urban change, becoming familiar with theories, methodologies, skills, and techniques taken from the social sciences, urban planning and urban design disciplines.
  • Learn to use industry-relevant software applications in urban design, graphic design, communication, GIS.
  • Gain the ability to think critically and creatively about space and place, appreciating the value that different disciplines bring to understanding and shaping our global towns and cities.
  • Explore your own interests and enrich your studies by taking modules from our world-class built environment faculty and university.  
  • Have the option to study abroad, taking advantage of our long-established links with many universities in Europe as well as a growing list in the USA, Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

What this course will give you

World-class research-lead education

The Bartlett School of Planning at UCL has been at the forefront of planning research and teaching for more than 100 years. You will learn from urban experts in our School, with opportunities to engage with professionals through guest lectures and events. This flexible degree also offers you the opportunity to gain expertise from academics from across The Bartlett and UCL through your optional module choices. UCL is a global top 10 university (QS World University 2025) and #1 for built environment studies in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024).

Explore urban challenges in London and beyond

Not only is London the best student city in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2024), but it is also a dynamic, constantly evolving urban environment offering unique opportunities to engage in live projects. London is home to to a diverse range of employers, and an unrivalled concentration of professional meetings, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and events. The opportunity to study abroad allows you to expand your urban knowledge while experiencing a new city.

Build your career in planning

From enrolment, through to three years after graduating you can access UCL’s Careers Service to support you in building your career. You will also have the opportunity to be part of  planning specific careers workshops provided by The Bartlett School of Planning, and engage with industry professionals. 

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Urban Studies.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

In Year 1 you will take:

  • Seven compulsory modules
  • One elective module to be taken within The Bartlett School of Planning

In Year 2 you will take:

  • Five modules selected from The Bartlett School of Planning
  • Three modules to be selected from across UCL – you can explore optional module choices across in the UCL module catalogue and seek advice from the programme director to choose your modules to ensure a coherent academic curriculum.

In your second year you will also have the option to study abroad for a term, subject to academic performance.

In Year 3 you will take:

  • Four modules to be selected from The Bartlett School of Planning
  • Four modules to be selected from across UCL.

In the third term of the third year, the voluntary two-week work experience placement is offered, drawing from our pool of employers.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules









Optional modules




Compulsory modules









Optional modules




Compulsory modules






Optional modules








Your learning

The Bartlett School of Planning employs a very interactive, hands-on form of learning. Alongside lectures, seminars and tutorials we include field visits, group project work, and laboratory and design work sessions to improve your learning experience.

Depending on your modules of choice, you will have the opportunity to go on two extended field trips during your degree, in your first year and third year. The cost of these field trips is included in tuition fees. Many modules include fieldwork or site visits as part of the hands-on learning experience. In previous years field trips have taken students to Porto, Lisbon, Genova, Rotterdam (first year) and Cardiff, Newcastle, Durham. In addition, many modules include fieldwork in London, site visits or day trips as part of the learning experience.

In the third term of the third year, a voluntary two-week work experience placement is offered, drawing from our pool of employers.

Typical contact hours vary between 8-12 hours per week, depending on the year of study and module selection, and include lectures, seminars, practice-based activities and project tutorials. Students will also display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics, required readings and fieldwork or project work in preparation for the discussions promoted in the programme.

Assessment

Your final marks will reflect your success in a wide range of assessment types including essays, individual and group reports, urban design outputs such as posters and models, presentations, and a small number of exams.

As an Urban Studies BSc student, the balance of your assessments will depend on the optional modules that you choose in the second and third years. Details of Year 1 modules are shown above. In your second and third years you will take some modules from our other Planning undergraduate courses and can choose your remaining modules from those offered by The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment or other departments at UCL.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: The Bartlett School of Planning information session

—

Join this online event for The Bartlett School of Planning’s undergraduate courses. Explore our three bachelor’s degrees in Urban Planning Design and Management, Urban Studies, and Urban Planning and Real Estate. Meet Dr Daniel Fitzpatrick, Undergraduate Admissions Tutor, and discuss how you can become a a future urban leader through real-world projects and interdisciplinary learning across urban change, urban design, real estate, management, planning and urban sustainability.

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: The Bartlett Promise Undergraduate Scholarship

—

Join us for an online information session about The Bartlett Promise Undergraduate Scholarship. Discover more about the scholarship scheme, eligibility, tips to apply, and ask any questions you have about the scholarship. You will also have the chance to meet our past scholars to hear about their experience.

Online - Open day

The Bartlett School of Planning information video

Watch this video to find out more about The Bartlett School of Planning at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

94.2% of graduate from The Bartlett School of Planning are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes surveys 2017-2022). Planning graduates work in a vast range of positions in the private, public and third sectors within the built environment and urbanism disciplines (such as planning, property, urban design, economic development, housing, transport, and regeneration), as well as in other sectors where their analytical, negotiating, problem-solving and creative skills are valued. Many students also go on to further studies to continue developing their specialist interests.

Employability

This course enables you to acquire highly transferable knowledge and skills such as data collection, analysis and presentation, graphic skills, resolution of problems and conflicts, negotiation and mediation, teamwork and leadership, managing work tasks, preparing and writing professional reports, as well as written, graphic and oral presentation skills. 

Accreditation

This BSc in Urban Studies provides a solid foundation to apply for postgraduate studies which offer accreditation by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

This course includes two field trips: one in Term 2 of Year 1, and the other in Term 1 of Year 3. Travel and accommodation (including breakfast) for the trip will be covered by UCL, however students will need to cover the costs for visas where needed (up to £100, depending on student nationality and destination), other daily meals and any other personal expenses. The exact subsistence costs will depend on the location and prevailing exchange rates; however, it is estimated that students would need to budget between £200 and £300 for an overseas field trip and £150 for a UK field trip. 

During the course we will also attend site visits across London. Students will need to pay for their own transport to sites. Based on visits last year you should expect to budget up to £60 across the year to access sites by public transport. Sites are always within the TFL travel zones, and full-time students should be able to benefit from a student Oyster card for discounted travel rates. For up-to-date costs visit the TfL website.

Some modules require poster printing. Requirements for poster submission are listed in the module descriptions. Most students on this course should expect to budget up to £30 for poster printing in year 1. Some of these posters will be for group submission so the costs may be shared with others. In years 2 and 3, printing requirements will be dependent on module choice.

If you are selected for the (voluntary) study abroad programme in Term 2, you will pay normal UCL tuition fees but will be responsible for the additional costs of travel, visa application and accommodation associated with this. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website and students are offered information and guidance to support decision-making prior to committing to this opportunity.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

In our faculty, The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in the built environment to pursue undergraduate studies. Please see the Bartlett Promise Undergraduate Scholarship page for more information on eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs.

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

What we look for in an applicant is sincere interest in the degree subject and an intellectual curiosity towards cities, society, economy and the environment. Students won’t have studied “Urban Studies” but could mention any relevant work shadowing, reading around the subject, hobbies, volunteering, or career aspirations. We don’t require particular subjects, but A level subjects should demonstrate interest in cities, social sciences, geography, politics, environmental studies, art, design.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

You may be asked to submit an essay in support of your application.

We will consider applications from people with non-standard qualifications, including mature students with relevant study or work experience. Please use the query form on the admissions queries page, if you need further advice about the acceptability of non-standard qualifications.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Planning
Bartlett School of Planning

ucbqefl@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.