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Around 41% of our students come from outside the UK and we expect our international applicants to have qualifications of a similar standard to our UK applicants.
Applying to UCL
International students should apply to UCL via UCAS, using the same process as UK students.
It is likely that the British Council office(s) in your country will also have information about UCAS.
International entry requirements
In addition to A levels and the International Baccalaureate we accept a range of international qualifications.
Equivalent international qualifications can be found on each degree page. Select your country from the drop down provided in the International qualifications section on degree pages.
Please be aware that you may also need to provide proof of your English language proficiency.
English language requirements and accepted qualifications
If your first language is not English you must be able to provide recent evidence that your spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programmes for which you have applied.
These requirements are different for each degree and can be found in the entry requirements section of each degree page. Please see below the accepted English language qualifications for details of individual English language tests and the grade equivalencies for Standard, Good and Advanced levels at UCL. All test results must be dated within two years of the intended start date of the programme.
GCSE/IGCSE English language
Standard level Pass at 5 (or grade C)
Good level Pass at 5 (or grade C)
Advanced level Pass at 6 (or grade B)
GCSE qualifications are acceptable for meeting the English language proficiency requirement if all four skills are assessed or the spoken language component is separately endorsed on the certificate. Please check the specific IGCSE syllabus requirements below.
Update for applicants affected by COVID-19 pandemic
Please be aware that UCL accepts English language tests that applicants can take online, such as Duolingo, IELTS Indicator and TOEFL Home Edition. Further information about the tests and the requirements can be found below.
Test provider details
Cambridge Assessment International Education
| Qualification name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE English - First Language (0500) or (0990) | Speaking and Listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate |
| Cambridge IGCSE English - First Language (US) (0524) | Speaking and Listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate |
| Cambridge IGCSE English - First Language (UK) (0627) | Speaking and Listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate |
| Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (Speaking endorsement) (0510) or (0993) | Speaking and Listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate |
| Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (Count-in speaking) (0511) or (0991) |
Visit the Cambridge Assessments International Education website
Pearson Edexcel
| Qualification name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Edexcel IGCSE English Language A (4EA1) | Spoken language must be separately endorsed on the certificate |
| Edexcel IGCSE English Language B (4EB1) | Spoken language must be separately endorsed on the certificate |
| Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language (4ES1) | Spoken language must be separately endorsed on the certificate |
Visit the Pearson Edexcel website
Oxford International AQA Examinations
| Qualification name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Oxford AQA IGCSE English Language (9270) | Speaking and Listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate |
| Oxford AQA IGCSE English as a Second Language (9280) |
Visit the Oxford International AQA Examinations website
British Council International Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Version)
Standard level: Overall grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the subtests.
Good level: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.
Advanced level: Overall grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.
Applicants may take the IELTS Indicator test to meet the requirement for entry to the 2021/2022 academic year. The test is acceptable when it was taken after 1 July 2020.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Standard level: Score of 92 overall with 24/30 in reading and writing and 20/30 in speaking and listening
Good level: Score of 100 overall with 24/30 in reading and writing and 20/30 in speaking and listening
Advanced level: Score of 109 overall 24/30 in reading and writing and 20/30 in speaking and listening
Applicants may take the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test to meet the requirement for entry to the 2021/2022 academic year.
Please note that TOEFL iBT MyBestScore is not acceptable for meeting the English language requirement
Other accepted qualifications
- Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency (CPE) [previously known as Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English]
Standard level: Overall score of 176 with 169 in all subtests
Good level: Overall score of 185 with 176 in all subtests
Advanced level: Overall score of 191 with 176 in all subtestsTest provider details
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (CAE) [previously known as Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English]
Standard level: Overall score of 176 with 169 in all subtests
Good level: Overall score of 185 with 176 in all subtests
Advanced level: Overall score of 191 with 176 in all subtestsTest provider details
- Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE) Ordinary Level in English Language
O Level qualifications are acceptable if all four skills are assessed or a separate Oral/Spoken component is passed and confirmed on the certificate.
Standard level: Pass at grade C
Good level: Pass at grade C
Advanced level: Pass at grade BTest provider details
- Duolingo
Standard level: Overall score of 115 with a minimum score of 105 in Comprehension, Literacy and Conversation and 110 in Production
Good level: Overall score of 125 with a minimum score of 115 in Comprehension, Literacy and Conversation and 120 in Production
Advanced level: Overall score of 135 with a minimum score of 125 in Comprehension, Literacy and Conversation and 130 in ProductionTest provider details
Duolingo English Test is acceptable for entry to the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic years.
- UCL Pre-sessional English courses
Standard level: Overall mark of 65%, with at least 60% in each of the sub-tests.
Good level: Overall mark of 70%, with at least 65% in each of the sub-tests.
Advanced level: Overall mark of 75%, with at least 65% in each of the sub-tests.Test provider details
Web: UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE)
- UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate (UPCSE; UPCH)
Standard level: Completion of the Academic English module with a mark of 65%, with a minimum of 60% in each subtest.
Good level: Completion of the Academic English module with a mark of 70%, with a minimum of 65% in each subtest.
Advanced level: Completion of the Academic English module with a mark of 75%, with a minimum of 65% in each subtest.For further information, please visit:
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
For native or near-native speakers
IB English Language A: Literature or
IB English Language A: Language and Literature
IB English Language A: Literature and PerformanceStandard Level grade 4 at either higher or standard level
Good Level grade 4 at either higher or standard level
Advanced Level grade 5 at either higher or standard levelFor non-native speakers
IB English Language B
Standard Level grade 4 at either higher level or grade 5 at standard level
Good Level grade 4 at either higher level or grade 5 at standard level
Advanced Level grade 5 at either higher level or grade 6 at standard levelTest provider details
- European School Leaving/Matriculation Certificates
Austria
All levels: In the Matura/Reifeprufung, 2 (gut) in English when both written and oral examinations have been taken.
Belgium
All levels: In the Diploma van Secundair or the Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Superieur, the equivalent of 8/80%/grote onderscheiding/avec grande distinction in English.
Denmark
All levels: In the Studentereksamen, 10 in English.
European Baccalaureate
All levels: 7.5 in English as either an Obligatory Subject (Language I or II) or as a Full Option (Language III or IV).
Finland
All levels: In the Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen matriculation examination, 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) in English at the Advanced Level.
France
All levels: In the Baccalaureat General or the Option International du Baccalaureat with 13 (assez bien) in English, where the co-efficient applied to the subject is greater than 1.
Germany
All levels: In the Abitur, 12 (gut) in English when taken as an achievement/main/intensive course.
Iceland
All levels: In the Studentsprof matriculation examination, 8 in English when taken as a compulsory modern language.
Luxembourg
All levels: In the Examen de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires, 45 (bien) in English.
The Netherlands
All levels: In the Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) diploma, 7 (ruim voldoende) in English.
Norway
All levels: In the Vitnemal - videregaende opplaering, 5 in English.
Sweden
All levels: In the Avgangsbetyg, C in English.
Switzerland
All levels: In the Maturitatzeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato de Maturita federal maturity certificate or the federally-recognised cantonal maturity certificate, 5 (gut/bien/bene) in English.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic)
UCL will accept the Pearson Test of English (Academic), often referred to as PTE (Academic). The test is taken online at a recognised test centre.
Standard level: 62 overall, with a minimum of 59 in each component
Good level: 69 overall, with a minimum of 62 in each component
Advanced level: 75 overall, with a minimum of 62 in each component.Test provider details
- Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III
Standard level: Successful completion of ISE III with a ‘pass’ in all components
Good level: Successful completion of ISE III with ‘merit’ in all components
Advanced level: Successful completion of ISE III with ‘distinction’ in all componentsContact details