Which committee do I apply to?

Depending on the nature and location of your research, you may require ethical approval from one or more committees in the UK and overseas. Find out which committee(s) you need to apply to.

As a general rule, you should assume that you will need to apply for UCL unless your study falls within the remit of an external ethics committee (e.g., NHS), or it is classed as minimal risk in line with our policy. There are several ethical approval application routes for UCL staff and students. The information below sets out the different types of ethical committees you may need to apply to based on the type and location of your research.

University ethics review

If your research involves human participants, their tissue, or the collection or use of their data, you should check if you need to apply for UCL ethical approval. Find out which types of research require ethical approval at UCL on our Do I need ethical approval? page. If you are unsure about the type of ethical review required, email ethics@ucl.ac.uk for advice.

Ethical approval at UCL can be obtained via 2 routes:

UCL Research Ethics Committees

UCL's Research Ethics Committees (RECs) review most non-NHS ethics applications across UCL. Different review processes are in place depending on the risks presented by your research. Visit our Apply to UCL's Research Ethics Committees page to find out when and how to apply to a UCL REC.

Local Research Ethics Committees

Several UCL departments and faculties have established Local Research Ethics Committees (LRECs), which can review and approve low-risk applications. Some LRECs also review, and provide useful feedback on, high-risk applications before submission to UCL RECs. Check your local arrangements for applying for ethical approval when planning your application.

A complete list of LRECs, including contact details and links to further information and advice, is available on our Local Research Ethics Committees page.