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Study Abroad at SELCS as an Affiliate Student

Students from abroad who spend a period of study at UCL via an Erasmus, Exchange or Junior Year Abroad (JYA) scheme, or following an independent application, are classed as 'Affiliate Students'.

Benefits of studying at UCL

As an Affiliate student you will:

  • Study alongside UCL and international students, benefiting from UCL's world-class teaching system and renowned academics.
  • Have the flexibility to take modules across a range of UCL subjects and departments, tailoring your module to your own particular interests in this area.
  • Have access to your academic Personal Tutor (known as an 'Affiliate Tutor').
  • Be encouraged to integrate into UCL student life, with access to events, societies and clubs both within SELCS and across UCL.
  • Benefit from the prime London location and resources through the surrounding libraries, museums and institutes.
Period of study

Students can apply for a full academic year or one semester:

  • Academic Year = Term 1 + Term 2 + Term 3
  • 1st Semester (September start) = Term 1 (autumn term) 
  • 2nd Semester (January start) = Term 2 (spring term) + Term 3 (summer term)
Academic calendar

UCL academic calendar can be found here. Please note that UCL International Student Orientation Programme (ISOP) takes place in the week preceding the start of term.

Entry route

In SELCS we admit students in both September and January in three different categories:

•   SELCS as first or only named home department:
Students must take 50% of their modules in SELCS. The other 50% may be taken in SELCS or in other UCL department(s), subject to space and prerequisites. IMPORTANT: SELCS does not manage module registration outside of this department and cannot guarantee places in other UCL departments.
•   SELCS as second named home department:
You must take 50% of your modules in your first named department at UCL and 25% within SELCS. The remaining 25% may be taken in other UCL departments (including your first named department and SELCS), subject to space, prerequisites and any local regulations of your first named department.
•   Affiliate students from other UCL departments:
We welcome students from a wide variety of departments and disciplines across UCL to SELCS modules, subject to space and any prerequisites. Information on how to request modules can be found here.

Programme of study

While at UCL, Affiliates follow a programme of study to the same credit level as regular UCL students. This comprises:

  • up to 120 UCL credits (60 ECTS / 32 US credits) in an academic year, or
  • up to 60 UCL credits (30 ECTS / 16 US credits) if studying at UCL for one semester

You may well find that during your studies at UCL you are expected to undertake significantly more individual and independent study outside of classes than you are used to. As a result, you may also have fewer classes per week than at your home institution.

Applications and deadlines
  • Instructions on how to apply can be found here. Applications are submitted to and processed by the central UCL Registry (Admissions).
  • To check your application status or ask questions about the process (including visa queries) please e-mail UCL Admissions via affiliatestudents@ucl.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 20 3108 4400.
  • If you are looking to apply as an Erasmus or Exchange student, please check your university has an appropriate agreement with SELCS department at UCL.

SELCS department offers extended application deadlines for students from partner universities. Before students apply, their home universities should submit a list of nominated students to SELCS office via selcs.studyabroad@ucl.ac.uk.

Month of entryUCL deadlineUCL deadline for SELCS parther universities
September30 March31 May
January30 September31 October
Pre-arrival advice
Start date
  • Affiliate students are expected to arrive in London two weeks before teaching begins, to attend UCL Orientation Programme (first week) and Induction week (second week). 
  • UCL academic year officially begins after Orientation Programme, with a week called 'Induction'. These two weeks are arranged for you to complete your enrolment at UCL, settle in in London, familiarise yourself with UCL systems and campus, finalise your module registration (timetable, seminar group allocations, requesting modules from other UCL departments, changing modules if needed), and sorting out any Erasmus documentation.
Contact us
  • Application and visa queries: e-mail central UCL Admissions Office via affiliatestudents@ucl.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 20 3108 4400.
  • Before arrival (nominations, module pre-registration for SELCS affiliates and induction): e-mail SELCS office via selcs.studyabroad@ucl.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7679 4339. These contact details should also be used by our partner universities at all times.
  • After arrival (module registration and attendance): e-mail SELCS office via selcs-cmii.students@ucl.ac.uk or visit us in Foster Court room 131.
Funding & scholarships
  • Please enquire at your home university about any available funding or scholarships they might have to assist you with your study abroad costs.

    We look forward to welcoming you at SELCS!