Progressing to an undergraduate degree
Read about progression outcomes, applying to UCL and other UK universities, guaranteed UCL offers, choosing the right UPC optional subjects and UCAS application support.
The UPC has excellent progression rates and is a great way to start your academic journey.
Most of our students go on to study their undergraduate degrees at the best UK universities.
UCL and all other UK universities consider our Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) for entry to undergraduate degrees. This includes Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and LSE.
Progression outcomes
See which universities and degree programmes UPC students progressed to in the last three years.
| Progression destination | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCL | 56% | 62% | 62% |
| Another Russell Group university | 26% | 17% | 18% |
| Another UK university | 7% | 10% | 10% |
| Did not progress to a degree in the following academic year | 11% | 11% | 10% |
Universities and degrees our students progressed to
Explore the universities and degree programmes UPC students progressed to in the last three years.
2025
Here are the universities and degrees our students progressed to in 2025.
- Applied Medical Sciences BSc
- Archaeology BSc
- Architecture BSc
- Arts and Sciences BA/BSc
- Biochemical Engineering BEng
- Biological Sciences BSc
- Biomedical Sciences BSc
- Business and Health BSc
- Chemical Engineering BSc
- Chemistry BSc
- Computer Science BSc
- Data Science BSc
- Economics and Statistics BSc (Econ)
- Education, Society and Culture BA
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
- English BA
- Experimental Linguistics
- Geophysics
- Global Humanitarian Studies
- Global Humanitarian Studies BSc
- History and Philosophy of Science
- History of Art
- History, Politics and Economics
- Human Neuroscience
- Human Sciences
- Information Management for Business
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Statistical Science
- Mathematics with Management Studies
- Mechanical Engineering
- Media BA
- Neuroscience BSc
- Pharmacology BSc
- Pharmacy MPharm
- Politics and International Relations BSc
- Politics, Sociology and East European Studies BA
- Population Health Sciences BSc
- Psychology with Education BSc
- Science and Engineering for Social Change BSc
- Social Sciences BSc
- Sociology and Politics of Science BSc
- Statistics and Management for Business BSc
- Statistics, Economics and a Language BSc
- Statistics, Economics and Finance BSc
- Theoretical Physics BSc
University of Bristol
- Artificial Intelligence BEng
- Education Studies BSc
- Mechanical Engineering MEng
University of Cambridge
- Engineering BA
Durham University
- Geophysics BSc
The University of Edinburgh
- International Business MA
Imperial College London
- Biochemistry BSc
- Computing BEng
- Computing MEng
King’s College London
- Economics BSc
- Law LLB
- Liberal Arts BA
- Nutritional Sciences BSc
- Philosophy BA
- Psychology with a Professional Placement Year BSc
- Social Sciences BA
University of Leeds
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Economics and Finance BSc
- Economics and Mathematics BSc
- International Development BA
London School of Economics and Political Science
- International Social and Public Policy BSc
- Mathematics, Statistics and Business BSc
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc
- Sociology BSc
The University of Manchester
- Law LLB
- Public Health BSc
Newcastle University
- Pharmacy MPharm
University of Nottingham
- Economics and Econometrics BSc
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng
Queen Mary University of London
- Biology BSc
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Finance BSc
- Law and Politics LLB
- Law LLB
- Mathematics and Statistics BSc
University of Southampton
- Fashion Marketing with Management BA
University of Warwick
- Mathematics and Statistics BSc
City, University of London
- Business with Finance BSc
- Finance BSc
- Finance with Professional Placement BSc
- Psychology BSc
- Sociology with Psychology BSc
Goldsmiths, University of London
- Media and Communications BA
University of Reading
- Nutrition with Professional Training BSc
SOAS, University of London
- International Relations BA
- Politics and Economics BA
University of Surrey
- Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics MPhys
University of the Arts London
- Architecture BA
2024
Here are the universities and degrees our students progressed to in 2024.
- Applied Medical Sciences BSc
- Architecture BSc
- Arts and Sciences BASc
- Biochemistry BSc
- Biological Sciences BSc
- Biomedical Sciences BSc
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Chemistry BSc
- Chemistry with Management Studies BSc
- Comparative Literature BA
- Computer Science BSc
- Construction Project Management MSci
- Data Science BSc
- Economics and Business with East European Studies BA
- Economics and Statistics BSc
- Economics BSc
- Education, Society and Culture BA
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
- Experimental Linguistics BSc
- French BA
- History BA
- History of Art BA
- Information in Society BSc
- Information Management for Business BSc
- International Social and Political Studies BA
- Language and Culture BA
- Law LLB
- Linguistics BA
- Management Science BSc
- Mathematics and Physics BSc
- Mathematics and Statistical Science BSc
- Mathematics BSc
- Mathematics with Economics BSc
- Mechanical Engineering BEng
- Mechanical Engineering with Business Finance MEng
- Media BA
- Natural Sciences BSc
- Neuroscience BSc
- Pharmacy with Integrated Pre-registration Training MPharm
- Physics BSc
- Politics and International Relations BSc
- Politics, Sociology and East European Studies BA
- Psychology and Language Sciences BSc
- Psychology with Education BSc
- Social Sciences BSc
- Social Sciences with Data Science BSc
- Sociology BSc
- Statistics BSc
- Statistics and Management for Business BSc
- Statistics Economics and Finance BSc
University of Cambridge
- History and Modern Languages (German) BA
Cardiff University
- Architecture BSc
- Biomedical Sciences BSc
Imperial College London
- Biochemistry BSc
- Biomedical Engineering MEng
- Biotechnology BSc
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering BEng
- Physics BSc
King's College London
- Psychology BSc
- Computer Science BSc
- Liberal Arts BA
University of Liverpool
- Game Design BSc
London School of Economics and Political Science
- Geography BSc
- Language, Culture and Society BSc
- Mathematics, Statistics, and Business BSc
- Politics and Economics BSc
University of Manchester
- Management BSc
Queen Mary University of London
- Biology BSc
- Geography with Business Management BSc
- International Relations with Business Management BA
- Law with Business LLB
- Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics BSc
University of Southampton
- Economics and Accounting BSc
University of Warwick
- Psychology BSc
Birkbeck, University of London
- Psychology BSc
City, University of London
- Business Management, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship BSc
- Economics BSc
- International Political Economy BSc
- Law LLB
Goldsmiths, University of London
- Psychology BSc
Loughborough University
- Business Economics and Finance BSc
- Human Biology BSc
Royal Holloway, University of London
- Biochemistry BSc
University of the Arts London
- Architecture BA
University of Reading
- Agriculture with International Foundation Year BSc
University of Bath
- Pharmacology BSc (Hons) with professional placement
University of Westminster, London
- Architecture and Environmental Design BSc Honours
- Finance BSc
2023
Here are the universities and degrees our students progressed to in 2023.
- Ancient World BA
- Architecture BSc
- Architecture MSci
- Arts and Sciences BASc
- Astrophysics BSc
- Biochemical Engineering BEng
- Biochemistry MSci
- Biomedical Sciences BSc
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Chemistry MSci
- Comparative Literature BA
- Computer Science BSc
- Crime and Security Science BSc
- Data Science BSc
- Economics and Business with East European Studies BA
- Economics and Statistics BSc (Econ)
- Education Studies BA
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering MEng
- English BA
- Geography and Economics BSc
- Global Humanitarian Studies BSc
- History, Politics and Economics BA
- Information Management for Business BSc
- International Social and Political Studies BA
- Mathematics and Physics MSci
- Mathematics and Statistical Science BSc
- Mathematics with Economics BSc
- Mathematics with Management Studies BSc
- Mechanical Engineering BEng
- Media BA
- Medical Innovation and Enterprise BSc
- Medical Physics MSci
- Natural Sciences BSc
- Neuroscience BSc
- Pharmacology BSc
- Pharmacy MPharm
- Philosophy BA
- Politics and International Relations BSc
- Politics, Sociology and East European Studies BA
- Psychology with Education BSc
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng
- Social Sciences BSc
- Statistics and Management for Business BSc
- Statistics, Economics and a Language BSc
- Statistics, Economics and Finance BSc
- Theoretical Physics MSci
- Urban Planning, Design and Management BSc
Durham University
- Classics BA
- Criminology BA
Imperial College London
- Computing BEng
King's College London
- International Development BA
- Pharmacy MPharm
London School of Economics and Political Science
- Economic History BSc
- International Social and Public Policy BSc
Queen Mary University of London
- Biomedical Sciences BSc
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence BSc
- International Relations with Business Management BA
- Law LLB
- Politics and International Relations BA
University of Bristol
- Chemistry MSci
- Computer Science BSc
University of Edinburgh
- Architecture BA/MA
- Computer Science BEng
- International Business MA
University of Glasgow
- Neuroscience BSc/MSci
University of Leeds
- Mathematics and Statistics BSc
University of Manchester
- Architecture BA
- Law LLB
University of Southampton
- Business Management BSc
- Economics BSc
University of Warwick
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA/BSc
University of York
- Chemistry BSc
AA School of Architecture
- Architecture BA
City, University of London
- Civil and Infrastructure Engineering BEng
- Computer Science BSc
- Economics BSc
- Sociology with Psychology BSc
Goldsmiths, University of London
- Media and Communications BA
SOAS University of London
- Law LLB
- Social Anthropology BA
University of Bath
- Management with Marketing BSc
University of the Arts London
- Architecture BA
University of Westminster
- Architecture BA
- Interior Architecture BA
Applying to UCL
There are over 400 undergraduate degree programmes at UCL.
The only UCL degrees you cannot apply to with the UPC are Fine Art BA/BFA, Engineering and Architecture MEngArch and Medicine MBBS.
You can browse all the degrees available to you in our undergraduate prospectus.
Guaranteed UCL offers
For over 230 UCL degrees listed below, UPC students are guaranteed to receive a conditional undergraduate offer if:
- their UPC predicted grades meet the entry requirements for the degree
- they have written a clearly relevant personal statement.
Students who fulfil their offer conditions will automatically progress to their UCL degree.
If your intended undergraduate degree is not listed below, you can still apply to it during your UPC year. However, you will not be guaranteed an offer.
- Biochemical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Biochemistry BSc/MSci
- Biological Sciences BSc/MSci
- Biomedical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Biomedical Sciences BSc
- Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Business and Management) BSc
- Bulgarian and another language BA
- Bulgarian and East European Studies BA
- Business and Health BSc/MSci
- Cancer Biomedicine BSc
- Chemical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Chemistry BSc/MSci
- Civil Engineering BEng/MEng
- Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation BA
- Communications BA
- Computer Science BSc/MEng (see Computer Science degrees)
- Computer Science and Mathematics MEng (see Computer Science degrees)
- Crime and Security Science BSc/MSci
- Czech and another language BA
- Danish and a SSEES language BA
- Data Science BSc
- Dutch and a SSEES language BA
- Early Childhood Education BA
- Earth Sciences BSc/MSci
- Economics and Business with East European Studies BA
- Economics and Business with East European Studies with a Year Abroad BA
- Economics and Statistics BSc (Econ)
- Education, Society and Culture BA
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Environmental Geoscience BSc/MSci
- Finnish and another language BA
- Finnish and East European Studies BA
- French and a SSEES language BA
- Geography BA/BSc
- Geography and Economics BSc
- Geology BSc/MSci
- Geophysics BSc/MSci
- German and a SSEES language BA
- Global Humanitarian Studies BSc
- History and Philosophy of Science BSc
- History, Politics and Economics BA
- Human Sciences BSc/MSci
- Human Sciences and Evolution MSci
- Hungarian and another language BA
- Hungarian and East European Studies BA
- Management for Social Change BSc
- Management Science BSc/MSci
- Marketing BSc
- Mathematics BSc/MSci
- Mathematics and Physics BSc/MSci
- Mathematics and Statistical Science BSc/MSci
- Mathematics with Economics BSc/MSci
- Mathematics with Management Studies BSc/MSci
- Mathematics with Mathematical Physics BSc/MSci
- Mathematics with Modern Languages BSc/MSci
- Mechanical Engineering BEng/MEng
- Medical Innovation and Enterprise BSc/MSci
- Medical Physics MSci
- Natural Sciences BSc/MSci
- Neuroscience BSc/MSci
- Norwegian and a SSEES language BA
- Nutrition and Medical Sciences BSc
- Pharmacology BSc/MSci
- Physics BSc/MSci
- Physics with Medical Physics BSc
- Polish and another language BA
- Polish and East European Studies BA
- Politics, Sociology and East European Studies BA
- Politics, Sociology and East European Studies with a Year Abroad BA
- Population Health Sciences BSc/MSci
- Population Health Sciences (Data Science) BSc/MSci
- Psychology with Education BSc
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng
- Romanian and another language BA
- Romanian and East European Studies BA
- Russian and another language BA
- Russian and History BA
- Russian Studies BA
- Science and Engineering for Social Change BSc
- Serbian/Croatian and East European Studies BA
- Serbian/Croatian and another language BA
- Social Sciences BSc
- Social Sciences with Data Science BSc
- Sociology BSc
- Sociology and Politics of Science BSc
- Spanish and a SSEES language BA
- Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences BSc
- Statistics BSc
- Statistics and Management for Business BSc
- Statistics with Economics and Finance BSc
- Technology and Innovation BSc
- Theoretical Physics BSc/MSci
- Ukrainian and another language BA
- Ukrainian and East European Studies BA
Computer Science degrees
The Department of Computer Science will make a maximum of six guaranteed conditional offers in total per year to UPC students, for their degrees:
- Computer Science BSc/MEng
- Computer Science and Mathematics MEng
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng (see Computer Science degrees)
UPC students applying to these degrees do not have to take the TARA (The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) entrance test.
Choosing your optional subjects
This guide will help you select your two UPC optional subjects so that you can enter, and succeed in, your future undergraduate degree.
We accept applications for students who wish to study any undergraduate degree except from these degrees:
- Fine Art BA/BFA
- Engineering and Architectural Design MEng
- Medicine MBBS
When choosing your UPC optional subjects, you should:
- choose optional subjects that are relevant to your future degree
- choose optional subjects that interest you
- consider the UPC entrance tests, as you will have to take specific tests for some UPC subjects
- use our practice tests to help you decide whether you are likely to do well in those subjects.
You will not be able to change your subjects after you have accepted a place on the course.
In a small number of cases, we can make exceptions where timetabling and student numbers allow.
Check the UCL undergraduate prospectus for the entry requirements for your intended degree.
For many degrees, you must choose one or two specific UPC optional subjects. You may also need to have studied the subject at high school level.
If one or two A-level subjects are required for your degree, you will usually need to choose the same subject or subjects on the UPC.
For some degrees, no specific subject is required, or only one subject is required. In these cases, the guide below shows the subjects we recommend.
Not all UCL undergraduate degrees are listed below. If your degree is not listed, or you are unsure which subjects to choose, contact the UPC Administration Team.
What UPC grades you will need
These are the grades you need to enter a UCL undergraduate degree and their A-level equivalents.
You can read more about specific grade requirements in the undergraduate prospectus.
Equivalence with A-level grades
The table below gives approximate equivalences to A-level grades.
| A-level grade | A* | A | B | C | D | E | U |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPC percentages | 76-100% | 70-75% | 64-69% | 56-63% | 48-55% | 40-47% | 0-39% |
| UPC grades | A* | A | B | C | D | E | F |
You can calculate your IELTS score for admission to UCL undergraduate degrees by dividing the score you get in Academic English by ten.
For example, 65% in the Academic English subject is 6.5 in IELTS.
Types of undergraduate degree offer
Conditional offers are usually expressed in one of these ways:
- an overall average percentage
- an overall average with a specified percentage in one or more subjects, normally both optional subjects
- an English language requirement, where necessary.
Examples of offers
Below are some examples of broadly typical offers and their UPC equivalents.
| A-level offer | UPCSE offer | UPCH offer |
|---|---|---|
| A*A*A | Award of UPCSE with 70% overall and 76% in both optional subjects. | Award of UPCH with 70% overall and 76% in both optional subjects. |
| A*AA | Award of UPCSE with 70% overall with 76% in one optional subject and 70% in the second optional subject. | Award of UPCH with 70% overall with 76% in one optional subject and 70% in the second optional subject. |
| AAA | Award of UPCSE with 70% overall and 70% in both optional subjects. | Award of UPCH with 70% overall and 70% in both optional subjects. |
| AAB | Award of UPCSE with 64% overall and 70% in both optional subjects. | Award of UPCH with 70% overall and 70% in one optional subject and 64% in the second optional subject. |
| ABB | Award of UPCSE with 64% overall with 70% in one optional subject and 64% in the second optional subject. | Award of UPCH with 70% overall and 64% in both optional subjects. |
The conditions of your offer will need to be met solely with your final UPC grades.
Applicants to many Imperial degrees will need to sit an admissions test as part of their undergraduate application.
If you are thinking of applying to Imperial, you may need to register for your admissions test before you start the UPC.
Check which admissions test you need to take and when you need to register by.
If you are aiming to study at the London School of Economics (LSE), you will need to take the LSE Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA).
What is the LSE UGAA exam?
The LSE UGAA is used to assess applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds. This means students without A-levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Naturally, this also includes UPC students. It is a core part of the LSE undergraduate admissions process.
The assessment is three hours long and consists of an English section and a Mathematics section. It is designed to test your written and numerical skills.
The assessment has two sections: an essay question (Section A) and mathematical problems (Section B or Section C). It is not an assessment of general knowledge.
- Section B is for non-quantitative programmes without a Mathematics requirement.
- Section C is for quantitative programmes with a Mathematics requirement.
You will be assigned the appropriate Mathematics paper on this basis, either Section B or Section C.
Applicants applying for LLB Laws (M100) will not be asked to sit the UGAA. Instead, the essay section of the LNAT will be assessed. LSE Undergraduate Admissions will contact these students if the academic selector wishes to assess the LNAT essay as part of their application.
The examiners assess the clarity, precision and complexity of your language and vocabulary.
They are looking for a logical structure and argument that show you understand key concepts.
They will also check your mathematical accuracy and techniques.
If you have not used your mathematics skills recently, please refer to BBC Bitesize or the National Numeracy Challenge to help you prepare.
When does the exam take place?
After submitting your UCAS application and personal statement, you might be invited to take the LSE exam. It takes place in March. Remember that LSE undergraduate admissions are highly competitive.
In 2025, 12 UPC students received invitations for the exam.
Invitations can arrive up to two weeks before the exam date, but sometimes only one week before.
How can I prepare?
Past papers are available on the LSE UGAA web page.
There is also a section called “How do I revise?” with a list of suggested resources on the same page.
As invitations to take the exam are usually received at short notice, we recommend that LSE applicants familiarise themselves with the exam format once their UCAS form has been submitted in January.
The UPC may be able to offer additional support if invitations are received with sufficient time.
Please inform the UPC UCAS Coordinator as soon as you receive an invitation from LSE to take the exam.
Applications to Oxbridge are some of the most competitive in the world.
Find out about our rigorous selection process for Oxbridge applications and the support we offer.
Why is preparation support needed for Oxbridge applications?
You must submit your application to Oxbridge by mid-October.
The Oxbridge admissions process begins earlier in the UCAS cycle than other universities.
When you join the UPC in September, you will have less than three weeks to complete your application to all five university choices you may wish to make.
You will be competing against some of the world’s highest-achieving students.
For the best chance of success, both your subject area knowledge and English skills must be at the highest standard possible.
What support is available?
If we decide to support you following our rigorous selection process, we can help you ensure your personal statement is both accurate and relevant to the degree you are applying for.
We also offer individual interview practice, so you can work on your technique with us.
How will UPC teachers decide whether to support your application to Oxford or Cambridge?
The UCAS Oxbridge application process is extremely competitive.
We make our decisions very carefully on this basis.
We assess your suitability to submit an early UCAS application based on strict criteria.
These include:
1. English language level
You must have a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 7.5 overall with 7.0 in each subskill, or equivalent.
2. UPC interview and entrance tests
You must achieve strong results in the entrance tests and perform excellently in the interview.
3. Personal statement
You need to submit a thoroughly prepared final application personal statement to us before we can consider you.
If you are selected to proceed to the next stage, we will ask you to take part in a mock test and interview.
4. Mock Oxbridge entrance test
You will need an excellent performance in a two-hour, timed, unseen examination based on a typical Oxbridge entrance test.
5. Mock Oxbridge interview
If you are successful in the mock entrance test, you will be invited to a formal interview.
After the interview, we will decide whether we will support your application.
Why can’t everyone apply to Oxbridge?
All of our students are academically talented.
You should be proud to have made it onto the UPC course following our rigorous application process.
However, the Oxbridge admissions process is even more difficult.
The short timeframe to apply to Oxford or Cambridge means the process is very demanding.
For this reason, we can only support students who are likely to be invited for interview and made a conditional offer.
Our experience and expertise ensure we are able to support students who can meet the high requirements of a UCAS Oxbridge application.
However, we cannot guarantee a successful offer as the demand for limited places is so high.
How can I prepare before joining the UPC in September?
If you hope to apply for Oxbridge, you should:
- arrive in London with your UCAS personal statement already prepared
- know which college you want to apply for, unless you are making an open application
- be an avid reader and a high-achieving student at high school
- look at the Oxbridge websites to learn about the Oxbridge admissions process, including relevant additional admissions tests, interview questions and mock interviews
- try to read an English newspaper or magazine at least once a week, for example The Times or The Economist, to stay informed about current affairs
- watch news and documentaries on BBC or YouTube.
UCAS stands for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
It manages the application process for universities in the UK.
As a UPC student, you will register for a UCAS university application linked to your department, UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE), in weeks one and two of the course.
This allows you to apply to up to five universities.
Please do not register for an independent UCAS application before you arrive.
We will help you register.
A key element of your year with us is that you will be supported with your UCAS application to undergraduate degree programmes in the UK.
At the start of First Term, Rob, UPC’s dedicated Education Advisor, will contact you to give you the information you need to start preparing your UCAS application.
You will have two UCAS introductory sessions and guided UCAS registration at the start of First Term.
We also provide year-round online resources and individual support for the entire process.
This includes:
- completing the UCAS form
- degree course and university selection
- understanding entry requirements
- acceptance of conditional offers
- confirmation.
Your personal tutors will also support you with your UCAS personal statement in First Term.
At the end of First Term, the UPCH and UPCSE Coordinators will consult with your tutors and, based on your overall performance, write a UCAS reference in support of your application.
The UCAS reference will include predicted UPC grades based on your First Term performance and potential, which are a key component in successfully receiving conditional offers.
The main deadline for your UCAS university application is mid-January while you are on the UPC.
However, we ask UPC students to complete their applications by the end of Term One.
Applicants for Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Sciences, and students we support for applications to Oxford or Cambridge, need to apply by mid-October, soon after you start the UPC.
We offer tailored support to selected students who want to apply to degrees at Oxbridge.
You will receive decisions from the universities you have applied to between January and April.
As part of the application process, you may also be invited to attend open days or interviews, or asked to take additional entrance tests, depending on the degree or degrees you have applied for.
We recommend that you think carefully before you start the UPC about the undergraduate degree programme you intend to study, and which universities you may like to apply to in or outside London.
This is because applications for undergraduate degree courses are made relatively early in the academic year, usually between October and December, depending on your applicant group.
You should:
- research the undergraduate degree you are planning to study at UCL or at other UK universities after the UPC, and make sure you look at the degree summary, structure and topics covered in years one, two and three, tuition fees, and any additional options offered, such as studying abroad, language units or work experience
- check the entry requirements of the degree programme, including any specific subjects, other prerequisites or a particularly high English language requirement
- find out about, and prepare for, any additional entrance test or task you may need to complete, such as the LNAT for top LLB Law degrees.
Rob Doswell is a UCL graduate who has worked as the UCL CLIE Education Advisor for a number of years, previously working as a course coordinator and tutor.
Before joining UCL CLIE, he worked for the British Council in Japan and as a tutor in various colleges in London.
Admissions to subject-specific degrees
Some undergraduate degrees have additional entry requirements in addition to your predicted or final grades.
You should check the entry requirements in the undergraduate prospectus for the degree programme you wish to apply for to see whether any additional tests or tasks are required.
Below you will find additional requirements for some UCL degrees.
If you wish to apply to the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture, or to an architecture-related degree at another UK university, you will need a competitive portfolio of artwork.
You should be on the UPCH for Architecture course, where you will study an undergraduate-level art and design-related course at the Bartlett School during First Term of the UPC: Visual Studies for Architecture.
This will build on and develop your existing art and design skills and portfolio, as assessed during your UPC application.
You will need to include a portfolio with your UPC application so that we can assess your drawing and art and design skills and support you in your application for your undergraduate degree.
When you apply for the UPC, you will choose the UPCH and submit a supporting portfolio (and optionally a showreel).
If you apply for Art and Technology BA or Media BA at UCL, your application will need to include a portfolio.
Computer Science BSc/MEng, Computer Science and Mathematics MEng and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng are guaranteed offers for UPC students.
UPC students applying to these degrees do not have to take the TARA.
Please note that the Department of Computer Science will make a maximum of six guaranteed conditional offers overall per year across these degrees.
Entry to the UCL Department of Economics is extremely competitive and places great emphasis on Mathematics.
You will only be considered for admission if you are predicted to achieve grade A* in Mathematics and at least grade A in all other UPC subjects.
It is important to keep practising your Mathematics through the summer if you want to apply to this degree.
Alongside the UCAS application, UCL will require all Economics BSc (Econ) and Economics with a Year Abroad BSc (Econ) applicants to sit the TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), run by University Admissions Tests UK.
If you are interested in studying an economics component as part of a multidisciplinary degree, there are several alternative degree programmes available at UCL.
Alongside the UCAS application, UCL will require all European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree BA applicants to sit the TARA (The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions), run by University Admissions Tests UK.
UPC students applying for European Social and Political Studies BA and International Social and Political Studies BA for 2026 entry will not have to take the TARA.
If you want to complete an undergraduate Law degree after the UPC, you will need to take the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT).
Learn more about the support we offer to UPC applicants who want to pursue a Law degree.
Mathematics degrees at UCL, and at some other competitive universities, may require an entry exam.
Conditional offers for UCL Mathematics degrees include the option taking Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP).
You can either satisfy the conditions of your offer with the UPC alone if your grades are high enough, as shown in the undergraduate prospectus, or you may need to take STEP.
We recommend taking STEP in June, at the end of the UPC course, to maximise your chances of progression to a UCL Mathematics degree.
For UCL Mathematics degrees that require STEP exams, UCL’s Department of Mathematics can help you prepare with staged online materials and lectures.
Mechanical Engineering BEng/MEng are guaranteed offers for UPC students, therefore UPC students applying to these degrees do not have to take the TARA.
We do not consider UPCSE applicants interested in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) during the UPCSE year.
If you want to study Medicine, we recommend that you take A-levels. Please see our further guidance.
Queries about this course?
You can get in touch with the team to ask any questions you have.
Our local representatives
We are here to provide you with the support you need for your application.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with one of our local representatives (education agents) in your country/region/area for support.