Section 2: Entrance Requirements

Contents

• 2.1 Entrance Requirements
• 2.2 Undergraduate Entrance Requirements
• 2.3 Taught Postgraduate Entrance Requirements
• 2.4 Other Qualifications
• 2.5 Suspension of Regulations
• 2.6 English Language Requirements
• 2.7 Additional requirements for entry to courses of Initial…
• 2.8 University Preparatory Certificate
• 2.9 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Entry to UCL

2.1 Entrance Requirements

2.1.1 General

1. Applicants’ qualifications must satisfy the specific degree programme requirements which are outlined in the programme descriptions given in the Prospectus for the year of application.
2. The requirements for individual programmes are set out in the Prospectus.
3. Applicants will not be admitted below the benchmark level without the advance approval of the Director of Admissions, working with delegated authority from the Recruitment and Admissions Committee, and cases for consideration should be submitted to Admissions in Student and Admissions.

2.1.2 Admissions Tests

1. Competitive programmes may use appropriate selection methods, such as admissions tests, as approved by the Director of Admissions.
2. Where a programme requires a test, test requirements are set out in the Prospectus.

2.2 Undergraduate Entrance Requirements

2.2.1 A Levels

1. UCL’s entry requirement range is A*A*A–ABB.
2. UCL has a benchmark entry level of ABB at GCE A level and does not make offers of admission with any grades lower than B.
3. For further information about the acceptability of A Level subjects see Preferred A Level Subjects.

2.2.2 GCSE and Equivalent Qualifications

1. All UCL programmes require GCSE or equivalent passes in English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or higher.
2. Some programmes require additional GCSE passes in specific subjects or higher grades than 4 / C in English Language and/or Mathematics, as outlined in the programme descriptions given in the Prospectus for the year of application.

2.2.3 Access UCL and Contextual Data

1. The Access UCL scheme is aimed at UK domiciled applicants who are from underrepresented groups and less advantaged backgrounds.
2. To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must meet the criteria set out on the Access UCL webpage.
3. The majority of eligible applicants will be automatically flagged when UCL receives the application from UCAS.
4. If additional documentation is required to verify an applicant’s Access UCL eligibility, UCL will contact the applicant with further information.

Further Guidance

Access UCL is not a guaranteed offer scheme and eligibliity for the scheme provides no indication that an applicant will receive an offer from UCL.

2.3 Taught Postgraduate Entrance Requirements 

2.3.1 Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Taught Masters and Graduate Diplomas/Certs

1. UCL requires a UK Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject, awarded with first or second-class Honours, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard from a university or educational institution of university rank.
2. For some taught programmes, an applicant whose qualifications, although otherwise acceptable, are of lower standard may be admitted if evidence of an adequate academic background and experience in an appropriate field can be shown. In certain instances, applicants may be required to pursue the programme over an extended period of time (including a qualifying year) and/or pass a qualifying essay or examination before being registered for the degree programme.
3. Applicants must meet any entry conditions set by UCL by the start of the academic year in which they expect to begin their studies.
4. Some programmes consider individual professional and work experience for admissions purposes. Please refer to the Prospectus or relevant Department/ Division for details of specific entry requirements.

2.3.2 Research Masters (MRes)

A UK Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject, awarded with first or upper second-class Honours, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard from a university or educational institution of university rank is required.

2.4 Other Qualifications 

1. UCL will consider a wide variety of UK and international qualifications for entry to its taught programmes. The requirements for these qualifications are provided at programme level in the Prospectus.
2. It should be noted that some programmes require specific subject knowledge, and each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.
3. In addition to the required grades, the acceptability of qualifications can be dependent on the type, content and length of the degree programme studied as well as the institution attended.

2.5 Suspension of Regulations 

2.5.1 Admission to Undergraduate Programmes via Special Entrance

1. The term “special entrance” is applied to applicants seeking admission who hold qualifications which do not satisfy UCL’s benchmark entry requirement or programme-specific entry requirements. All students offering non-standard qualifications are expected to demonstrate the same level of academic potential as those offering standard qualifications. To be considered for special entrance, the applicant must possess one of the following types of qualification:
   • an appropriate academic qualification other than a degree from a recognised university or other institution
   • an intermediate or equivalent examination towards the award of a degree by a recognised university, or institution of similar status, plus passes in an appropriate number of subjects at GCSE level or the equivalent
   • a qualification gained by examination which satisfies the entrance requirements for admission to a recognised university outside the UK
   • a qualification gained by examination and which is necessary for admission to membership (Associateship, Corporate Membership or the equivalent) of a recognised professional body or leading to appointment in another field of public service
   • recognised qualifications that fall short of the benchmark requirements but are supplemented by additional recent study over a sustained period of time. Applicants in this category must demonstrate that they have achieved sufficient competence in their chosen field of study to justify admission.
2. Admissions tutors wishing to recommend an applicant for special entrance should provide full details to their Faculty Tutor/Director of Education and Student Experience (DESE). The Faculty Tutor/DESE then decides whether the applicant’s case should be forwarded to the Director of Admissions via Admissions for consideration. The decision of the Director of Admissions  in such matters is final.

2.5.2 Admission to Taught Postgraduate Programmes & Postgraduate Research Programmes via Special Entrance, a Qualifying Essay, Examination or Qualifying Year

1. The term “special entrance” is applied to applicants seeking admission who hold qualifications which do not satisfy UCL’s benchmark or programme-specific entry requirements. Application for a suspension of regulations should be submitted via Admissions. Requests to suspend English Language regulations will not normally be approved.
2. Candidates who do not satisfy UCL’s minimum or programme specific entrance requirements may be admitted subject to the approval of the Director of Admissions and satisfactory completion of a qualifying essay, examination or a qualifying year. Approval should be sought via Admissions. All qualifying essays and examinations are set by the admitting Department. Wherever possible the assessment of a qualifying essay or examination should include external moderation. In accordance with UCL regulations, a qualifying essay or examination need not necessarily be restricted to a formal written examination. The structure of a qualifying year is determined by the admitting Department having regard to the candidate’s academic background and subject to the approval of the Director of Admissions. All qualifying examinations/years must be completed and assessed prior to a candidate embarking upon the relevant Master’s or research programme. Candidates will not normally be permitted to retake a qualifying essay, examination or qualifying year.
3. Alternatively, students offering non-standard qualifications are expected to demonstrate the same level of academic potential as those offering standard qualifications. To be considered for special entrance, the applicant must present evidence of one of the following:
   • a third-class honours degree (or international equivalent) would be required to hold at least one year of relevant full-time work experience for a suspension of regulation request to be considered.
   • PGR applicants holding a lower second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) would be required to hold at least one year of relevant full-time work experience for a suspension of regulation request to be considered.
   • a recognised degree with below a third-class honours (or international equivalent) would be required to hold at least three years of relevant full-time work experience for a suspension of regulation request to be considered.
   • an awarded qualification equivalent to a UK bachelors honours degree by a university, or institution of similar status, recognised by ENIC, but not currently accepted by UCL for entry.
   • qualification gained by examination and which is necessary for admission to membership (Associateship, Corporate Membership or the equivalent) of a recognised professional body or leading to appointment in a field of public service, and at least one year of relevant work experience within the relevant field.
   • an applicant does not hold a formal qualification but has at least five years of relevant work experience. 

2.6 English Language Requirements 

2.6.1 General

1. All students seeking admission to UCL (including EU and Overseas), who are not a national of a United Kingdom Home Office “majority English speaking” country, are required to provide recent evidence that their command of spoken and written English is adequate for the programme of study for which they have applied.
2. UCL specifies the need for its undergraduate and graduate students to have adequate English to ensure that their academic progress is not hindered by language difficulties and that students can integrate socially whilst studying at UCL and living in this country.
3. UCL’s English language proficiency policy has been approved by the relevant committees of UCL’s Academic Committee. This policy places responsibility on faculty and departmental admissions tutors in deciding, to at least UCL’s minimum standard level requirement, the level of English language proficiency that their students must meet.
4. UCL considers all applicants who meet its English language requirements to meet or exceed the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 level in reading, writing, speaking and listening. UCL makes use of the CEFR to benchmark its English language requirements framework.
5. EU exchange students and EU students entering UCL on a partnership agreement can satisfy UCL’s English language requirements by meeting CEFR B2 level, subject to departmental approval.

2.6.2 Programme Specific English Language Requirements

1. All applicants are advised to check any programme specific English Language requirements by consulting the Prospectus.
2. Applicants should be aware that UCL reserves the right to ask for higher English Language requirements in individual cases.

2.6.3 Evidence of meeting UCL English language requirements

1. A national of one of the following countries, which the UK Home Office lists as ‘majority English speaking’:

   Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom or United States of America.

2. Completed a minimum of twelve months academic education leading to an awarded qualification, no more than two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment (or the summer two years prior to enrolment if starting in September), in one of the following countries: 
   
   Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon (only if the qualification is taught in English), Canada, Caribbean / West Indies (English-speaking Caribbean Commonwealth territories), Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada , Guyana, Ireland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Malta (only if the qualification is taught in English), Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, The Netherlands (where the degree is taught entirely in English), Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.

   English language courses and study preparation courses such as pre-Masters are not acceptable.  All qualifications must have been studied in the country of the awarding institution.

3. Taken English language as part of one of the following school leaving qualifications, no more than the summer two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment:

4. Taken one of the following tests no more than two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment:

2.7 Additional requirements for entry to courses of Initial Teacher Education 

2.7.1 General

1. Applicants undertaking any course of initial teacher education must meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach. This will be assessed by an (or UCL’s) Occupational Health Provider through completion of a health questionnaire and, if necessary, a face-to-face assessment. Applicants are responsible for bearing the cost of this assessment.
2. Applicants who accept an offer of a place on an initial teacher education course must be in possession of satisfactory clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service prior to the start of the programme, and must also comply with any additional safeguarding requirements in operation at the time of the programme.
3. Applicants to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes that lead to the award of a professional teaching qualification must not already hold that qualification. An applicant who already holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is ineligible to apply for any ITE course that leads to QTS. 

2.8 University Preparatory Certificate 

2.8.1 University Preparatory Certificate for Science & Engineering and University Preparatory Certificate for Humanities

1. International applicants whose secondary education qualifications are not suitable for direct admission to leading UK universities may apply for a one-year programme for Science and Engineering or Humanities offered by UCL.
2. Successful completion of the one-year programme may be used to apply for an undergraduate programme of study at UCL or other university.
3. Entrance requirements by country can be obtained from the Centre for Languages and International Education (CLIE).
4. All applicants are required to take an entrance test and further information can be obtained from the (CLIE).

2.9 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Entry to UCL 

Please note that there are separate regulations and an initial assessment template for Degree Apprenticeship programmes – see Chapter 11, Section 6.1: Apprentice Support and Success/ Initial Assessment.

2.9.1 Definitions

1. The following regulations define the types and quantities of prior learning that may be considered for entry to a UCL Programme.
2. Applicants wishing to apply for RPL should complete the: 

and contact Admissions in Student and Registry Services.

1. The Recognition of Prior Learning encompasses the following terms:

   Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

   RPL is the overarching term for a process which allows students to apply for exemption from particular entry requirements, or from some parts of a Programme of Study, by recognition of their learning from previous experiences and achievements.

   Accredited Prior Learning (APL)

   A sub-set of RPL. APL is prior learning that has been formally assessed and certificated by a recognised institution.

   Experiential Prior Learning (EPL)

   A sub-set of RPL. EPL is the non-certified acquisition of relevant skills and knowledge, gained through relevant experience, which is capable of being evaluated.

2. There are three main ways in which RPL can be applied:

   Initial Entry

   For initial entry to a UCL Programme, where a student does not hold the precise entry requirements specified by UCL.

   Advanced Entry

   For advanced entry to a UCL Programme, where a student has already completed certified learning of a standard judged to be equitable with the UCL Programme to which the student is applying.

   Internal Transfers

   It may also be necessary to use RPL for transfers within UCL, where a student wishes to transfer to another Programme that has a significantly different structure.

2.9.2 Core Principles

1. The acceptance of RPL is at the discretion of the admissions programme tutor and the Director of Admissions in the first instance.
2. Applicants are responsible for demonstrating to UCL that the prior learning evidences the required skills and knowledge, and that the learning is still current. UCL must be satisfied that, by successfully completing the remaining part of the Programme, the applicant will have had the opportunity to fulfil the Programme objectives and attain the standards required for the Qualification.
3. If agreed, RPL becomes part of the agreement between UCL and the student.
4. Modules for which RPL is granted and any variation in the student’s Programme of Study should be clearly defined when the offer of admission is made.
5. RPL should neither advantage nor disadvantage a student over other students on a Programme.
6. RPL cannot be used as an Extenuating Circumstance for underachievement in subsequent assessments.

2.9.3 Initial Entry

1. RPL may be considered for initial entry to a UCL taught or research Programme where a student does not meet the standard entry requirements as defined in Section 2: Entrance Requirements and Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework e.g. a student holds an international Qualification that could be judged equivalent to the standard entry requirements, or a student has significant, evidenced industry experience that could be judged equivalent to the standard entry requirements
2. RPL for initial entry may be ‘certified’ (APL) or ‘experiential’ (EPL).
3. Applications for RPL for initial entry may be considered, at the discretion of UCL, where:
   1. UCL is satisfied that the student is at least as well qualified as candidates who are able to satisfy the standard entrance requirements, and
   2. UCL is satisfied that the candidate’s general education, scholarship, training and experience are suitable for the Programme which they wish to follow, and
   3. The applicant is able to provide (accredited or experiential) evidence of their background and experience that satisfies UCL as to their fitness to follow the Programme, and
   4. The applicant satisfies UCL’s English Language proficiency requirements.
4. Where UCL deems it necessary, an applicant may also be required to pass a qualifying examination or to meet other appropriate qualifying conditions prescribed by the UCL department. 

2.9.4 Accredited Prior Learning for Advanced Entry to Taught Programmes

1. Accredited Prior Learning (APL) may be considered for advanced entry to a UCL taught Programme or Research Masters where a student has already completed accredited learning of a standard judged equitable with the UCL Programme concerned e.g. a student who has completed the first year of a cognate Honours degree at another HEI and wishes to transfer to a UCL Honours degree, or a student who has completed a PG Cert and wishes to enrol on a UCL Masters.
2. Applications for APL for advanced entry may be considered, at the discretion of UCL, where:
   1. There is space for additional students on the UCL Programme concerned, and
   2. UCL is satisfied that the student is at least as well qualified as students who were able to satisfy the standard entrance requirements at initial entry, and
   3. UCL is satisfied that the learning can adequately replace the UCL Modules concerned, and
   4. The applicant is able to provide certified evidence of their background and experience that satisfies UCL as to their fitness to follow the Programme, and
   5. The applicant satisfies UCL’s English Language proficiency requirements, and
   6. The credit has been earned at and certified by a recognised degree-awarding body whose academic standards are judged by UCL to be at least consistent with those set out in the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (FHEQ), and
   7. The credit has been earned at the appropriate academic Level and in an appropriate Field of Study, and
   8. The learning has been completed within the last five years, and
   9. The student has achieved the full pass mark for all Modules concerned and credit has not been achieved via a condoned (compensated) pass.
3. The following table specifies the maximum number of APL credits for which a student may apply for each group of UCL Qualifications:

4. Applicants who have already completed a Qualification may only use those credits to apply for advanced entry to a UCL Programme where the original Qualification is surrendered, unless the previous Qualification is a constituent part of a student’s professional accreditation (e.g. Qualified Teacher Status).
5. Where the surrender of the previous Qualification would result in forfeiture of professional accreditation students may be permitted to retain their previous Qualification in addition to their UCL Qualification, at the discretion of UCL. The UCL transcript must clearly demonstrate which credits have been awarded directly by UCL.
6. Credits for Modules awarded through APL are included in the total number of credits for the Qualification.
7. Credits awarded via APL from any institution other than UCL will be excluded from the calculation of the classification. Credits accrued at UCL and awarded via APL will be included in the calculation of the classification.
8. Where a student has left UCL with an interim qualification and asks to re-join the same programme at a later date, this is not APL, it is re-opening a closed record. Please see Chapter 3, Section 1.7 Closing and Re-Opening Records for further details.

2.9.5 Experiential Prior Learning for Advanced Entry to Taught Programmes

1. Experiential Prior Learning (EPL) may be considered for advanced entry to a UCL taught Programme or Research Masters, at the discretion of UCL, where:
   1. There is space for additional students on the UCL Programme concerned, and
   2. UCL is satisfied that the student is at least as well qualified as students who were able to satisfy the standard entrance requirements at initial entry, and
   3. UCL is satisfied that the learning can adequately replace the UCL Modules concerned, and
   4. The applicant is able to provide evidence of their background and experience that satisfies UCL as to their fitness to follow the Programme, and
   5. The applicant satisfies UCL’s English Language proficiency requirements, and
   6. The learning is at an appropriate Level and in an appropriate discipline, and
   7. The learning has been completed within the last five years.
2. The following table specifies the maximum number of EPL credits for which a student can apply for each group of UCL Qualifications:

3. Where UCL deems it necessary, an applicant for EPL may be required to pass a qualifying examination or to meet other appropriate qualifying conditions prescribed by the UCL department.
4. Credits for Modules awarded through EPL are included in the total number of credits for the Qualification (and, where applicable, are treated as ‘complete’) but are not graded nor included in the classification calculation.

2.9.6 Advanced Entry to Research Programmes

1. Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) may be considered for advanced entry to a UCL research Programme where a student has already completed learning of a standard judged equitable with the UCL Programme concerned e.g. a student has commenced a PhD at another Higher Education Institution and wishes to transfer to a UCL PhD.
2. RPL is not permitted for advanced entry to Completing Research Status (CRS).
3. Applications for RPL for advanced entry to research Programmes may be considered, at the discretion of UCL, where:
   1. A UCL supervisor is available in the appropriate Field of Study, and
   2. The learning is formally recognised by a Higher Education Institution whose academic standards are judged by UCL to be at least consistent with those set out in the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (FHEQ), and
   3. The learning is at the appropriate academic Level and in an appropriate field, and
   4. The learning can adequately replace the learning from the UCL Programme concerned, and
   5. The learning has been completed within the last five years, and
   6. The student has received research supervision for a minimum of one year.
4. UCL will determine the appropriate point of entry to the Programme, taking the following into consideration:
   1. The number of months of study completed on the previous Programme, and
   2. Whether or not the student has successfully upgraded to PhD, and
   3. Any other evidence of progress such as a research log.
5. Once RPL is agreed, the supervisor and student must agree an upgrade and examination timetable.