Applying for Graduate Taught Study at UCL
We know applying for courses can be daunting, so we’ve made this guide to help you through.
If you’re applying for Graduate Research Study, see our separate guide.
Please note - you can only apply to a maximum of two taught graduate courses in any academic cycle.
Before applying
Selecting your course
Each prospectus page has information about a course’s content, entry requirements and application deadlines.
Find more specific information about a course’s content from that academic department’s website.
Not sure which course to apply to or about life at UCL?
Join one of our recruitment events
Check the academic and English language entry requirements
You need to check you meet the minimum academic and English language entry requirements for the course.
Entry requirements are clearly listed on each course’s prospectus page.
Funding your studies
Carefully consider how you will fund your studies. This includes tuition fees and the day-to-day costs of being a student, and not forgetting that most courses require a tuition fee deposit.
How much it costs to study at UCL
See our scholarship and funding pages to check if you are eligible for UCL funding. This is a separate application and different deadlines apply.
Check if you need a visa to study
If you are an international student, you might need a visa to study at UCL. Please check our immigration and visas pages for more information about applying for a visa to study.
Transferring to UCL
For graduate taught courses at UCL, you may be able to transfer to a course from another institution.
For example, if a student has already completed accredited learning of a standard judged to be the same as the UCL course. But, this is at the discretion of the relevant department. Departments consider this on a case-by-case basis.
You can read more information about the recognition of prior learning for transfer students in the UCL Academic Manual.
Contact Graduate Admissions about transferring into a specific graduate taught course at UCL.
Preparing to apply
Check if your application requires references
The number of references needed to support your application can be found on the prospectus page for your course.
Make sure you read about selecting your references to understand who to choose.
Please note - you should contact your nominated referee(s) before starting your application to check they can provide a reference for you.
Finding out if you need to pay an application fee
Most graduate courses require you to pay a non-refundable application fee. You will be asked to pay the application fee when you submit your application.
Deciding when to apply
Not all courses have the same application deadline. You must however submit (and if applicable, pay your application fee) before 5pm (UK time) on the day of the application deadline. In most cases there is a different deadline depending on whether you will require a visa to study in the UK or not. Please check this carefully and do not apply after the stated deadline if you do require a visa. If you do apply after the deadline relevant to you, your application will not be considered.
See your course’s prospectus page for deadline information.
Please note - We recommend that you apply as soon as possible. Admissions take place throughout the year and courses can close earlier than advertised.
Getting your supporting documents ready
As part of your application, you must provide the following supporting documents:
- Your official transcript. Please read our guide on getting your academic transcript. This explains exactly what UCL can and cannot accept. Sending documents that cannot be accepted will delay your application being processed.
- A personal statement. Our personal statement guidance offers advice on writing an effective personal statement.
- If you need a visa to study at UCL you will need to provide a copy of your current passport. If you do not have a valid passport, you can complete our Missing passport document and provide your passport later.
- Some courses require you to provide additional documents as part of your application. Full details can be found on our additional course requirements page.
- If you meet our English language requirements (using a UCL-recognised test), you should upload your official test report form or qualification. If you cannot provide this evidence when you submit your application, your application will still be considered.
Important - Do not password-protect or encrypt files. Admissions selectors will not be able to access them and this will delay your application being processed.
Submitting your application
Applications should be submitted online.
Before you submit your application, please carefully check the information you have provided or uploaded. Once you have submitted your application, you can only update your name, contact details, referees’ details (if applicable) and passport details (if you require a visa).
Please note - you cannot replace or add additional documents once you have submitted your application.
You should make sure:
- You have selected the correct course of study.
- Your names are entered exactly as they appear in your passport.
- You have entered the correct details of your academic qualifications. These should match the information on your transcript.
- You have uploaded the correct version of each of your supporting documents and your official transcripts clearly show:
- your name
- your institution
- a list of your modules and any grades you have received.
- You have provided accurate details of any work experience or previous employment you would like UCL to be aware of, either in the employment section or as part of your uploaded CV.
- You have uploaded any compulsory supporting documents required for your course to proceed.
- If applicable, you have entered your referee details correctly and have provided institutional or professional email addresses.
If you are unable to apply online due to accessibility reasons, please contact Graduate Admissions.
We advise that you add donotreplyadmissions@ucl.ac.uk to your list of approved contacts so that you receive any correspondence sent by the Graduate Admissions Office.
