Providing access for all

UCL is working to ensure it maintains the principals upon which it was founded in 1826 by ensuring it is accessible to all students regardless of their socio-economic background.

UCL was founded on the principle that everyone should be able to benefit from a university education, regardless of their religious or social background. UCL remains committed to widening access to higher education. 

Access UCL is a scheme to recruit academically bright students from groups that are currently underrepresented at UCL.  

Students who complete the scheme receive a reduced offer of up to two grades below the standard UCL offer of their programme.  

““The scheme is targeted at state school students who attend an academically low-performing school.” 

“It is targeted at state school students who attend an academically low-performing school, or who live in an area of financial, social or economic deprivation or which has a low progression rate to higher education,” explains Lucie March, UCL’s Head of Access and Widening Participation. 

Since the scheme was established in 2019, Access UCL has enabled over 400 students to study at UCL who may not have otherwise been able to do so.  

Students who receive a reduced offer have to complete an online ‘Preparation for Academic Study’ module and achieve the required exam grades.  

To support them during their studies at UCL, qualifying students receive an accommodation bursary.  Students may also qualify for the UCL Undergraduate bursary.