University College London (UCL) Admissions 2026: Acceptance Rate, Requirements & Deadlines

University College London (UCL) Admissions 2026: Acceptance Rate, Requirements & Deadlines

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Shahid Mustaq Murshed

Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated on - Jan 13, 2026

UCL’s main intake for international students is in September, with UCAS required for undergraduate applications and direct submission for postgraduate and MBA courses. Undergraduate applicants (except medicine) receive equal consideration until 14 January 2026 and can apply until 30 June 2026. Postgraduate deadlines vary between March and June, and UCL’s MBA programs run multiple rounds from February to August 2026, depending on the course.

UCL continues to admit only highly qualified applicants, prioritizing strong academics and English proficiency. Postgraduate students need a bachelor’s degree with 60% or above and IELTS scores of 6.5-7.0, with some programs requiring technical skills or relevant experience. Undergraduate applicants must meet strict Class 12 scores from approved boards and may need to take additional admissions tests such as LNAT or the new TARA test. MBA applicants are expected to demonstrate prior work experience and, in certain cases, competitive GMAT or GRE scores.

UCL is one of the reputed universities within the Russell Group, with a competitive acceptance rate of around 23%. Besides being competitive, UCL is one of the most international universities, with nearly 50% of its students coming from 150 countries. Currently, 1000+ students from India attend UCL.

Browse through the courses offered by UCL now.


UCL Application Deadlines 2026

The September intake is the main entry point for international students at UCL. Undergraduate applicants are required to apply via UCAS, and postgraduate applicants need to apply directly to the university.

UCL application deadlines for September 2026 are as follows:

Level Application Deadline
Postgraduate *Vary from March to June
MBA **February to August
Undergraduate (Medicine) Closed on 15 October 2025
Undergraduate (except Medicine) - Equal consideration: 14 January 2026
- Final: 30 June 2026

Notes:

*Postgraduate programs at UCL have varying deadlines between March and June for the September intake. Course-specific application deadlines are given in the respective section below.

** UCL offers 3 types of MBA programs with varying deadlines. Refer to the MBA section below for exact deadlines.

ucl_admissions


UCL International Admissions 2026

Admission to UCL is highly competitive. Applicants are required to have excellent academic scores and a strong SOP to stand out among the applicant pool.

UCL Postgraduate Admissions

Indian students applying to PG courses at UCL must have a 3- to 5-year bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks from a recognized Indian university. Entry requirements and application deadlines for a few popular MSc courses at UCL are given below.

Courses Annual Fees (GBP/ INR) Entry Requirements Additional Skills Deadline for Sept 2026
Master of Architecture £35,400/ 42.93 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in Architecture with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 1 year of related work experience 27 February 2026
MSc Data Science £46,700/ 56.63 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree with 60% marks + IELTS 6.5 Knowledge of mathematical methods, linear algebra, introductory probability, statistics, and computer programming 27 March 2026
MSc Computer Science £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 Standard computational thinking skills 27 March 2026
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 Relevant work experience is considered 27 March 2026
MSc Business Analytics £46,700/ 56.63 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 None 26 June 2026
MSc Finance £48,250/ 58.51 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 Optional GRE quant 162+ or 80th percentile in GMAT/ GMAT focus strengthens the application 26 June 2026
MSc Development Psychology and Clinical Practice £39,200/ 47.53 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 Relevant experience working with children or adolescents 3 February 2026
MSc Economics £39,200/ 47.53 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in Economics with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 Must have a GRE quant score of 162 or above 8 May 2026
MSc Information Security £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 Relevant work experience is considered 27 March 2026
MSc Data Science & Machine Learning £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 Must know mathematical methods, including linear algebra, calculus, probability, and statistics 27 March 2026
MSc Management £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in any subject with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 None 26 June 2026
MSc Clinical & Public Health Nutrition £39,200/ 47.53 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 60% marks + IELTS 6.5 None 26 June 2026

UCL Master’s Application Fees

An application fee of £35-£160 is required while applying for different master’s courses at UCL. Students can apply to their chosen master’s course from the ‘Apply for this course’ button. 

  • £35 (4,240 INR) for Arts courses
  • £60 (7,270 INR) for the majority of the master’s courses
  • £160 (19,387 INR) for Business and Management courses

Know more: UCL Application Fees


UCL Undergraduate Admissions

For undergraduate admissions, UCL only accepts the Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE or CBSE, as well as the Higher Secondary Certificate from state boards in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Qualifications from other boards are not accepted.

Course Annual Fees (GBP/ INR) Entry Requirements Additional Requirement
LLB £35,400/ 42.39 lakhs INR Class 12 certificate with five subjects at 95, 95, 95, 90, 90 + IELTS 7.5 Must take the LNAT test before applying
BEng Mechanical Engineering £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Class 12 certificate with five subjects at 95, 95, 95, 90, 90 + IELTS 6.5 None
BSc Computer Science £46,700/ 56.63 lakhs INR Class 12 certificate with five subjects at 95, 95, 95, 90, 90 + IELTS 6.5 Must take the *TARA test
BSc Data Science £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Class 12 certificate with five subjects at 95, 95, 95, 90, 90 + IELTS 7.0 None
BEng Biomedical Engineering £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Class 12 certificate with five subjects each at 90 + IELTS 6.5 None
BSc Statistics, Economics & Finance £42,700/ 51.78 lakhs INR Class 12 certificate with five subjects at 95, 95, 95, 90, 90 + IELTS 7.0 None

*What is a TARA test?

For 2026 entry, some UCL applicants must take the new TARA test, run by University Admissions Tests UK. This non-subject exam assesses academic reasoning and costs £130 (₹15,750) to register. TARA is taken online at a Pearson VUE test center, not at home.


UCL MBA Admissions 2026

UCL offers three MBA programs with full-time, part-time, and hybrid options. The requirements and deadlines for the MBA programs offered by UCL are outlined in the following table.

Course Annual Fees Entry Requirements Additional Requirements Application Deadline
Major Infrastructure Delivery MBA £25,300/ 30.68 lakhs INR Honors bachelor’s degree with 55% marks + IELTS 7.0 At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in project management 28 August 2026
MBA with Peking University 418,000 RMB (Chinese Yuan)/ 53.83 lakhs INR to be paid to Peking University Bachelor’s degree with 55% marks + IELTS 6.5 - 3 years of work experience
- GMAT score of 600 or equivalent GRE. OR
- Other standardized test approved by UCL and Peking University
13 June 2026
Flex MBA £42,500/ 51.54 lakhs INR Bachelor’s degree with 60% marks + IELTS 7.0 3 years of full-time work experience - Round 1: 23 February 2026
- Round 2: 25 May 2026
- Round 3: 24 August 2026

Know more: MBA Acceptance Rate in UK

How to write an effective SOP for UCL? An Indian perspective.


UCL Acceptance Rate

As per the official statistics published by UCL, a total of 89,239 candidates applied for undergraduate programs last year. Out of which, UCL offered admission to 38,696 applicants. It denotes that UCL’s offer rate is around 43%; however, the actual acceptance rate is around 23.61%. As per unofficial data available, UCL London’s graduate acceptance rate is around 38%.

Why are students rejecting admission offers from UCL?

Student reviews on Reddit and YouTube imply that the high cost of living in London is one of the main reasons behind this rejection. UCL’s central London location adds up to a high cost of living of around £16,447 and £22,427 (19.94 lakhs to 27.19 lakhs INR) per year. Therefore, students are accepting offers from other reputable universities where the cost of living is significantly lower.

Academic Year Applications Offer Rate Acceptance Rate
2025-26 (latest) 89,239 43% 23.61%
2024-25 87,006 35.2% 9.9%
2023-24 79,082 24.88% 8.85%

Explore: Global, National & Subject-wise Rankings of UCL


UCL Admissions Decision

For postgraduate programs:

After you submit your application, UCL checks if it is complete (fee paid, references received, transcript uploaded). Completed applications move to an admissions selector, who reviews them fully. Some applicants may be invited to interviews/tests or asked for extra work (e.g., portfolios); research applicants may be reviewed by a panel. Most decisions take around 10 weeks, though timing varies by course volume, time of year, and whether extra steps are involved.

For undergraduate programs:

Once you apply, UCL provides you with access to its applicant portal, Portico, where you can track your application, respond to requests, upload documents, and see decisions. You will receive login details within 48 hours of submitting your UCAS application. When UCL reaches a decision, they will notify you by email and update Portico/UCAS Track.

If you receive an offer, deadlines to accept depend on when your final decision arrives:

  • Last decision by 13 May 2026 → reply by 3 June 2026
  • Last decision by 15 July 2026 → reply by 22 July 2026

With an undergraduate offer rate of 43% and a final acceptance rate of just 23.61%, UCL’s 2026 entry cycle remains fiercely competitive across all levels. As rising London living expenses continue to drive deferrals, applicants need strong profiles, early submissions, and financial planning to convert offers from one of the UK’s most sought-after universities.


FAQs

Ques: What are the primary academic requirements and deadlines for international students applying to UCL?

Ans: International students must meet strong academic thresholds to apply.

  • For postgraduate applicants, UCL requires a 3 to 5-year bachelor’s degree with at least 60% from a recognized university. Many courses require IELTS 6.5–7.0, and some ask for GRE/GMAT, portfolios, or work experience.
  • For undergraduate applicants, UCL accepts Class 12 certificates only from CBSE, CISCE, and select state boards (Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal), with top courses demanding 90 to 95% marks and additional tests like TARA or LNAT.

Deadlines vary by level:

  • Postgraduate: course-specific deadlines between March–June 2026
  • MBA: rounds/closing dates between February–August 2026
  • Undergraduate (non-Medicine): 14 January 2026 (equal consideration), final 30 June 2026
  • Undergraduate Medicine: closed 15 October 2025

Ques: How does UCL’s competitive acceptance rate influence the admissions process for different degree levels?

Ans: UCL’s selectivity shapes the entire application process. With 89,239 UG applicants, an offer rate of 43%, and a final acceptance rate of just 23.61%, competition is intense, especially for high-demand subjects.

Undergraduate applicants are screened closely through UCAS, with some required to sit extra tests (TARA, LNAT).

Graduate programs are equally rigorous, with unofficial figures indicating a ~38% acceptance rate. Many postgraduate courses evaluate work history, test scores, or specialist skills and may invite applicants for interviews or further assessments before making offers.

Ques: What financial factors and living costs significantly impact a student's decision to attend UCL?

Ans: Beyond tuition fees, many students cite London’s high cost of living as a deciding factor.

Costs average £16,447–£22,427 per year (₹19.94–27.19 lakhs), covering accommodation, food, transport, and student expenses. This steep expense has led some students to reject UCL offers despite admission success, opting for universities in more affordable cities.

University College London Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesApplication FeesEligibilityFinancial Aid
MBA
16 months
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (27th Mar 2026)
USD 57,375 /Yr
GBP 42,500 /Yr
90GPA: 2.7, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 75
MArch
2 years
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (27th Feb 2026)
USD 47,790 /Yr
GBP 35,400 /Yr
90GPA: 3.0, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 7.0, PTE: 76
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (27th Mar 2026)
USD 57,645 /Yr
GBP 42,700 /Yr
90GPA: 3.0, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 7.0, PTE: 76
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (27th Mar 2026)
USD 57,645 /Yr
GBP 42,700 /Yr
90CGPA- 7.5/10, IELTS- 7, TOEFL- 4.5, PTE- 76
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (27th Mar 2026)
USD 63,045 /Yr
GBP 46,700 /Yr
90GPA: 3.0, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 75
LLB
3 years
UCAS Application Deadline For Equal Consideration 2026 Intake (14th Jan 2026)
USD 47,790 /Yr
GBP 35,400 /Yr
29TOEFL: 5.5, IELTS: 7.5, PTE: 80
-
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (26th Jun 2026)
USD 63,045 /Yr
GBP 46,700 /Yr
90GPA: 3.0, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 7.0, PTE: 76
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (26th Jun 2026)
USD 65,138 /Yr
GBP 48,250 /Yr
90CGPA- 7.5/10, IELTS- 7, TOEFL- 4.5, PTE- 76
UCAS Application Deadline For Equal Consideration 2026 Intake (14th Jan 2026)
USD 63,045 /Yr
GBP 46,700 /Yr
29TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 75
-
UCAS Application Deadline For Equal Consideration 2026 Intake (14th Jan 2026)
USD 57,645 /Yr
GBP 42,700 /Yr
29TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 75
-

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13 Reviews Found

A
8.3 /10
academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 6/10
extracurricular: 8/10

Scholarship

  • I received a scholarship of £5000. Some of my friends received scholarships of £13300. It depends upon your undergraduate score. If percentage are between 55-60 it is £3000, between 60-70% it is £5000 and above 70% - it is £8300.
  • If the percentage is more than 75%, then it's £13300. Many students of my batch got scholarships; around 15-20 Indian students got them.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 6/10
extracurricular: 10/10

TD
9.0 /10

Scholarship

  • I received an external scholarship: the Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship. The eligibility criteria are being an Indian citizen applying for a full-time postgraduate course or PhD abroad, having a good academic record in their previous degree and certificates for extracurricular and co-curricular activities, already having an offer of admission from the respective university abroad and having two referrals.
  • 10 lakh rupees (INR)
  • I am not aware of that.
  • Approximately 80 Indian students receive this scholarship and the typical award amount ranges from 4 lakh to 10 lakh based on academic merit through the screening processes.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 6/10
extracurricular: 10/10

SS
10.0 /10

Scholarship

  • I did not receive any scholarships, and I’m not aware about the scholarships because I was accepted late and all the scholarship deadlines passed.
  • But there are options of scholarship on the portal, some provided by UCL and some by external sources, such as the Common Wealth Scholarship, which is very famous and tough to get.

+5 more
academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 10/10
extracurricular: 10/10

HB
4.7 /10

Scholarship

  • Yes, there are many scholarships from UCL as well as in general to study in UK. You just have to look from the very beginning for the scholarship. Some scholarships have deadlines before the year of the start of the course. So Start searching for scholarships from a year before you want to take admission.
  • UCL itself has scholarships especially for Indian students. I don't know the exact number of students who get the scholarship. But there are 4-5 students who received it in my course itself.
     

academic: 5/10
faculty: 5/10
infrastructure: 5/10
accomodation: 4/10
placement: 4/10
extracurricular: 5/10

Overview

Its very good university and its 8th in ranking all other the world. It was a honour for me to make in such a University also I had my brother studying in the same university so things in that University turned out to be pretty convenient for me.

Scholarship

NA

academic: 9/10
faculty: 6/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10

Overview

The factors that drove me to accept the offer were: World ranking, campus and location, well-rounded course structure related to all branches of Psychology, focus on scientific aspect of Psychology. What I liked most about University was the social aspect in terms of clubs and societies, and the focus on providing a well rounded Psychology background and the practical work we did. These factors also led me to choosing this particular program.

Scholarship

No

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 7/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 2/10

Overview

I choose this university because it was the best i could get and also because its located in central London.

Scholarship

NA

academic: 7/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 8/10

Overview

UCL is a brand and successfully securing a place in this university was a dream come true for me. I have my elder brother who graduated from this university and is doing well in his life.

Scholarship

NA

academic: 9/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 8/10

A
7.5 /10

Overview

The rankings are extremely good.

Scholarship

No

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10

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