University College London (UCL) is one of the world's leading multidisciplinary universities, based in Bloomsbury in central London. Founded in 1826 as London's first university institution to admit students regardless of religion, it now teaches across the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, law, social sciences and the built environment. For international students, UCL's appeal is breadth: a student can study almost any subject at a research-led standard, in a university whose hospitals, museums and institutes sit alongside its teaching. This profile covers UCL's programmes, verified 2026-27 fees, admission and funding.
At a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Bloomsbury, central London, England, with additional campuses including UCL East at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park |
| Type | Public research university; member of the University of London |
| Students | More than 50,000 students, including a very large international community |
| Faculties | Arts and Humanities, Built Environment, Brain Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Laws, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences, Social and Historical Sciences, and the School of Management |
| Application route | UCAS for undergraduate study; direct application for most postgraduate study |
Programmes
UCL offers hundreds of undergraduate degrees, from history, philosophy and languages to computer science, engineering, medicine, architecture, economics, law and the natural sciences. Single-subject degrees dominate, with joint degrees and flexible options in some areas. Taught master's degrees are equally broad — one-year full-time programmes in fields from data science and finance to public health, education, urban planning and creative industries — alongside professional qualifications and research degrees (MPhil/PhD). UCL's research strength means undergraduates are often taught by active researchers, and many programmes include a dissertation, laboratory work, fieldwork or a placement, depending on the subject.
Fees for 2026-27: what is verified
For 2026-27, the UK undergraduate fee at UCL is £9,790. Overseas undergraduate fees vary sharply by programme. Examples from the published 2026-27 figures include History BA at £32,000, Sociology, Economics and PPE at £39,200, and Economics and Statistics and Biochemistry at £42,700. Other programmes — particularly laboratory, clinical and studio-based degrees — sit at different points in the overseas range, so the fee for your exact programme must be checked individually; do not budget on another programme's figure.
UCL offers an important protection for international undergraduates: the international cohort fee guarantee. Under this guarantee, the overseas fee is fixed for the normal duration of the programme for students in the same entry cohort, subject to the university's published terms, so your fee does not rise year by year during your degree. Taught master's fees also vary by programme and must be checked individually. 2027-28 fees are to be confirmed — do not carry 2026-27 figures into a later entry year without checking the updated schedule. London living costs sit on top of tuition and are high; compare UCL accommodation with private shared housing early, because central-London rents move quickly.
Admission
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. The general UCAS equal-consideration deadline applies for most programmes, with earlier deadlines for medicine, dentistry and veterinary programmes where applicable, and programme-specific tests or interviews where stated. UCL selects on grades in relevant subjects — A levels, the International Baccalaureate, or equivalent qualifications — together with a personal statement that demonstrates subject interest and preparation. English proficiency must be shown through an approved test at the level the programme requires, unless an exemption applies.
Taught master's applicants apply directly to UCL, normally with a strong undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, references, a personal statement, and English test results where required. Many programmes operate rolling admissions and close when full, so early application is advisable. Research applicants need a proposal and, in most cases, a supervisor who has agreed to support the application. International students should apply for a Student visa as soon as they hold an unconditional offer and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), because visa processing times vary.
Scholarships and funding
UCL offers scholarships for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including awards based on academic excellence and financial need, programme-specific awards, and region-specific schemes. Most require a separate application after an offer, with early deadlines in the application year. This profile does not quote fixed award values, because they change annually — check UCL's scholarships pages for your programme at the time you apply, and apply to external government and foundation scholarships in parallel. Graduate research funding often combines scholarships with studentships and, where available, teaching or research assistant work.
Student life in London
UCL's Bloomsbury campus places students beside the British Museum, the British Library and the University of London's central facilities, with theatres, galleries and employers across central London. UCL East, at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, hosts newer programmes in technology, design, engineering and the creative industries. More than 300 clubs and societies cover sport, culture, politics and academic interests, and London itself supplies internships, part-time work and cultural life on a scale no other UK city matches — at London prices, which students should budget for honestly.
FAQs
What is the UK fee at UCL in 2026-27? £9,790 for undergraduate study.
What are examples of overseas fees? History BA £32,000; Sociology, Economics and PPE £39,200; Economics and Statistics and Biochemistry £42,700 — all 2026-27, programme-specific.
Do overseas fees rise during my degree? Under the international cohort fee guarantee, the fee is fixed for the programme's normal duration for your entry cohort, subject to published terms.
Are 2027-28 fees confirmed? No — 2027-28 fees are to be confirmed on UCL's official fee pages.
How do I apply? UCAS for undergraduate degrees; direct application to UCL for most postgraduate degrees.
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Sources and verification: UCL official 2026-27 fee information: UK undergraduate fee £9,790; overseas examples History BA £32,000, Sociology/Economics/PPE £39,200, Economics & Statistics/Biochemistry £42,700; international cohort fee guarantee (fees fixed for the programme). 2027-28 fees to be confirmed. Verify your programme's exact fee, deadline and English requirements on ucl.ac.uk before applying.