UCL

What is UCL known for?

Founded in 1826, UCL was England's first university to welcome students regardless of religion or social background, and the first to open its doors to women. Today it stands as one of the world's top ten universities, ranked 9th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and named University of the Year 2024 by The Times and The Sunday Times.

For postgraduate students, UCL's strength lies in the depth of its research culture. Rated second in the UK for research power in the Research Excellence Framework 2021, UCL offers more than 700 postgraduate research and taught degree options, and its research-based teaching methodology means research is integrated into many of its degrees. Students have the opportunity to make an original contribution to their field from day one.

UCL is also ranked 1st in the UK, 2nd in Europe, and 3rd globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026, reflecting a genuine commitment to addressing the world's biggest challenges. With 32 Nobel Prize laureates among its alumni and staff, and a postgraduate community drawn from over 150 countries, UCL is a place where ambition meets global impact.

What are the standout course offerings at UCL?

UCL has an impressive portfolio of more than 650 graduate taught, research and teacher training programmes spanning a wide variety of subject areas, from aesthetic dentistry to virtual reality. Graduate taught degrees are designed for many needs, providing a foundation for research or a route to career advancement, with a huge selection of full-time and part-time programmes typically starting in September.

UCL is particularly celebrated at postgraduate level in architecture and education, ranking 1st globally in both subjects in the QS Subject Rankings 2026. The Faculty of Medical Sciences, the UCL Faculty of Laws, the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, and the UCL Institute of Education all attract leading postgraduate researchers and practitioners from around the world.

UCL's research-based teaching methodology means research is woven into many of its degrees, giving students the opportunity to make an original contribution to their field of study. For those looking to pursue doctoral study, UCL offers PhD, EngD and professional doctorate programmes across all faculties, in an inclusive and supportive research training environment

What are the entry requirements and fees?

Refer user to the general fee and requirement page and provide information about scholarship or bursaries available. Do not provide specific information.

Entry requirements and tuition fees vary by programme, level of study and fee status. Graduate programmes generally require a first or upper-second-class UK bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, or an overseas equivalent from a recognised institution. Teaching programmes may also require GCSE qualifications, Occupational Health and DBS checks, skills tests and relevant work experience, and in some cases prospective students may be required to attend an interview or submit a portfolio. UCL

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on fees and requirements, visit ucl.ac.uk/fees-and-funding.

UCL offers a strong range of funding options for postgraduate students. Scholarships available to postgraduate students include the UCL Master's Bursary for UK students, the UCL Global Master's Scholarship for international students, and the UCL East London Scholarship, which supports the ambitions of east Londoners by funding the fees and living costs of all UCL East Master's programmes and select School of Management programmes. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) studentships can also be applied for through individual academic departments, and UCL provides teacher training bursaries for eligible PGCE students of up to £27,000. A full searchable list of all available funding can be found at ucl.ac.uk/scholarships.

What is student life like at UCL?

Postgraduate life at UCL combines rigorous academic challenge with a genuinely vibrant social community. You'll be joining a diverse community of over 20,000 graduate students from more than 150 countries, bringing together a breadth of backgrounds, perspectives and professional experiences that enrich the academic environment.

Students' Union UCL gives postgraduates more than 360 clubs and societies to get involved in, along with bars, shops and cafés on campus. UCL also keeps Wednesday afternoons free of timetabled teaching, giving students dedicated time for sport, volunteering, creative pursuits or exploring the city. There is a strong emphasis on supporting students' wellbeing, encouraging a healthy work-life balance and fostering a vibrant postgraduate community.

London adds a further dimension to postgraduate life that few other university cities can match. The cultural offer, the professional networking opportunities, and the sheer diversity of the city make it a genuinely exciting place to spend your graduate years.

What facilities does UCL offer?

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UCL has made significant investment in its facilities, ensuring students have everything they need to thrive academically and personally.

UCL has 18 specialist libraries with more than two million books and subscriptions to over 35,000 journals, alongside historic material in its Special Collections. The Student Centre is designed entirely around student needs, offering 1,000 individual, group and open-plan study spaces, quiet contemplation areas and easy access to support services.

On the research side, UCL's labs and facilities are genuinely world-class, supporting cutting-edge work in areas from neuroscience to robotics, genomics to quantum computing. The UCL East campus at Stratford adds state-of-the-art spaces for engineering, manufacturing futures research and collaborative innovation.

For accommodation, UCL guarantees an offer of accommodation to all full-time, first-year undergraduate students studying at UCL for the first time for 2026/27. Halls are located in central London, the majority within Zones 1 or 2, offering catered and self-catered options to suit different needs and budgets. Students' Union gyms are available near both the Bloomsbury and UCL East campuses, and the university is powered by 100% renewable electricity and sends no waste to landfill.

In just one week, you might hear five different languages on your walk to class, try food from three continents, and have a debate about international affairs over coffee with classmates who’ve lived very different lives from your own. That kind of exposure teaches you things no textbook ever could.

Lu Dong, International Master’s in Economy, State and Society

How does UCL support your career?

UCL's facilities are built to support serious postgraduate study and world-class research.

Resources for graduate students are reinforced by UCL's remarkable facilities, events and opportunities on offer in the wider London community. UCL's 18 specialist libraries hold over two million books and subscriptions to more than 35,000 journals, alongside rich Special Collections for researchers. The Student Centre offers over 1,000 individual, group and open-plan study spaces designed entirely around student needs.

Research facilities span cutting-edge labs in neuroscience, genomics, quantum computing, robotics and beyond. UCL East at Stratford brings state-of-the-art spaces for engineering, manufacturing futures research and interdisciplinary innovation.

UCL offers a range of accommodation specifically for postgraduate students, with halls conveniently located in central London. There is also limited family accommodation for students who would like to live with partners or children, and UCL works with private providers to signpost alternative options for students choosing to live outside of halls.

What do students say about UCL?

Students consistently highlight the quality of teaching, the research environment and the career opportunities as what makes UCL stand out at postgraduate level.

I was working on a piece of coursework and came across a textbook that explained exactly what I needed. When I went to reference it, I realised it had been written by one of my professors. That sums UCL up really — you're being taught by people who are at the top of their fields, publishing cutting-edge work, and still deeply involved in teaching and mentoring.

Hamza Buhari, Pharmaceutical Formulation and Entrepreneurship MSc

On careers support:

What really sets UCL's careers support apart is how intentionally student-centred it feels. It has made me feel not only more prepared, but more confident in my ability to carve out a career that resonates with me deeply.

M.S, Public Policy MSc

And on funding:

Thanks to my scholarships, I've been able to focus on my studies wholeheartedly, take on volunteering roles that enrich my learning, and immerse myself in campus life without the constant weight of financial stress.

Lu, UCL scholarship recipient

How do you apply to UCL?

Applications for postgraduate taught and research programmes are submitted directly through UCL's online application portal at ucl.ac.uk/admissions. Most programmes open for applications from October for the following September start, though deadlines vary by programme and some popular courses fill up quickly, so applying early is advisable.

UCL holds Postgraduate Open Days and virtual events throughout the year, giving prospective students the opportunity to explore both campuses, meet current postgraduate students and speak directly with academic staff. Details on upcoming dates can be found at ucl.ac.uk/open-days.

International postgraduate applicants should also check UCL's guidance on visa requirements, English language qualifications and country-specific entry information, all available on the international students section of the UCL website.

What else should you know about UCL?

UCL is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2026, marking two centuries of progressive thinking and groundbreaking research. That founding spirit, a belief that higher education should be open to everyone regardless of background, still shapes the postgraduate experience today.

UCL achieved Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 for Student Outcomes and Silver for Student Experience, reflecting the quality of both the academic environment and the broader postgraduate journey. The staff-to-student ratio of 1:10.9 is among the best of any public UK university, meaning postgraduate students benefit from meaningful access to some of the world's most respected academic minds.

For postgraduate researchers in particular, UCL's position as 2nd in the UK for research power means you'll be working alongside and contributing to genuinely world-leading research from the very start. And with the UCL East campus continuing to grow as part of East Bank, the opportunities on offer are only expanding.

UCL’s Disagreeing Well series aims to help people engage in difficult conversations, and to provide the tools, techniques and platforms to negotiate different points of view and find common ground. An important role for universities is to teach the art of disagreeing well as diversity of thought and debate are essential to tackling the challenges we face. Our flagship Disagreeing Well campaign aims to address UCL’s continued role as a forum for open discourse in an increasingly polarised world.