How to Apply to UCL (University College London) in 2024 Entry

UCL Application For The 2024 Entry

University College London, colloquially known as UCL, is one of London’s, and the UK’s, best universities. Part of the esteemed Russell Group — a self-appointed collective of universities, prizing academic excellence and top-tier research — UCL admissions are becoming more and more competitive every year. Putting together your UCL application is made eminently easier by way of a UCL-appropriate personal statement — one that sums up all that makes you an ideal candidate for an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree, and why applying to UCL is the best possible move for your future.

Applying to UCL

UCL Admissions In 2024

Known as ‘UCL’ since 2005, the former ‘London University’ was established in 1826, and has flourished as an exceptional institution for higher education ever since. North of the Thames, just shy of Marylebone and the epic urban underground that is Camden, University College London main campus is surrounded by all the vibrance and activity that makes London one of the world’s most enviable destinations for students. So, is there a secret to gaining access to one of London’s most exciting and academically charged universities? There are certainly ways and means of giving yourself the best chance possible.

Applying to University College London in 2024

The UCL application process can be broken down into several key stages:

  • Identify Your Course - The most basic starting point when it comes to any university application, you will first need to select your course, and ensure that the topics and modules offered by UCL are to your liking. All course information, for Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees, is available on the official website.

  • Entry Requirements - University College London attracts a great number of students from numerous different global locations. You may wish to check what qualifications from countries outside the UK are accepted by UCL’s admissions team. In addition, for students whose first language is not English, a certificate from an English language proficiency test is required. More details can be found on the official website, regarding admissions criteria.

  • Application & Deadline - Make your application to UCL through UCAS’s online portal, ensuring your personal statement is tailored to the requirements of your chosen course. You will be required to submit transcripts of all qualifications relevant to your chosen degree; an English language proficiency certificate (if applicable); and two references from people who are prepared to reinforce your suitability for a place at University College London. These can come from employers, teachers, or a number of other relevant parties. There may be different deadlines for different courses, so make sure you are fully aware of these timeframes.

  • Decision - Barring any errors in your application, you should hear back from university within 2-3 weeks of submitting your application through UCAS. You may be invited to an interview, or made a conditional offer, depending on the subject and level of your degree.

UCL application

UCL Undergraduate Admissions In 2024

As with all universities, the admissions team at UCL are keen on knowing far more about you than can be indicated by a transcript of your academic achievements. UCL has a great focus on maintaining a vibrant, diverse and talented student body — one that values an individual’s contribution to the world around them in more than purely academic terms. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that your application to UCL demonstrates your passions, motivation and your extracurricular interests in order to create an impressive and comprehensive impression of all you can bring.

Any individual statement submitted through UCAS must come in under 4,000 characters, including spaces, and should be equally weighted to demonstrate academic history, personal interests, and individual motivations.

Breaking down the basics of a successful document looks something like this:

  • Coherence - Ensuring your statement is coherent, well-written and all-encompassing when it comes to your academic and non-academic experiences is really important. Coherence is, undoubtedly, key; the UCL admissions team will want to study your statement in detail before any offer is made, meaning that the simple things, such as ensuring your grammar and spelling are beyond reproach, become especially vital. You want to give a thorough account of yourself without rambling, and make sure your message and the person it represents truly shine through. Whether you are applying for an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree, the same principles apply.

  • Uniqueness - A good personal statement must not be, in any shape or form plagiarised, and must be as unique as the student it represents. None of us share the same motivations, experiences or goals, and so a statement should be exactly that: entirely personal. As we have already said, admissions team will want to know about everything shaping or influencing your choice of course, degree, or university. Whilst it should still be a professional document aimed at ensuring your admission into the university, don’t be afraid to show your personality when it comes to writing a personal statement.

  • Balance - As with most things in life, achieving balance when it comes to writing an own statement for UCL is of the utmost importance. Keeping your statement under the 4,000 character limit is no easy feat, so leaning too heavily on one topic or another will rarely be a recipe for success. A good statement will not rely too heavily on any one topic in particular, but will rather give equal weight to academia, work experience, hobbies, motivations, and wider reading / knowledge of your subject of choice. Relying too heavily on one or more of the aforementioned is an easy way to disadvantage yourself in terms of showing UCL that you stand out from the crowd of other applicants. Requesting a third-party edit, or proofread is a great method of ensuring no one part of your statement takes center stage over the others.

  • Confidence - The simple truth is, in order to make sure the admissions team is confident that you will be an excellent new addition to their student body, you have to be confident of that yourself. No one knows your past the way you do, and no one else knows as well as you do how that history has shaped your ambitions, your passions, and your goals for the future. Demonstrating confidence in your statement is easier than it sounds; think about everything that inspires you to apply to your chosen course, and if you do not truly believe in what you are saying, do not write it down.

UCL Personal Statement

So, when it comes to writing a personal statement, where is one supposed to begin? The process is simple in theory, but as countless students before now have discovered, the practice is rather more complicated. For many students, writing a coherent, successful statement is a cause for true stress and concern, at a time when additional stress is truly unnecessary.

International students applying for an Undergraduate or Postgraduate course might also benefit from a third-party writer or editor of a statement. This is where our writers do their best work. 

Our service is tailored to your needs, turning around professional, unique and succinct personal statements for any course or qualification, ensuring that your UCL personal statement is written to the highest possible standard, and presents you in the best possible light. Applying for an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree can be made all the easier through help from our expert writers, all honours graduates from the UK’s top universities. We are passionate about ensuring university admissions remain a fair possibility for everyone — especially those less confident when it comes to writing a fluent, successful application.

Do not wait for the admissions deadline to pass — speak to one of our team members today about what service you require, and how we can help. Whether you require an edit of a preexisting document, a brand new statement written from scratch or wish to take advantage of our ‘Elite’ service for Postgraduate applications, there will be a package and a personal statement to suit your needs.

Keen to find out more about how we can help with your application, at Undergraduate or Postgraduate level, from within or outside the UK? Please do not hesitate to get in touch!