Navigating university admissions can be a complex process. You can only choose up to five courses as part of your UCAS application, so you don’t want to waste any of them!

It’s good to aim high, but you still want your university and degree choices to be attainable for you.

To help your decision making, here’s a comprehensive guide to admissions at UCL (and a few other London unis too). We’ll delve into the key details you need to know, the grades required and the odds of securing a coveted spot.

So, to understand why UCL is so competitive, what admissions tutors are looking for and whether it’s the right fit for you, read on.

Is it very hard to get into UCL?

We won’t sugarcoat it. Yes, University College London (UCL) is a hard university to get into. As a rule of thumb, degrees at UCL are very competitive. So you’ll need top marks (think three As or A*s) to stand out. Admission is a challenge, but with the right mindset, good grades and a strong personal statement it’s totally doable.

If you’re applying to UCL, your first step should be checking individual course pages for entry requirements. The grades you need differ depending on the course, and you might even need specific A Level subjects too. 

For instance, to study Astrophysics, you’ll need A*AA including Mathematics and Physics. For this course, UCL also prefers students with additional A Levels in Chemistry, Biology or Further Maths.

Generally speaking, UCL requires a minimum of ABB for entry. For a strong application though, you’ll probably want to aim for AAA or higher. UCL only considers three A Levels for entry, so if you’ve studied four A Levels, they’ll just take your three highest grades. 

The more competitive a subject is, the higher grades you’ll need. Computer Science, Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Law (for example) usually need A*A*A – A*AA.

In good news though, UCL doesn’t just accept A Levels. If you’ve got other qualifications, like BTECs, Scottish Highers or International Baccalaureate these are all considered. Indeed, UCL students hail from over 150 countries so it’s a really diverse, vibrant and exciting student body.

What are the chances of getting into UCL?

So, we’ve seen that UCL has high entry standards. 

To get in, you’ll first need an offer. After you’ve submitted your UCAS application, universities make provisional offers. These specify the grades you need to secure a place.

UCL’s entry range is ABB to A*A*A, which means you’ll need at least these grades to get a spot. UCL doesn’t accept students with any grades lower than B.

So it’s important to ask yourself, what are your chances of achieving ABB or higher at A Level? This will be different for everyone. If you think you’re on track for at least three As, you could have an excellent chance of getting into UCL.

As well as A Level grades, UCL assess applications via GCSE marks, academic references and your personal statement. So to up your chances even more, you’ll need to make sure these are all glowing too!

Why is UCL so prestigious?

UCL is an icon for prestige in higher education. As a member of the Russell Group, its teaching is rooted in a legacy of world-class research with global influence across many academic disciplines.

Because of this strong reputation, UCL attracts some of the brightest minds. Indeed, the university boasts 30 Nobel Laureates among its accomplished alumni. This creates an environment where undergraduates, researchers and faculty (past and present) push boundaries and shape the intellectual landscape.

Adding to this illustrious reputation, The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 voted UCL as their “University of the Year”. This prestigious title reflects UCL’s unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching, research and public engagement.

As well as this title, UCL maintains a consistent presence in the top ten, and sometimes top five universities in the country. It also holds its own on the global stage. Maintaining its position among the top ten universities in the 2024 QS World University Rankings (for the twelfth consecutive year), UCL currently sits at 9. UCL was also second for its strong international research network. This places UCL in the top 1% of nearly 1,500 assessed institutions.

To sum up, UCL’s prestige is deeply rooted in its longstanding commitment to academic excellence and innovative thinking – from 1826 to the present day. The university’s teaching philosophy emphasises not just what to think, but more importantly how to think. As a result, its graduates are some of the most sought after in the country.

Is it harder to get into UCL or LSE?

If you’ve got your heart set on university in London, then chances are you’ve also explored the London School of Economics and Political Science (or LSE for short). 

But if you’re applying to both UCL and LSE, which university is more likely to offer you a place?

Well, according to entry standards reported in The Complete University Guide 2024, students at LSE have slightly higher A Level grades than those at UCL. There isn’t much in it though. LSE ranks 8th for entry standards while UCL ranks 9th. This means it’s slightly harder to get into LSE, but only just.

We’ve already written an in-depth comparison between UCL and LSE, so have a read if you’re still weighing up your choices.

We should also note how “hard” a university is to get into will also depend on the course. For instance, UCL ranks in the global top five for Education, Architecture, Archaeology, Pharmacology and Psychology. As a rule of thumb, the better ranked a university is in a particular subject, the higher entry standards are likely to be. 

Is it harder to get into King’s or LSE?

We know you need top grades to get into UCL and LSE. But what about King’s College London?

Often referred to just as King’s, this university has a rich history. Founded in 1829, it’s known for a strong commitment to academic excellence, research and community impact. With five campuses spread throughout London, King’s offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It consistently ranks among the best universities in the country.

In terms of which university is harder to get into though, let’s unpack the stats. You can check the number of offers made vs applications received to see how competitive a university is.

Here are the top five:

1. London School of Economics (LSE): 26.1%
2. University College London (UCL): 29.5%
3. Edinburgh University: 29.7%
4. Imperial College London: 30.1%
5. King’s College London: 39.3%

So, while King’s accepts 39.3% of applicants, LSE only accepts 26.1%. Along with UCL, they’re all extremely competitive – but LSE is slightly harder to secure a spot.

Can an average student get into LSE or UCL?

First off, let’s explain what we mean by an “average” student. 

When it comes to academia, all that matters is fulfilling your personal potential – and this is different for everybody. What seems “average” for one person will be a monumental achievement for another.

In terms of the numbers though, the government releases data on all A Level grades in the country. The most recent report has an average point score of 38.87. This is equivalent to a grade B.

So let’s reframe the question. Can you get into UCL or LSE with BBB? Unfortunately, probably not. You won’t find many offers below ABB at either university. 

To stand out, you’ll need AAA or higher. 

But you could still get into LSE and UCL with some B grades. So if your A Level predictions include Bs, don’t give up hope just yet!

Are you applying to UCL, LSE or King’s?

If you’re applying to either UCL, LSE or King’s, get in touch with our expert team of academic coaches today. We have a proven track record of helping students gain places at the most prestigious universities in the country. 

Whether you need guidance on personal statements and university applications, advice on study skills strategies and exam preparation or more general academic life coaching, we’re here to help.