About the university
University College London (UCL) was founded in 1826 as London's first university. It is a large research university with more than 51,000 students and 18,000 staff, based on Gower Street in central London with a second set of buildings in east London.
UCL is ranked 8th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and was 2nd for research power in REF 2021. It teaches almost every subject, and its computer science, machine learning, engineering, business analytics and health programmes are among the most popular with international students.
For Indian students UCL is one of the most selective choices in the UK. Most master's courses ask for a 2:1 equivalent and a higher English level than many universities, often IELTS 7.0. Fees are high, from about £39,000 to over £50,000 a year, but UCL runs need-based scholarships with awards reserved for Indian students.
Living in central London is expensive. UCL estimates essential living costs (excluding rent) at about £426 a month, and undergraduate self-catered halls average £320 a week in 2026/27.
- Founded
- 1826, as London's first university
- Type
- Public research university
- Total students
- More than 51,000 (UCL); 44,890 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 63% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data); students from over 150 countries
- Student–staff ratio
- 11.2 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Central London (Gower Street) and east London
- Intakes
- September
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
8th in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=17 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
=13th of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £44,400
- Duration
- 1 calendar year full time
- Intakes
- September 2027 (visa applicants apply by 22 March 2027)
- English
- UCL Level 2 (IELTS 7.0, 6.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £42,700
- Duration
- 1 calendar year full time
- Intakes
- September
- English
- UCL Level 2 (IELTS 7.0, 6.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
Data Science and Machine Learning MSc
- Fee / year
- £42,700
- Duration
- 1 calendar year full time
- Intakes
- September
- English
- UCL Level 2 (IELTS 7.0, 6.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £46,700
- Duration
- 1 calendar year full time
- Intakes
- September
- English
- UCL Level 2 (IELTS 7.0, 6.5 in each component), in a single test
- Postgraduate
Computational Statistics and Machine Learning MSc
- Fee / year
- £42,700
- Duration
- 1 calendar year full time
- Intakes
- September
- English
- UCL Level 2 (IELTS 7.0, 6.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £48,250
- Duration
- 1 calendar year full time
- Intakes
- September
- English
- UCL Level 2 (IELTS 7.0, 6.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £42,700
- Duration
- 1 calendar year full time
- Intakes
- September
- English
- UCL Level 1 (IELTS 6.5, 6.0 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £50,600
- Duration
- 1 calendar year full time
- Intakes
- September
- English
- UCL Level 3 (IELTS 7.0, 7.0 in each component)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Learning MSc | 1 calendar year full time | £44,400 | ≈ ₹54.2 lakh |
| Computer Science MSc | 1 calendar year full time | £42,700 | ≈ ₹52.1 lakh |
| Data Science and Machine Learning MSc | 1 calendar year full time | £42,700 | ≈ ₹52.1 lakh |
| Business Analytics MSc | 1 calendar year full time | £46,700 | ≈ ₹57 lakh |
| Computational Statistics and Machine Learning MSc | 1 calendar year full time | £42,700 | ≈ ₹52.1 lakh |
| Finance with Data Science MSc | 1 calendar year full time | £48,250 | ≈ ₹58.9 lakh |
| Civil Engineering MSc | 1 calendar year full time | £42,700 | ≈ ₹52.1 lakh |
| Financial Technology MSc | 1 calendar year full time | £50,600 | ≈ ₹61.7 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University College London with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Full-time, in-person master's
UCL Global Master's Scholarship
Value: £15,000 for one year
Eligibility: Overseas-fee applicants from lower-income households with a complete master's application. Up to 85 awards in 2026/27, with five reserved for Indian students. The 2026/27 deadline was 7 May 2026; check the page for 2027/28.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-time undergraduate
UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship
Value: Full tuition, with some awards also covering maintenance and visa costs
Eligibility: Overseas-fee students from low-income households. The most recent page seen (2024/25 entry) offered up to 33 awards, including three full-tuition awards for students from India.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - One-year master's in the Institute of Global Health or Institute of Child Health
Mukul Madhav Foundation Scholarship
Value: Full tuition fees for one year
Eligibility: Indian nationals ordinarily resident in India and paying overseas fees, holding a UCL offer by late June. One award in 2026/27.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Apply through UCAS; the deadline for most September 2027 courses is 13 January 2027 at 6pm UK time.
- Each course page has a country selector that shows the Indian qualification equivalents for that course; requirements differ by course.
- Undergraduate fees for international students are covered by a cohort guarantee on some course pages, so they should not rise during the degree.
Postgraduate
- Most master's courses on this page ask for at least an upper second-class (2:1) bachelor's degree or an overseas equivalent, usually in a quantitative or related subject.
- Applicants who need a visa have earlier deadlines, often in March or June. Machine Learning MSc closes on 22 March 2027 for visa applicants, and late applications are not considered.
- Admissions are staged and competitive, so apply early.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree transcripts and certificate (postgraduate)
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score at the level your course needs
- Personal statement
- Academic references
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Level 1: 6.5 (6.0 in each component); Level 2: 7.0 (6.5 in each); Level 3: 7.0 (7.0 in each); Level 4: 7.5 (7.0 in each) |
| PTE Academic | Level 1: 75 (67 in each skill); Level 2: 76 (75); Level 3: 76 (76); Level 4: 80 (76) |
| TOEFL iBT | For tests from 21 January 2026: Level 1 4.5 (4.0 in each skill); Level 2 4.5 (4.5); Level 3 5.0 (5.0). Older scale: Level 1 92, Level 2 96, Level 3 100 |
| Course level | Each course page states its English level (1 to 5). Duolingo is not listed on UCL's graduate English page. |
Accommodation and living costs
UCL halls are in central London. Undergraduates usually take a 39-week contract; postgraduate rooms are usually offered on a 51-week contract. UCL's own cost estimates are below.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate self-catered halls (average)2026/27; about £12,480 for 39 weeks | £320per week | ≈ ₹39,040 |
| Undergraduate self-catered halls (range)2026/27, depending on the hall | £154–456per week | ≈ ₹18,771 – ₹55,597 |
| Postgraduate UCL hallsUsually a 51-week contract | £153–529per week | ≈ ₹18,666 – ₹64,538 |
| UCL's estimate of essential living costs (excluding rent)Food, travelcard, phone, course materials, health | £426per month | ≈ ₹51,972 |
| Money you must show for the Student visaLondon, for up to 9 months (GOV.UK, October 2026) | £1,529per month | ≈ ₹1.9 lakh |
Campus and location
UCL's main campus is on Gower Street in central London, and the university also has locations in east London. Its estate covers more than 200 buildings.
- Central London location on Gower Street, WC1E.
- Further teaching and research buildings in east London.
- Students from over 150 countries.
- 2nd for research power in REF 2021.
Careers and graduate outcomes
UCL is a large, research-intensive university in central London. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa: 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates who apply from 1 January 2027, or 3 years after a PhD.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate visa length for applications from 1 January 2027 | 18 months (bachelor's and master's) | GOV.UK |
| International students as a share of all students | 63% | THE World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is a master's at UCL?
Most technical master's courses on this page cost £42,700 a year (2026/27), Machine Learning MSc is £44,400 for 2027/28, and finance and analytics courses cost £46,700 to £50,600.
What IELTS score do I need for UCL?
It depends on the course's English level. Level 1 is IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component; Level 2, used by many computing and data courses, is 7.0 with 6.5 in each component.
Does UCL have a January intake?
No. The courses on this page start in September only. Visa applicants often have deadlines in March or June, so apply early.
Are there scholarships for Indian students?
Yes. The UCL Global Master's Scholarship (£15,000) reserved five awards for Indian students in 2026/27, and the Mukul Madhav Foundation Scholarship covers full tuition for one Indian student in global or child health. Both are need-based or highly competitive.
Can I work after graduating?
UCL graduates can apply for the UK Graduate visa. See our UK country guide for the current rules.
Sources
- UCL: Machine Learning MSc (2027 entry) (opens in a new tab)
- UCL: Business Analytics MSc (opens in a new tab)
- UCL: Computer Science MSc (opens in a new tab)
- UCL: Computer Science BSc (2027 entry) (opens in a new tab)
- UCL: English language requirements (graduate) (opens in a new tab)
- UCL: Global Master's Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- UCL: Mukul Madhav Foundation Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- UCL: how much does it cost to study at UCL? (opens in a new tab)
- UCL: about UCL (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: UCL (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ucl.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
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