University Of London: Welcoming International Students?

The University of London is a popular choice for international students, with over 195,000 students choosing to study there. The university offers a range of courses and qualifications that attract students from across the world. The application process for international students is the same as for UK students, but there are additional requirements that international students must meet, including English language proficiency and, in some cases, visa applications. The University of London has a high acceptance rate for international students, and offers full-time, part-time, online, and distance learning options.

English language proficiency requirements

The University of London is a popular choice for international students, with around 41% of its students coming from outside the UK. The university accepts a range of international qualifications, including country-specific qualifications, and offers a flexible range of study options, including full-time, part-time, online, and distance learning.

The University of London requires all applicants to meet its English language proficiency standards. These requirements vary slightly depending on the specific course and level of study. Here are the detailed English language proficiency guidelines:

Undergraduate Programmes

For undergraduate programmes, the University of London sets the following English language proficiency requirements:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): A minimum overall score of 6.0 to 7.0, depending on the programme.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: A minimum score ranging from 54 to 65.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT): Required scores range from 79 to 100, depending on the course.

Graduate Programmes

For graduate programmes, the English language proficiency requirements can differ between taught graduate programmes and graduate research programmes. Here are the requirements:

• Taught Graduate Programmes: The university provides country-specific information on English language requirements. You can select your home country from the map or list provided to access detailed information on entry requirements, including English language qualifications.
• Graduate Research Programmes: The university provides guidance on English language requirements for research applicants. While the specific requirements may vary, the university generally accepts a range of English language qualifications.

International Foundation Programme

The University of London also offers an International Foundation Programme for students seeking to improve their English language proficiency before commencing their undergraduate studies. This programme is designed for students aged 17 or older, with specific academic requirements and English language requirements that must be met.

University of East London (UEL)

The University of East London (UEL), which is part of the University of London, has its own English language requirements. UEL accepts a range of English language qualifications, which can vary slightly from course to course. International students can refer to UEL's English language requirements page for detailed information.

Application deadlines

The University of London is a federation of independent member institutions and, as such, has no central admissions system. Therefore, application deadlines vary depending on the specific college and programme. Here is a list of application deadlines for some of the colleges and courses within the University of London:

University College London (UCL)

For most courses, the application deadline for international students is 6 pm (UK time) on 29 January 2025. The deadline for the Medicine course is earlier, at 6 pm (UK time) on 15 October 2024.

University of East London (UEL)

The application deadline for the January 2025 intake is 29 November 2024.

London Metropolitan University

The next available intake for international students is January 2025, but specific application deadlines are not provided.

University of London – Specific Courses

For entry in September for the Autumn Term or the full year, the application deadline is 31 March. For entry in January for the Spring and Summer Terms, the application deadline is 30 September of the previous year.

General UK University Deadlines

While specific universities and courses have their own deadlines, there are some general deadlines for UK universities. For instance, the deadline for most undergraduate courses for the 2025 academic year is 29 January 2025. The final application deadline for all undergraduate courses is 30 June 2025.

Country-specific entry requirements

The University of London is a federation of independent member institutions and, as such, entry requirements differ between them. Here is a summary of the country-specific entry requirements for some of the colleges that make up the University of London:

University College London (UCL)

UCL accepts applications from international students and has 18,000 students from outside the UK.

Country-specific information is available for international students. To see the equivalent entry requirements for your country, you can use the international applications drop-down menu on your programme's page in the prospectus.

For undergraduate programmes, UCL does not use UCAS tariff points to assess applications. Instead, they use specific qualification and grade requirements to assess eligibility. They welcome applications from students offering A Levels and other equivalent qualifications. Their entrance requirements are based on three A Levels, with standard offers in the range of A*A*A–ABB.

UCL also accepts a range of international qualifications for entry, including:

• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP)
• Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Levels

For postgraduate programmes, applicants should normally hold a university honours degree or equivalent qualification in an appropriate subject.

University of East London (UEL)

UEL accepts a number of international qualifications equivalent to the standard UK undergraduate requirements. For most countries, this is equivalent to 12/13 years of education at a High School/Secondary School level. They also take into account any relevant work experience when considering an application.

UEL accepts a range of English language qualifications, which vary slightly from course to course.

City, University of London

City, University of London, accepts a range of international qualifications for entry, with specific requirements depending on the programme.

For undergraduate degrees, applicants must satisfy City's general minimum requirement of passes in two subjects at GCE A-level or equivalent.

For postgraduate master's degrees, applicants should normally hold a university honours degree or equivalent qualification in an appropriate subject.

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

LSE has a range of country-specific entry requirements, which can be found on their website. They accept a variety of international qualifications, including:

• International Baccalaureate Diploma
• European Baccalaureate
• French Baccalaureate
• German Abitur
• Indian Standard XII
• Italian Maturità
• And many more

Scholarships and funding

The University of London, University College London (UCL), and the University of Westminster all offer scholarships and funding opportunities for international students.

University of London

The University of London offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students, including:

• B.S. Chimni Scholarship
• Budapester Foundation Scholarship
• Commonwealth Scholarships
• Corporate Group Discount Bursary
• Federation Member Alumni Bursary
• Hannah Arendt Scholarship
• LLM Scholarships and Bursaries
• Malaysian Bar Council Members Bursary
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Bursary
• Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance & Protection (PHAP) Bursary
• Refugee and Displaced Persons Scholarships
• Royal Veterinary College Bursary
• The Jean-François Durieux Scholarship
• The Teaching Centre Bursary
• The Thriplow Charitable Trusts Bursary
• University of London Worldwide Hardship Fund
• Váradi Scholarships

University College London (UCL)

UCL has a diverse range of scholarships and funding opportunities for international students. They offer guidance on applying for scholarships and provide information on scholarships available in specific countries and in the UK.

One notable scholarship is the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship, which aims to enable and encourage international students from low-income backgrounds to pursue full-time undergraduate degree studies at UCL. Up to 33 scholarships are offered annually, covering full tuition fees, with some also including a maintenance allowance and a fixed allowance for additional costs.

University of Westminster

The University of Westminster, London, offers various scholarships for international students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some notable scholarships include:

• Chevening Scholarship: Fully funded scholarship by the UK government for overseas fee-paying students, covering flights, accommodation, and course fees for a one-year Master's course at any UK university.
• GREAT Scholarship: £10,000 scholarship towards tuition fees for a one-year master's programme, jointly funded by the University of Westminster, the UK government's GREAT Britain campaign, and the British Council.
• Sanctuary Scholarship: Full tuition fee waiver and a monthly maintenance grant of £1000 for up to 12 months for students seeking asylum or with refugee status in the UK who are ineligible for postgraduate financial support.
• International Postgraduate Excellence Award: £3,000 towards full-time Master's tuition fees for high-achieving international students.
• International Sporting Excellence Award: £2,500 - £5,000 for international students performing or playing sports at an elite level or with strong evidence of future outstanding potential.

Visas and immigration

The University of London is a popular choice for international students, with a large number of its students coming from outside the UK. The University of London is made up of three institutions: Birkbeck, Royal Holloway, and the University of East London. Each has its own application process and requirements for international students, including visas and immigration.

For example, at University College London (UCL), the application process for international students is the same as for UK students, but they must apply through UCAS by the relevant deadline. International students at UCL can expect guidance on visa applications, immigration rules, and working in the UK. In most cases, if you are coming to study in the UK for more than 6 months, you will need a Student Visa. It is recommended that international applicants familiarise themselves with the UK immigration requirements early in their application process.

The University of East London (UEL) requires international students who are not citizens of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state to obtain a Tier 4 General Student Visa for courses longer than 6 months. Citizens of countries that require a visa to enter the UK must obtain one, regardless of the length of their course. However, citizens of non-visa countries can enter the UK as a Student Visitor for short courses of less than 6 months without a visa.

International students at the University of London should refer to the specific visa and immigration requirements of their chosen institution. They should also ensure they are aware of the English language requirements and any other entry requirements, such as qualifications and work experience.

Frequently asked questions