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University College London (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: London, England UK
  • Program Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Restrictions: Rice applicants only
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Program Type: Direct Enroll
Program Description:

UCL Buckingham PalaceUCL Guard's UniformUCL Victory Monument

University College London (UCL) 2024/25
Admissions Updates

  • UCL Department Closures (students can neither apply to these departments nor take classes there): Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Planning, Statistics
 
  • UCL Departments with Limited Capacity (students can apply to these depts, but cannot take classes in them unless admitted): Archaeology; Biochemical Engineering; Biological Sciences; Biomedical Sciences; Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Economics*; Education Electronic and Electrical Engineering; European and International Social and Political Studies; Fine Art; Geography; History; History and Politics of the Americas; Human Sciences; Infection and Immunity; Management; Mechanical Engineering; Neuroscience; Philosophy; Phonetics and Linguistics; Political Science; Social Research Institute; SSEES
    • *Economics (Limited Capacity): UCL has just revised its admission requirements, including new prerequisites and a higher GPA. This shift may impact economics majors who intended to apply during 24/25. Students who do not meet the explicit entry requirements will not be able to apply to Economics.
 
  • Gathered Field Admissions: Decisions for all departments will be rendered by UCL after April 5, and will take at least six weeks. Students should not expect an admissions decision until mid-May.
 

For more up-to-date information visit the program webpage.
 

Overview

University College London (UCL) is a school for the open-minded and ambitious. In 1826 it was founded under the name "University of London" as a secular alternative to the strictly religious and conservative universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and in that vein it was the first UK higher education institution to accept students of any race, religion, or political belief, and the first to admit women on equal terms with men.

Today it ranks among the top five universities in the UK and is a member of the elite Golden Triangle along with Oxford and Cambridge. Perhaps because of the school's dedication to liberal understanding and diversity, UCL alumni range from Mahatma Gandhi and Robert Browning to the current members of award winning British band Coldplay and the current Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi.

Located in the exhilarating urban arena of central London, the school is surrounded by a constellation of other renowned institutions, including the British Museum, the British Library, the University of London, and of course all the multifaceted monuments of London's universal appeal.
 

Academics

UCL is the oldest and largest member of the University of London federation. Often described as a "university within a university," it is among Britain's most diverse and prestigious institutions. The academic year is divided into three academic terms. You may study for the fall term, two terms during the spring, or the full year.

UCL offers excellent academics across the board, but the English department is particularly prestigious. Your academic experience will be specialized and in-depth, with study in no more than two departments. Many popular choices for Rice students in the past have included English, Anthropology, Economics, History and Psychology.

A sample of UCL's areas of study are listed below.  To access a full list of offerings, see the UCL online catalog. 

Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Arts, Astronomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Diverse studies available, Economics, English, French, Geography, German, Greek, History, Italian, Jewish Studies, Latin, Latin American Studies, Law, Math/Statistics, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Russian, Sciences, Spanish

Student Life

Located in the heart of London, University College London (UCL) offers excellent academics and a truly urban experience for the study abroad student. Extensive activities and entertainment are available on and near campus, thanks to an active student's union that provides inexpensive events, bargain shops, cafes, and a sports and fitness center. In addition, the arts are particularly vibrant at UCL. Bloomsbury Theatre allows students to stage productions in professional surroundings, and UCL's well known Operatic Society puts on a full-length opera each year.
 

Housing

Students typically live in flats. There is some very limited space available to student in the UCL international student dorm, though students generally prefer the convenience and location of the provided flats.
 

Location

UCL is located in Bloomsbury, an area known for its lovely squares, elegant houses, and connections to the University of London. Because UCL is part of the University of London, you'll have access to the University of London Union with all its facilities, sports fields, and events.

London has a population of 9 million and boasts as many as 20 million visitors a year. The capital of Britain has been an inspiration for artists and poets alike throughout the centuries. Its busy streets and waterways with their historical buildings, monuments, and bridges offer the visitor a magnificent overview of British history and heritage. London offers the visitor innumerable outstanding museums and galleries, royal palaces, monuments, quaint squares and peaceful green parks, excellent shops, and exciting nightlife.