Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates – UCL's International Foundation Year

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) are foundation courses for international students who don't have the qualifications to enter a UCL undergraduate degree directly.

Experienced UCL teachers will help improve your academic skills, English and subject knowledge. This will help you progress to a degree at UCL or another top UK university.

Is the UPC for me?

The UPC is for you, if:

• You want to study an undergraduate degree in the Sciences, Engineering, Maths, Business, Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences but can’t enter UCL directly.
• You are an academically strong international student with excellent school grades.
• You have finished or are in your final year of high school at the point of application.

Course structure and subjects

You will study four subjects on the UPC:

• two compulsory subjects
• two optional subjects of your choice.

Your subjects will develop your knowledge in your chosen area. Through intensive study, you will also build critical and analytical skills. These essential, transferable skills will support your future undergraduate studies.

Teaching and learning

UPC subjects are taught through a combination of face-to-face and online learning.

Your teaching will be in person and includes lectures, seminars, workshops, group tutorials and practice-based sessions. You may also use online materials, such as additional lectures, quizzes and one-to-one tutorials.

You will have an average of at least 16 hours of teaching each week. This includes:

• practical academic skills
• critical thinking skills
• academic English
• research skills and research projects
• laboratory and practical science skills (UPCSE only)
• design portfolio work (UPCH for Architecture)
• LNAT (Law) examination preparation, where required
• field trips and personal development opportunities.

Each week, you will have a one-to-one tutorial with your personal tutor, as well as regular tutorials with your optional subject tutors. These sessions give you advice and support and help you discuss the academic content of your subjects. You can also attend your teachers’ office hours if you need extra help or support during the UCL foundation course.

All face-to-face sessions, apart from field trips, take place on the UCL campus in central London. You will be registered as a UCL student, giving you access to the academic, welfare, social and cultural resources of both UCL and the University of London.