UCL
University College London, founded in 1826, turns 200 years old in 2026. QS World number 9 globally, the most multidisciplinary university in the Russell Group with 11 faculties, from Architecture (The Bartlett, top in the world) to Medicine, AI, Economics, Education (IOE, top in the world). Bloomsbury, in the very centre of London. The most diverse university in the UK: 48% international students from more than 150 countries.
About UCL
The third oldest university in England, but the first entirely secular one plus the first to admit women (1878). Radical multidisciplinarity vs Imperial.
University College London (UCL) was founded in 1826 by followers of the philosopher Jeremy Bentham, as a secular alternative to Oxford and Cambridge (which were then exclusively Church of England). UCL was the first university in England entirely secular, the first to admit Jews, Catholics and dissenters, and in 1878 the first UK university to admit women. In 2026 it turns 200 years old.
What makes UCL unique: radical multidisciplinarity with 11 faculties, the complete opposite of Imperial (which is exclusively STEM). Faculties: Arts and Humanities, The Bartlett (Built Environment, number 1 in the world for Architecture), Brain Sciences (Psychology, Neuroscience), Engineering Sciences (CS, AI, Robotics), Institute of Education (number 1 in the world for Education), Laws, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Medical Sciences (UCL Medical School, MBBS, one of the largest in the UK), Population Health Sciences, Social and Historical Sciences.
For Romanian students, UCL is an ideal option if you want multidisciplinarity, double majors, or unusual combinations (e.g. Philosophy and Computer Science BA, European Social and Political Studies, History and Economics). Bloomsbury location: the very centre of London, next to the British Museum, British Library and the financial district, offering direct access to City of London internships. The most diverse university in the UK: 48% international, an active Romanian community. Plus UCL East in Stratford (a modern campus, focused on interdisciplinarity plus tech).
How to apply to UCL
Standard UCAS plus new 2026 tests (TARA replaces STAT for CS, Economics, ESPS, ISPS, Philosophy). For Romanians: TARA preparation is a key differentiator for the popular courses.
UCAS application (UCL code: U80)
You apply through UCAS, a maximum of 5 choices in total. UCL uses the institution code U80. Application fee: £28.95 for 5 choices. Strategy for Romanians: UCL as a reach or target (depending on the course), plus a Russell Group target (Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh), plus a safety. UCL is more accessible than Imperial for most courses.
Deadline 14 January 2026 (Medicine 15 Oct)
Standard UCAS deadline for UCL: 14 January 2026, 18:00 UK time. Exception: Medicine MBBS deadline 15 October (same as Oxbridge). UCAS Apply opens in September. UCL recommends applying early (October-November) for conditional offers before Christmas.
TARA test (NEW 2026!) or TMUA / UCAT / LNAT
NEW for 2026 entry: the TARA test (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) is mandatory for Computer Science (BSc, MEng, CS plus Math, Robotics plus AI), Economics BSc, European Social plus Political Studies, International Social plus Political Studies, Philosophy. TARA replaces the old STAT/Thinking Skills Test. 3 modules: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Writing Task (each 40 min). TMUA is mandatory for Economics BSc plus Economics with Year Abroad. UCAT for Medicine. LNAT for Law. Sittings: October 2026 plus January 2027 for 2027 entry.
Personal Statement (NEW 2026 FORMAT)
The UCAS Personal Statement was REFORMED for 2026 entry, structured into 3 sections with specific questions. Total ~4,000 characters. Academic focus: course motivation, books read, research, projects. For UCL: highlight your multidisciplinarity (e.g. interest across fields) and how it aligns with UCL programmes. For Romanians: the same answers to the three structured questions for all 5 UCAS choices, but adaptable to your field.
Interview (selected courses)
UCL interviews for a few courses, in particular Medicine MBBS (MMI or panel interview), Architecture (The Bartlett), Fine Art Slade School, plus the ESPS Dual Degree (with Sciences Po). Format: online via Microsoft Teams, 20-30 minutes. For Romanians: Medicine requires a portfolio (clinical experience, work shadowing); Architecture requires a creative portfolio. The rest of UCL courses make the decision based on UCAS plus tests plus predicted grades, without an interview.
Conditional offer + Baccalaureate
Conditional offers based on predicted grades. For the Romanian Baccalaureate: a Baccalaureate average of 9-9.5+ and 9-9.5+ in your specialisation (varies by course; CS plus Economics stricter than Humanities). Equivalent to A*AA-AAA at A-Levels. Plus IELTS 6.5-7.5 depending on course. UCL makes a conditional offer with specific Baccalaureate requirements. After the Baccalaureate in June-July, you confirm that you have met the conditions.
Costs for Romanians
Post-Brexit (since 2021), EU citizens (Romanians) pay full Overseas fees. UCL is more affordable in tuition than Imperial, but the cost of living in Bloomsbury remains high.
Intl tuition 2026-27: £26,200-£47,000/year
Total cost: £125k-£200k (3-year BSc)
No need-based aid
UCL does NOT offer need-blind/need-aware admissions like the US Ivies. For international undergraduates, there is NO need-based financial aid. Scholarships are merit-based and highly competitive. You need to plan for the full cost.
Merit-based
UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship: partial tuition coverage, highly competitive. UCL Scholarships for International Students: variable, by faculty. External: Chevening (postgrad only), Commonwealth (postgrad only). Apply separately from UCAS, deadlines April-May.
Full Overseas fees
Since 2021, EU citizens (Romanians) pay full Overseas fees. You no longer have access to UK Student Loans. Exception: pre-Brexit settled status or Irish citizenship. UCL CAS visa requirement: proof of funds for tuition plus £1,334/month living costs.
Want to apply to UCL?
UCL requires a different strategy from Imperial. The TARA test (NEW 2026!) for CS, Economics, ESPS, ISPS, Philosophy, a Personal Statement reformed into 3 sections, a Baccalaureate of 9-9.5 plus predicted grades, IELTS 6.5-7.5 per course, plus a choice between 11 faculties (multidisciplinarity). Our mentors from UCL guide you step by step. The mentoring session is 100% free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
UCL vs Oxbridge vs Imperial, which do we choose for a Romanian?
UCL vs Imperial: UCL is better for multidisciplinarity (Humanities, Law, Architecture, Education, Social Sciences plus STEM). Imperial is better for hardcore STEM (Engineering, AI, Medicine exclusively). UCL vs Oxbridge: UCL does not have the one-to-one tutorial system of Oxbridge, but offers more flexibility (you can combine courses such as Philosophy plus Computer Science, History plus Economics, the ESPS dual degree with Sciences Po). UCL acceptance ~24-28% vs Oxbridge ~15-21%, so UCL is more accessible. For Romanians: if you want Humanities, Architecture, Education or Law, choose UCL. If you want pure STEM, choose Imperial. If you want academic tradition plus tutorials, choose Oxbridge.
How many Romanians study at UCL?
UCL has ~48% international students, from more than 150 countries. The Romanian community is active: the UCL Romanian Society organises social events, networking and study groups. Estimate: ~100-150 Romanian students between undergrad and postgrad at any given time (varies by year). UCL is among the most popular choices for Romanians after Oxbridge, thanks to its multidisciplinarity and its central London location.
Do I need the TARA test? How do I prepare?
TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) is NEW and mandatory from 2026 for: Computer Science BSc/MEng, CS plus Math MEng, Robotics plus AI MEng, Economics BSc, ESPS BA, ISPS BA, Philosophy. Structure: 3 mandatory modules, each 40 minutes, Critical Thinking (22 multiple-choice questions), Problem Solving (multiple-choice), plus Writing Task (essay). It is NOT subject-specific; it tests critical thinking plus written expression. Sittings for 2027 entry: October 2026 plus January 2027. Cost: £130 (EU). Preparation for Romanians: 2-3 months with UAT-UK sample papers, focusing on Critical Thinking plus Writing Task (the hardest for non-native English speakers).
Can I get into UCL with the Romanian Baccalaureate?
Yes, the Romanian Baccalaureate is accepted. Typical UCL threshold: a Baccalaureate average of 9-9.5 and 9-9.5 in your specialisation. Equivalent to A*AA-AAA at A-Levels. For highly competitive courses (CS, Economics, Medicine): it may require 9.5 plus in both. Specific subjects: CS requires a Maths-Computer Science Baccalaureate with 9.5 plus in Maths; Economics requires Maths at the Baccalaureate; Medicine requires a Biology-Chemistry or Maths-Biology Baccalaureate. The Bartlett (Architecture) requires a creative portfolio separate from UCAS. Predicted grades come from your form teacher.
What IELTS do I need for UCL?
The minimum UCL IELTS varies by course: Standard level (most courses): 6.5 overall, no sub 6.0 per component. Good level: 7.0 overall, no sub 6.5 per component (many Humanities, Social Sciences courses). Advanced level: 7.5 overall, no sub 6.5 per component (Law, Medicine, English Literature). TOEFL iBT alternative: 92-109 overall (per level). For Romanians: aim for IELTS 7.0 plus for a competitive profile. Check the exact level on your course page. Valid for 2 years.
How much do 3 years at UCL cost in total for a Romanian?
3-year BSc in Humanities/Arts: ~£125,000-£140,000 total all-in (tuition + housing + living). 3-year BSc in Engineering/CS: ~£155,000-£180,000. 4-year integrated MEng: ~£200,000-£260,000. 6-year Medicine MBBS: ~£300,000-£400,000. Annual breakdown: tuition £26-47k + Bloomsbury housing £12-16k + food/transport/misc £5-6k = ~£43-69k/year. By comparison: UCL is ~£20-30k cheaper per year than Imperial for the same type of course. With the US Ivies at a full cost of £65-75k/year, UCL is ~£20-30k/year cheaper.
Can I stay in the UK after graduation? Graduate Route?
Yes, through the Graduate Route visa. After graduating from any UCL degree (BSc, MSc, MEng, MBBS), you are automatically entitled to 2 years on the Graduate Route (3 years for a PhD) to look for a job in the UK without a sponsor. Visa cost: £822 + £1,035/year IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge). For Romanians: you apply in the UK at the end of the academic year. Then: you transition to a Skilled Worker visa (which requires an employer sponsor). UCL graduate salaries: £32-58k starting (depending on the field); £65-95k in finance/tech/law. Top recruiters: McKinsey, Big Law, Goldman Sachs, Google, NHS.
Which are the best UCL courses for global careers?
For Architecture/Design careers: The Bartlett (number 1 in the world for Architecture). For Education/EdTech careers: the Institute of Education (number 1 in the world). For City of London finance careers: Economics BSc, Statistics, Economics and a Language, Management Science BSc. For tech careers (FAANG, startups): Computer Science BSc/MEng, Robotics and AI MEng, Computer Science plus Mathematics. For medical/R&D careers: Medicine MBBS, Neuroscience BSc, Biomedical Sciences. For UK/international Law careers: Law LLB (top 5 UK), European Social and Political Studies BA. For policy/diplomacy careers: Politics, International Studies, the ESPS Dual Degree with Sciences Po Paris.
Our mentors for the UK
They studied at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE and other UK universities. Now they guide you.
