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UCL CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES & INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

Foundation courses for international students ucl.ac.uk/upc 2020 Entry

English 01 Massachusetts Institute Welcome to UCL: of Technology (MIT) 02 London’s Global 03 04 University 05 California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 06 ETH Zurich - Swiss UCL (University London) is a Federal Institute of Technology world-leading multidisciplinary university 07 University of with an international reputation for 08 UCL* 09 high-quality research and teaching, 10 being ranked in the top 10 universities worldwide.*

Based in Bloomsbury, central London, UCL’s main campus is within walking distance of outstanding academic, social and cultural resources, as well as exceptional sporting facilities and entertainment, giving easy access to the world’s number student city.**

60 01 60 academic Number 1 in the UK for departments in research strength in the 11 faculties latest (2014) Research Excellence Framework

* QS World University Rankings 2020 ** QS Best Student Cities 2019 1:10 250 Staff-to-student The Students’ Union ratio is 1:10 UCL (SU UCL) has more than 250 clubs and societies 18 150 specialist libraries 41,000 students from with more than two more than 150 different million books countries

29 41% Nobel prize winners Around 41% of the student population is from overseas UCL Undergraduate Why study the UPC Progression in 2018 Preparatory Certificates at UCL? Unique 99% UCL is the only UK university featured in received UCL or Russell Overview the top ten of the QS World University Group university* Rankings 2020 to offer its own undergraduate UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) foundation programme, giving you the degree offers are intensive and challenging foundation courses for opportunity to study towards your international students whose home qualifications do target degree at one of the world’s best not allow direct admission to an undergraduate universities. programme. Academic quality & support The UPC provides students with the essential You will be taught on campus by highly 88% academic and languages skills, knowledge and qualified UCL academic staff with received UCL support to progress confidently and smoothly onto expertise in teaching international undergraduate an undergraduate degree at UCL or other top UK students the skills to succeed at degree offers universities. undergraduate level. You will receive personalised one-to-one support and There are two undergraduate foundation courses have full access to UCL’s extensive at UCL: academic resources.

• UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for Immersion 79% Science and Engineering (UPCSE). You will gain valuable experience in the progressed to a Russell • UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for British education system and quickly Group university* the Humanities (UPCH). develop an understanding of the learning style required at UCL, including Over one academic year, the courses provide an critical thinking and research, intensive preparation for the academic challenges complemented by an active social of a top UK degree programme. programme. 54% progressed to a UCL undergraduate degree Academic year September 2020 – June 2021 Key facts Please see our website for course dates ucl.ac.uk/upc 26 Sept different nationalities Course starts were represented on Oct UCAS applications for degrees the course at Oxford and Cambridge Nov universities: 15 Oct

Dec All UCAS applications completed Jan Student 129 UCL degree programmes Feb View guarantee an offer if you are predicted to meet Mar their entry criteria Offers / decisions received

via UCAS from UCL and “I really like how the subjects are Apr other universities taught on the UPC. The teachers want you to fully understand the material, May and not just so you can pass an exam. They are really passionate about Examinations and end 02 Jun their subject.” of course UPC Progression Scholar- ships are offered each year Jul Name: Arkadiy Serezhkin Nationality: Russian to the two highest achieving UPC results Studied: UPCSE (2017) UPC students continuing to a Aug Progressed to: Engineering UCL undergraduate degree

Start undergraduate degree (Mechanical with Business Finance) Sept MEng at UCL at UCL or other UK university *The represents 24 leading 2021 UK universities. russellgroup.ac.uk UCL Undergraduate Course details Compulsory modules

Preparatory You will study four modules: You will study two compulsory modules: • two compulsory modules • Research and Academic Skills Certificates (UPC) • two optional modules of your choice. • Academic English

These highly intensive modules rapidly If you have a near native competence in advance your subject knowledge in a English you can study a Modern Foreign range of topics. You will develop critical Language instead of Academic English and analytical skills that are transferable (see below). between many disciplines and are vital for successful study at undergraduate Research and Academic Skills degree level. This module develops your critical thinking and research skills. UPC modules are delivered through lectures, seminars and tutorials, providing Individual Research – you will undertake an an average of 23 UCL class hours* per individual research project in an area which week, covering: interests and inspires you. This builds your confidence and independence in • practical academic skills researching and presenting ideas. • critical thinking skills • academic English UPCSE students take Science & Society, • research skills and research projects which examines the ethical, social, • laboratory and practical science skills environmental and technological implications (UPCSE only) of various scientific issues. • LNAT (Law) and STEP (Mathematics) examination preparation (as required) UPCH students take Academic Research: • design portfolio (UPC for Architecture) Approaches & Methods, which explores • field trips and personal development fundamental approaches to knowledge in opportunities. different disciplines. You will be challenged to reflect critically on how different subject You will be continually assessed through areas and methodologies may relate to and regular homework, research projects and one another, and how they apply to exercises, and sit end-of-term exams. your own research.

*The UCL class hour is 50 minutes. Academic English The focus is on improving English for academic study. Components include: • essay writing • lecture comprehension and effective note-taking • academic reading • speaking skills (seminars and presentations).

Or

A Modern Foreign Language Student If appropriate, you can study Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, View Mandarin, Portuguese or Spanish instead of Academic English. The minimum level of English required for this is an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) score of 7.5 or equivalent. “The UPC really helped me to tackle how to do research. It gave me a clear path of what to do and a step-by-step guide into how to be a great researcher in the future.”

Name: Subah Alkhaldi Nationality: Saudi Studied: UPCSE (2018) Progressed to: Mechanical Engineering BEng at UCL

Hear more student views: ucl.ac.uk/upc/student-views Optional modules UPCH UPC for Architecture

In addition to the compulsory modules, Classical Civilisation: Literature, UPC students aiming for the Architecture you will select two optional modules. and Politics: Involves the study of some of BSc degree at UCL will study the UPC for The optional modules are selected according the most significant and influential drama, Architecture course. In addition to two to the requirements of the undergraduate philosophy, poetry and historical events of optional modules and the compulsory programme you are aiming for. Please see the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, and academic English module, all UPC for our guide to selecting optional modules. explores the dialogue between the ancient Architecture students will study the ucl.ac.uk/upc/modules past and the modern day. compulsory Visual Studies for Architecture and Academic Research: Approaches and UPC applicants wishing to combine UPCH : Examines modern economic Methods (VSAARAM) module. and UPCSE modules should contact the activity using conventional principles of course administrators for advice. micro- and macroeconomics. The Visual Studies for Architecture (VSA) component of this module is delivered at Geography and the Built Environment: the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture, UPCSE Considers how social, cultural and providing a unique opportunity to economic changes affect people and places experience first-hand what it means to Biology: Biochemistry, cell biology, around the world, through processes such study Architecture at UCL. , DNA technology, physiology, as globalisation, migration and urbanisation. microbiology and are covered, Bartlett tutors will support you in developing as is an awareness of scientific methods, Mathematics: Provides a rigorous and refining your portfolios to support your developed with practical laboratory quantitative analytical basis for degree undergraduate degree applications to the sessions. programmes in numerate disciplines UCL Bartlett School of Architecture and including economics and statistical other top UK architecture schools. : Inorganic, organic and physical sciences. ucl.ac.uk/upc/architecture aspects are all covered, in a way that gives strong emphasis to practical work and is Modern European Culture: Involves the designed to provide a firm foundation for close analysis of important works of art, undergraduate study. film and literature of the modern period to increase the understanding of European Mathematics: Provides a rigorous culture in its historical, social and political quantitative analytical basis for degree dimensions. programmes in numerate disciplines, particularly engineering and the physical Modern European History and Politics: sciences. Focuses on the history of Western democracy, politics, government and Physics: This calculus-based course , exploring the covers both classical and modern physics concepts of nationalism, globalisation and with a rigorous mathematical approach state sovereignty. and an emphasis on experimental and scientific writing skills.

Student View

“The UPC is one of the best foundation year courses in the UK, so I thought there would be a high probability to progress to a top UK university. This was important for me, as I wanted to apply to Oxford or Cambridge.

The UPC also introduced me to the application process and helped me a lot to prepare my university application.”

Name: Yijie Yin Nationality: Chinese Studied: UPCSE (2017) Progressed to: Psychological and Behaviour Sciences BSc at the University of Cambridge Progression in 2018 Entry requirements What documents do I need? Accommodation and application • Fully completed application form - including the personal statement Accommodation is guaranteed for applicants Am I eligible? section who have accepted an offer and meet the You will: • A teacher’s reference accommodation application deadline of 31 • be over 16 years old at the start of • Copies of school transcripts May 2020. the course • An IELTS for UKVI (Academic) • typically be a high achiever in a 12-year – see English language minimum The fees you pay for your accommodation school system which does not meet the requirements will vary depending on your needs, the standard required for direct entry to a • Application fee location and facilities. The majority of UCL UCL undergraduate degree. • A portfolio (for Architecture applicants accommodation is within 10–30 minutes’ ucl.ac.uk/prospectus only) – this should include at least six walk of the main campus. observational drawings as well as work If you are under the age of 18 at the point of in other media, such as paintings, The following tables show you the range of enrolment, you should familiarise yourself collages, 3D and photographs. fees for 2019/20 per week. Fees for 2020/21 with UCL’s essential information for under will be set in the Spring of 2020. 18s before applying. Following receipt of a completed ucl.ac.uk/accommodation ucl.ac.uk/upc/under-18 application and the application fee, suitable candidates will be contacted Self-catered: UCL Student Houses What are the entry requirements? regarding UPC entrance tests. Academic requirements – you will need to present excellent grades on school What are the entrance tests? Single (including en-suite) £211.75 – £249.90 transcripts. Suitable applicants will be required to take entrance tests, and, if successful, will be Twin £97.79 – £125.44 Please see our website for a list of suitable interviewed for the course. country qualifications for entry onto the One-bed flat £201.88 – £306.46 UPC and minimum grades required. UPCSE: Select two subjects from Biology, Catered: UCL of Residence ucl.ac.uk/upc/applications Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics. The choice depends on which optional English language requirements – you must modules you intend to study. Single (not en-suite) £221.69 – £243.32 hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) UPCH: Critical Thinking (and Mathematics Twin (not en-suite) £167.0 9 for applicants selecting Mathematics as an Course IELTS IELTS overall subtest option). minimum minimum You should be familiar with the relevant UPC for Science & 5.5 5.5 Engineering (UPCSE) sample (s) prior to application. Sample tests can be taken online at: UPC for the Humanities 6.0 6.0 ucl.ac.uk/upc/tests (UPCH) UPC with Modern 7.5 7.5 Foreign Languages Tuition fees (UPCMFL)

Tuition fees 2020 Entry When can I apply? Entry onto UCL UPC courses is UPCSE: £20,995 competitive. Applications for 2020 entry Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates open in November 2019 and should be UPCH: £20,495 made as early as possible. Please check UCL Centre for Languages & International Education the website for relevant application University College London deadlines. UPCSE for Architecture: £21,995 26 Bedford Way, London, UPCH for Architecture: £21,495 How do I apply? WC1H 0AP, Applications are made directly to the UCL UK Centre for Languages & International Education. Applications are made online at: Details of other costs associated with the +44 (0)20 7679 8664 ucl.ac.uk/upc course (e.g. living expenses, field trips and [email protected] excursions) can be found online. ucl.ac.uk/upc ucl.ac.uk/upc @uclclie ucl clie

Disclaimer This information is for guidance only. It should not be construed as advice nor relied upon and does not form part of any contract. For more information on UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates, please see our website. ucl.ac.uk/upc