Ucl Law: Competitive Admissions, High Applicant Numbers

The UCL Faculty of Laws is the law school of University College London. It is one of the most prestigious law schools in the UK, with a rich history dating back to 1827. The faculty offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including the highly sought-after LLB Law programme. With a limited number of undergraduate places available each year, the competition for admission is fierce. For instance, in 2024, UCL received nearly 80,000 applications for undergraduate programmes, with the LLB Law programme being one of the most popular choices. Applicants must meet stringent entry requirements, including high grades in A-levels or equivalent qualifications, and a strong performance in the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT). The LNAT is a crucial factor in the admissions process, with a high score enhancing an applicant's chances of securing a place at UCL Law.

Application deadlines and requirements

UCL receives a large number of applications – for 2024 entry, nearly 80,000 applications were received for undergraduate programmes. Applications for the LLM programmes for 2025/26 entry opened on 14 October 2024. The deadline for those who will need a visa to study is 4 April 2025, and for those who do not need a visa, the deadline is 29 August 2025.

For undergraduate admissions, applications must be made online through UCAS by 29 January 2025. All applicants must also take the LNAT alongside their UCAS application by 31 December 2024. Applications received after the UCAS deadline will not be considered.

For the MPhil/PhD programme, the application window for 2025/26 admission will be open from 2 September 2024 until 5:00 pm on 18 November 2024.

UCL does not offer a long-distance or non-resident MPhil/PhD programme.

For undergraduate admissions, the minimum entry requirements are based on three A Levels. Depending on the degree programme, standard offers range from A*A*A to ABB. UCL does not use UCAS tariff points to assess applications.

For the LLM programme, entrants must have a 'good 2.1 with evidence of 1st-class ability' or equivalent, and must provide evidence of motivation, reasoning, and analytical ability, as well as communication skills in their application.

For the MPhil/PhD programme, the minimum entry requirement is a UK bachelor's degree in an appropriate subject, awarded with a First or good Upper Second-class Honours (2:1). If you have not studied in the UK, UCL will accept overseas qualifications of an equivalent standard. While it is not essential to have a master's degree, it is strongly preferred, and the majority of students admitted onto the programme do have one.

English language requirements vary depending on the programme. For the LLM and MPhil/PhD programmes, if you are not a national of a country deemed by the UK Home Office to be "majority English-speaking", you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency.

The LNAT

UCL offers some guidance and tips for preparing for the LNAT:

• The test is designed to assess a candidate's potential for studying law. Candidates should read all the information available on the LNAT website, including the 'Guide to Preparing for the LNAT'.
• Practice is key. Candidates are encouraged to practice as much as possible, as there is only one attempt at the LNAT. The LNAT website provides resources and information to help familiarise oneself with the test format. Additionally, UCL recommends using the official LNAT test simulator to get accustomed to the test environment.
• The LNAT must be completed at a test centre, which may be an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar software. Practicing with the test simulator can help candidates feel more comfortable and perform better on the test day.
• Candidates can benefit from practising the individual components of the test: the multiple-choice section and the essay component. For the multiple-choice section, it is important to improve reading comprehension and time management skills. It is better to allocate time effectively to answer all the questions rather than spending too much time on a single question.
• The LNAT essay provides a choice of three questions, and candidates must select and answer one. The essay component assesses candidates' writing skills and their ability to formulate, develop, and defend an argument. A good essay will have a clear structure, a well-supported argument, and demonstrate a grasp of the topic.
• It is recommended to read a broadsheet newspaper to stay informed about current affairs, as this can help in understanding and answering essay questions.
• When choosing an essay question, pick a topic that you have knowledge about, rather than one that you feel strongly about. It is important to be able to argue different points of view and make a balanced discussion.
• Plan the structure and time allocation for your essay beforehand. A common mistake is spending too much time on the introduction or a single point.
• Make your essay stand out by providing supporting evidence and demonstrating creative arguments. Consider potential flaws or implications in your arguments. Avoid giving mere opinions and focus on building a case using evidence.
• Practice writing essays under timed conditions on a computer.

UCAS applications

The application process for the LLB degree programmes at UCL Laws must be completed online through UCAS. The UCAS website serves as an excellent source of information and advice for prospective students. It is important to note that applicants must also take the LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) alongside their UCAS application. The LNAT measures candidates' reasoning skills, which are crucial for legal education, and supplements their university application.

The competition for places at UCL is intense, with nearly 80,000 applications received for undergraduate programmes in 2024. Therefore, it is recommended that applicants only apply to programmes where they meet the minimum requirements. For undergraduate degree programmes, UCL does not use UCAS tariff points but instead focuses on specific qualification and grade requirements.

The entry requirements for LLB programmes at UCL Laws are demanding. Applicants are expected to have A*AA grades at A-level and a high LNAT score. The LNAT score acts as a benchmark, with the average score of successful applicants being 29.8 in recent years. Additionally, all candidates who are offered a place and require particular consideration are interviewed.

The UCAS application process allows students to track their application's progress and stay updated with responses from universities. It is crucial to meet the key deadlines published on the UCAS website. For instance, the deadline for submitting a UCAS application for LLB programmes at UCL Laws is 29 January 2025.

Overall, the UCAS application process is comprehensive and plays a vital role in selecting students for the highly competitive LLB programmes at UCL Laws.

UCL Laws' reputation and rankings

UCL Laws has a long history, dating back to 1827, when the noted legal philosopher John Austin was appointed Professor of Jurisprudence. It was the first law school in England to admit students regardless of their religion and the first to admit women on equal terms with men. It was also the first to award a law degree to a woman, Eliza Orme, and appointed one of the first three female law professors in the UK, Valentine Korah, who pioneered the study of competition law in Europe.

UCL Laws is currently ranked 9th in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2025. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Law & Legal Studies, it is ranked 14th in the world. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject: law, it is ranked 12th in the world. In the Complete University Guide 2025, it is ranked 2nd in the UK. In the Times Good University Guide 2025, it is ranked 1st in the UK. In the Guardian University Guide 2025, it is ranked 2nd in the UK.

UCL Laws was also ranked first in the UK for the quality of its research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The faculty's Judicial Institute, launched in 2010, was the first specialist academic centre for research and teaching about the judiciary in the UK.

The UCL Law Society is regarded as one of the most prestigious student law societies in the UK. In 2017, it was recognised as one of the top 10 university societies in the UK and was shortlisted for the 'Best Law Society' and 'Best Society for Aspiring Barristers' in the country.

Scholarships and funding

While I wasn't able to find information on how many people apply to UCL Law, I did find details on scholarships and funding for the course.

UCL Laws offers a range of scholarships to support students from diverse backgrounds, promote inclusion, and recognise academic excellence. Here are some of the scholarships available for undergraduate and postgraduate students:

Undergraduate Scholarships:

• UCL Laws LLB Opportunity Scholarship: This scholarship is designed to support eligible undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds studying Law at UCL. It provides a maintenance bursary of £15,000 per year for the duration of their degree.
• Rodney Stubblefield LLB Opportunity Scholarship: Similar to the UCL Laws LLB Opportunity Scholarship, this scholarship is established by the Gamlen Charitable Trust and provides a maintenance bursary of £15,000 per year for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Francis Boateng Scholarship: This scholarship, in partnership with Barrington Hibbert Associates, supports an undergraduate student studying LLB Law to promote socioeconomic diversity. It covers fees and/or maintenance for the duration of the degree.
• Firoza Dodhi Freshers Award: This award, supported by UCL Laws alumna Firoza Dodhi, is given to an eligible undergraduate student to cover the costs of registering for and attending Law Society Freshers' fortnight events.
• The Bentham Club Scholarship: A £1000 scholarship is awarded to a second, third, or fourth-year LLB student to contribute to their living expenses. It is based on academic performance, contribution to UCL Laws, financial need, and promise.
• The Mishcon Bursaries: Funded by the Mishcon family, this bursary provides £400 per year to first-year students, renewable for up to three years based on academic performance and financial need.

Postgraduate Scholarships:

• UCL200 LLM Academic Excellence Scholarship: As part of UCL's Bicentennial celebrations, this scholarship provides a £10,000 fee reduction for students with outstanding academic achievements pursuing an LLM.
• UCL200 LLM Opportunity Scholarship: This scholarship offers a full fee waiver and a £15,000 maintenance grant to UK-domiciled students from limited means pursuing an LLM.
• UCL200 LLM Future Scholars' Award: Aimed at UK-domiciled individuals from limited means who plan to use their LLM as a stepping stone to doctoral studies, this scholarship provides a full fee waiver and a £15,000 maintenance grant.
• Vinson Chu PKU/UCL Scholarship: With support from the Vinson & Cissy Chu Charitable Foundation, this scholarship is for Chinese law graduates of Peking University who need financial assistance to pursue a full-time LLM at UCL. It covers overseas full-time tuition fees.
• Pius Langa Memorial Fellowship: Named after the former Chief Justice, this award is for young South African lawyers committed to advancing constitutional and human rights law in South Africa and/or Africa. It includes a full tuition waiver and a grant of £21,800 for travel and living expenses.

In addition to these scholarships, UCL also offers wider funding opportunities, such as student loans, grants, and bursaries, to support students in their legal studies.

Frequently asked questions