UCAS Q300, three years
UCL describes a three-year BA from the seventh century to the present, with linguistics modules.
Undergraduate · UCL English
UCL English: one-to-one tutorials and a thousand years of literature
UCL's English BA asks for AAA with English Literature and spans literature from the seventh century to the present, with linguistics options. UCL says it is the only UK English department with one-to-one tutorials. The decision against Oxford and Cambridge is the teaching model and the structure of the course.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What UCL asks for in English
Taken from UCL's English BA course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes) and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; UCL's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAA with English Literature
The A-level requirement is AAA, with English Literature or combined Literature and Language required.
IB 18 points with English at 6
18 points in three higher level subjects including English Literature or Language and Literature at grade 6.
One-to-one tutorials
UCL says it is the only UK English department to provide one-to-one tutorial teaching.
Literature across a thousand years, plus linguistics
Students study literature from the seventh century to today and can take linguistics modules.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on UCL's English BA course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes), which describes 2027 entry. UCL's department pages, the fees pages, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read, and the page lists no admissions test or interview so none is stated and are not stated.
The course
Medieval to modern, with linguistics alongside
UCL says students study English literature from the seventh century to the modern day, take specialist linguistics modules and develop transferable skills in writing, research and critical thinking, with one-to-one tutorial teaching that UCL says is unique among UK English departments.
Is it the right degree?
UCL English against Oxford and Cambridge
All three require English Literature; the structure differs.
Choose UCL English if
you want one-to-one tutorials and linguistics options within an English degree.
Compare Oxford English Language and Literature if
you want Oxford's course. Avandy's guide records its own rules, tests and interview.
Compare Cambridge English if
you want Cambridge's tripos. Avandy's guide records its own rules.
Entry rules
AAA with English Literature
A-level applicants need AAA with English Literature (or combined Literature and Language). IB applicants need 18 points in three higher level subjects including English Literature or Language and Literature at grade 6. UCL's page lists no admissions test or interview. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not UCL's.
Do you want one-to-one tutorials?
UCL highlights them.
Is English Literature in place?
It is required.
Does linguistics interest you?
Specialist modules are available.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules UCL has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means UCL published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means UCL has not yet published it.
Grades, the subject requirements and the preferred-subject guidance: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. UCL has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check UCL's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the required subjects, read the course structure and plan your preparation around it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with University College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does UCL English BA require?
AAA at A level with English Literature (or combined Literature and Language) required, in UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
What is the IB requirement?
18 points in three higher level subjects including English A1 Literature or Language and Literature at grade 6.
Is English Literature required?
Yes. UCL lists English Literature, or combined Literature and Language, as required.
What teaching format does UCL highlight?
One-to-one tutorials, which UCL says no other UK English department provides.
Does Avandy state offer scores?
No. This page records UCL's wording for 2027 entry and states no scores or probabilities.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are UCL's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when UCL publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about UCL English
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their English Literature, their interest in one-to-one tutorials and linguistics and how UCL compares with Oxford and Cambridge, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.