A three-year BSc with an MSci option, B140
UCL says students can complete the three-year BSc or, at the end of Year 2, transfer to the four-year integrated MSci, dependent on good first and second-year results.
Undergraduate · UCL Neuroscience
UCL Neuroscience BSc: from neurons to cognition
UCL's Neuroscience BSc studies how the brain works from the molecular and cellular level up to circuits, behaviour and cognition, in a department with links to the Francis Crick Institute, the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit and the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre. It asks for AAA with Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics, or 38 IB points. UCL Psychology and Biomedical Sciences ask for different subjects, so the decision is between three ways of studying the mind and body, each with its own required subjects.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What UCL asks for in Neuroscience
Taken from UCL's Neuroscience BSc 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 Chemistry, or 38 IB points
The A-level requirement is AAA. The IB requirement is 38 points, with 18 in three higher level subjects including Chemistry and one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics, and no higher level score below 5.
Chemistry plus one other science or Mathematics
Chemistry is required plus one from Biology, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics. GCSE English Language and Mathematics are needed at B or 6.
Lab experiments from Year 2
In Year 2 students conduct extensive laboratory experiments using cultured cells and tissue samples while extending their computational and analytical skills.
A research project in Year 3
The final-year project explores evolving topics at the cutting edge of neuroscience.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on UCL's Neuroscience BSc course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes), which describes 2027 entry. UCL's department pages, fees, 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
Molecules and cells first, circuits and cognition later
UCL says Year 1 covers the foundations of molecular, cellular and system neuroscience and key scientific, analytical and computational techniques, spanning the biosciences from molecules to populations. Year 2 develops neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, pharmacology and molecular biology with extensive laboratory experiments, and at its end students choose between the BSc and a transfer to the four-year MSci. Year 3 combines a research project with optional modules across specialisms. Over the course students explore how memories are formed, how brain cell activity shapes behaviour, how senses perceive the world and the causes and novel treatments of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. UCL labels the page as a saved copy that may not show recent changes.
Which brain degree?
Neuroscience, Psychology or Biomedical Sciences?
Avandy has guides to UCL Psychology and UCL Biomedical Sciences. Their subject rules differ.
Choose Neuroscience if
you want the biology and chemistry of the nervous system, with lab work and computational analysis, and Chemistry is one of your A levels.
Choose UCL Psychology if
behaviour and cognition through scientific psychology are the aim. Avandy's guide records A*AA with A*A from two sciences.
Choose UCL Biomedical Sciences if
you want a broader biomedical degree. Avandy's guide records AAA with Biology and Chemistry required.
Entry rules
Chemistry and one more science or Mathematics
The A-level standard is AAA with Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics, and GCSE English Language and Mathematics at B or 6. The IB standard is 38 points with 18 in three higher level subjects including Chemistry and one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics, with none below 5. The page lists no admissions test or interview.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not UCL's.
Is Chemistry in your A levels?
It is required, unlike UCL Psychology's rule.
Do you like laboratory and computational work?
Both are central from Year 2 onward.
BSc or MSci?
The choice arrives at the end of Year 2 and depends on results.
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 Chemistry requirement and the BSc or MSci choice: last verified for 2027 entry, from a page UCL labels as a saved copy
These are the best guide to what to prepare. UCL has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and any admissions test for 2028 entry: awaiting publication
Check UCL's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics and read the Year 1 and Year 2 content.
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 and science mentoring; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the UCL Neuroscience entry requirements?
AAA at A level with Chemistry plus one from Biology, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics, or 38 IB points with 18 in three higher level subjects including Chemistry. This is UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
Is Chemistry required?
Yes, at A level and at higher level in the IB.
Can I do a Master's?
UCL says students can transfer to the four-year Neuroscience MSci at the end of Year 2, subject to meeting the requirements.
How is it different from Psychology?
Neuroscience studies the nervous system from molecules and cells to cognition and requires Chemistry; Avandy's UCL Psychology guide records a different subject rule.
Is there an admissions test?
The course page lists none. Check UCL's page for 2028 entry.
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 Neuroscience
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Chemistry and second science, their interest in the brain and whether neuroscience or psychology fits, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.