UCAS L251, three years
UCL describes a three-year BSc combining politics with the study of international relations and data analysis.
Undergraduate · UCL Politics and International Relations
UCL Politics and International Relations: domestic and global, with data skills
UCL's Politics and International Relations BSc studies political challenges at home and abroad and pairs them with data analysis and research training. It asks for AAA, prefers an essay-based subject and requires none. The decision against LSE's equivalents is a matter of course structure and emphasis rather than entry.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What UCL asks for in Politics and International Relations
Taken from UCL's Politics and International Relations 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 an essay-based subject preferred
The A-level requirement is AAA, with an essay-based subject preferred but none required.
IB 18 points, essay-based subject preferred
18 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5; a higher level in an essay-based subject is preferred.
Domestic and global politics
UCL says students assess challenges both domestically and globally.
Data analysis and research skills
Students learn to analyse data and conduct research.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on UCL's Politics and International Relations BSc 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
Politics behind the headlines, with the methods to test it
UCL says students deepen their knowledge of the forces shaping today's world, assessing pressing challenges domestically and globally while learning to analyse data and conduct research, and engage with practitioners from the world of politics.
Is it the right degree?
UCL against LSE and the language degree
UCL's quantitative strand is part of the BSc label.
Choose UCL Politics and International Relations if
you want politics and international relations together with data analysis.
Compare LSE Politics and International Relations if
you want LSE's version. Avandy's LSE guide records its own rules.
Choose International Social and Political Studies if
you want a language and a year abroad. Avandy's UCL guide to it covers that.
Entry rules
AAA, with an essay-based subject preferred
A-level applicants need AAA, with an essay-based subject preferred and GCSE English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4. IB applicants need 18 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5, with an essay-based higher level preferred. 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 domestic and international politics together?
That is the combined scope.
Are you comfortable with data analysis?
UCL names it.
Do you have an essay-based subject?
One is preferred.
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 Politics and International Relations BSc require?
AAA at A level with an essay-based subject preferred, in UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
What is the IB requirement?
18 points in three higher level subjects, with a higher level in an essay-based subject preferred.
Do I need a particular A-level?
An essay-based subject is preferred; none is required.
How does it differ from LSE's equivalents?
Compare module lists and the data-analysis content; this guide records only UCL's wording.
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 Politics and International Relations
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their essay-based subjects, their interest in both domestic and global politics and how UCL compares with LSE, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.