皇家华人

Advice and signposting for prospective students from Japan

Over 160 years of history: Ch艒sh奴 and Satsuma clan students

Our first Japanese students were听five young samurai of the Ch艒sh奴 clan. They were smuggled out of the country because听travel abroad was forbidden during the Edo period. They听enrolled in 1863 and听were placed into the care of Professor Alexander Williamson (1824鈥�1904), who also taught analytical chemistry to four of them.

At the time, 皇家华人as the only university in the UK to accept students irrespective of race or religion. It艒 Hirobumi eventually became Japan's first Prime Minister, in 1885. He established the cabinet system of government in Japan and drafted the constitution of 1890. The other students made similarly significant contributions to the transformation of Japan:听in government, finance, the railways, and education.

Two years after the Ch艒sh奴 group's arrival, 19 young samurai from the Satsuma clan followed.听14 enrolled at 皇家华人. They also went on to hold major positions in Japanese public and commercial life. Mori Arinori, for example, became Japan's first minister of education.听Machida Hisanari became the first听director of听the Tokyo National Museum.

Today, we have over 250 students from Japan on a wide range of programmes, in addition to research collaboration with Japanese universities and other institutions. We also have听an active and an .

Student life

UCL鈥揓apan Youth Challenge

The is an annual summer school programme established in 2015.听Each summer, pre-university students from听UK sixth form colleges and Japanese high schools enjoy cultural interaction through various educational activities and events held at听UCL听and the听.

Participants will:

• Face and challenge social issues in a global sense
• Experience lectures delivered by the world鈥檚 leading academics
• Identify a path to the world鈥檚 top universities
• Interact and exchange ideas
• Establish a positive attitude and become independent
• Gain confidence in using the English language.

More information, including dates and an application form, can be found on the .

Bachelor's degrees

Introduction

Most bachelor's degrees in the UK are听three years in duration (e.g. BA, BSc, BEng, LLB).

For some subjects UCL also offers four-year programmes. This is usually a bachelor's degree with an integrated master's (e.g. MSci, MEng) or a year abroad.

We offer very few programmes with a placement year听for three main听reasons. Firstly, because programmes with a single or limited amount of fixed (i.e. guaranteed) placement options are听unlikely to be the best fit for all students, and your preferences may change after studying the subject at university level for two years. Secondly, because you听may subsequently decide to work in a field that is not among the available听placement options. Thirdly, because the summer vacation between each year of study is a long one, from June until October, and our extensive careers support and links to industry will help you find summer placements and vacation schemes that align with your ambitions.听听

A UK degree is comprised of modules, which are courses on a specific topic. Each module has its own lectures, classes, tutorials, labs, and so on. Your degree programme will specify a set of听compulsory and optional modules over its duration. Our size, history, and multidisciplinary structure means that we can听offer a uniquely听wide selection.

Application process

All UK bachelor's degree applications are made via , a centralised application portal. It allows you to apply to up to five programmes at UK universities, but you can submit only one personal statement.听It also requires final or predicted听grades and a teacher's reference.

If you are successful and yet to complete your final exams, you will receive a conditional offer. This will become unconditional once we have received your听results.

A听small number of programmes require additional documents,听tests, or a portfolio. This can change year-to-year and will be indicated on the听.

Entry requirements

Our grade requirements are high, but UCAS gives you five programme options, so if your predicted grades are in line with the minimum, we encourage you to apply.

Grade and subject requirements for A Levels and IB Diploma are listed on each .听Equivalent qualifications can be viewed by selecting a country in the same section.

The Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate听from Japan is not accepted听as an entrance qualification. In general, applicants require one of the following:

• An accepted international school leaving qualification, e.g. A Levels, IB Diploma, French Baccalaur茅at, AP.
  • If you have US qualifications such as APs and ACTs, you should choose USA in our prospectus to see the exact entry requirements for that programme; for the French Baccalaur茅at choose France, etc.
• A UK university-based foundation course accepted by UCL, e.g.听our .
• Completion of one year听of a bachelor's degree (gakushi) at a recognised听university听with (equivalent to 2:1 upper-second class UK grades):
  • S to F听Mark Scheme
    • Majority of credits听achieved at grade A or above
  • A+ to F Mark Scheme
    • Majority of credits听achieved at grade A or above.
  • A to F Mark Scheme
    • Majority of credits听achieved at grade B听or above.
  • A to D Mark Scheme
    • Majority of credits听achieved at grade A or above.
  • GPA
    • 3.5/4.0.

Deadlines

• If applicable, your school's internal deadline should take precedence
• Medicine MBBS BSc or applications that include programmes at Oxford or听Cambridge: 15 October (18:00 GMT)
• All other programmes for equal consideration: 25听January 2023 (always late January, changes annually)

Post-deadline vacancies, Adjustment and Clearing

If a programme has places after the deadline, it will remain listed on UCAS. This typically applies to very听few programmes at 皇家华人.

UCAS Adjustment听gives you the chance to apply for open programmes in addition to the ones on your original application if you have outperformed your offer requirements. UCAS Clearing is similar, but for when you have missed the offer requirements for your firm (i.e. first preference) and insurance programme choices.

The vast majority of UCL programmes will not open for applications via Adjustment or Clearing. More听information will be published on our in the spring.

Tips

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Your听personal statement is the most important part of your application.
  • Your听grade requirements听are just a minimum threshold.
  • You will not be able to edit it after submitting your application.
  • You can only submit one personal statement, so it should not refer to the content that is unique to a single programme.听
    • If a programme is unusual,听you may be able to submit an additional personal statement or similar essay to do your application justice. This will be specified in its prospectus entry on the university website.
• A personal statement for UK universities is different from a USA college essay. We want you to have a fulfilling student life, and our location, clubs, and societies will help, but for the personal statement we are primarily concerned with how you have engaged with your academic subject(s).听
  • You should devote at least 75% of your personal statement to your academic area(s) of interest, demonstrating听enthusiasm听and development with examples.
  • The remaining portion should be about extra-curricular activities not related to your academic field. In general, it is best to use听examples that demonstrate desirable qualities for your field or in general, as leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and听self-motivation.
• A UCL degree is research-based, and the curriculum changes every year 鈥� you should be aware of and enthused by this.
• Start undertaking experiences and learning about your field early. You might not write about all these experiences, but they will inform your decisions and future career.
• Make reflective notes as you undertake extra-curricular experiences and learning.
• Where you undertake听your experience听is unimportant, as is its duration. We are concerned with what you learned and how it developed your interest in the subject.
• Leave time to write multiple drafts if possible, and听to review thoroughly.

Further advice is available from .

CHOOSING PROGRAMMES AND UNIVERSITIES

• Does the university and department have a good听international reputation?
• Is the location a good fit for you?听Central London听is convenient for your career 鈥� insight events, internships, assessment days, and interviews are likely to take place in London for any large company. It is also听great for food, culture, and sports. But it is not quiet or pastoral.
• Consider听the content听of programmes, especially the module options after your first year.听
  • Our location, size, and multidisciplinary structure means that we can听offer a uniquely听wide selection.
• Look at the career destinations of previous graduates of the programme, either in the prospectus or on the departmental website.
• Are there other, less competitive programmes that offer a route into the same career? You do not need a LLB to become a solicitor or barrister, for example.
  • Check if we offer other programmes in the subject area. A slightly different programme or combination may be a better fit, and less competitive.
• Talk to staff and students directly: at open days, offer holder days, or .

Master's degrees

We offer hundreds of across the academic spectrum, based on cutting-edge research. Almost all are one year in duration and begin in September.听

Entry requirements

Our master's degrees require either an upper or lower second-class bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognised university. Some programmes may be flexible in this regard if you have several years of relevant work experience.

Applicants already in possession of a master's degree or doctorate are eligible for all programmes.

Subject background, experience, and additional requirements, such as a portfolio, will be indicated on the programme page in the prospectus.听

Lower second-class (2:2) equivalent

听

Mark scheme as used by your university	Grade requirements
S to F	At least 50% of credits achieved at grade B or above
A+ to F	At least 50% of credits achieved at grade B or above
A+ to F (Kyoto University only)	At least 45% of credits achieved at grade B or above
A to F	At least 50% of credits achieved at grade C or above
A to D	At least 50% of credits achieved at grade B or above
CGPA	3.0/4.0

Upper second-class (2:1) equivalent

听

Mark scheme as used by your university	Grade requirements
S to F	At least 50% of credits achieved at grade A or above
A+ to F	At least 50% of credits achieved at grade A or above
A+ to F (Kyoto University only)	At least 45% of credits achieved at grade A or above
A to F	At least 50% of credits achieved at grade B or above
A to D	At least 50% of credits achieved at grade A or above
CGPA	3/5/4.0

Application process

You can apply directly from the programme page in the prospectus.

We normally require a personal statement, details of 1鈥�2 referees, and your transcript(s). Many applicants also include a CV.

A small number of programmes require additional documents, tests, or a portfolio. This will be indicated on the programme page in the prospectus.

Deadlines

The deadline for applications to most programmes is no earlier than late March. This will be indicated on the programme page in the prospectus.

The deadline for UCL accommodation for graduate students is 30 June.

Funding deadlines may be earlier than degree application deadlines 鈥� you should check as early as possible, ideally in September or October.

Tips

Are you motivated?

• Why are you applying for a programme in this field? Tell us about how you became interested.
  • It may seem obvious, e.g. if it鈥檚 in the same field as your bachelor鈥檚 degree, but the content will not be the same, or the level. Tell us why you want to continue if this is the case.
• Are you a member of any relevant professional bodies, societies, or networks?
• Know the content of the programme. Even programmes with the same title can vary across different universities.
• Talk to staff and students directly: on open days, offer holder days, or one-to-one appointments.

Are you choosing the right programme for your future ambitions?

• Know the content of the programme. Even programmes with the same name can vary across different universities.
• Familiarise yourself with departmental research and areas of expertise.
• How will you apply your learning? What do you plan to do afterwards?

After you have applied

• Tell听your referee(s) to expect an email from UCL.
• Reviewing your application thoroughly takes time 鈥� usually 1鈥�2 months, but sometimes longer.听

Teacher training

The is a global leader in teacher education and听has been rated as the for eight years in a row.

Our 听are rated Outstanding by across all subjects and phases. IOE teacher-educators are actively engaged in innovative education research, with many of them writing textbooks on every aspect of teaching.

We offer programmes听to prepare you for each stage of teaching:

You can apply directly from the .

PhD and research programmes

Start a dialogue

You must begin by establishing a dialogue with a prospective supervisor. A听speculative application without prior communication will be unsuccessful, regardless of your funding.

Start听by sending an informal research enquiry either to an individual academic, or to the departmental contact. The process varies by department 鈥� get in touch听if you are unsure.听You can find a list of and on our .

We receive many research enquiries, and they are reviewed alongside teaching and other day-to-day responsibilities. It is important to explore your prospective supervisor鈥檚 interests thoroughly before you contact them, and to communicate clearly and concisely.

Academics at 皇家华人 undertake a lot of interdisciplinary research 鈥� you should consider various听departments, academics, and research groups, not just the most obvious.

On our听 you can search for academics and centres of research by keyword and filter the results.

You can also search , our online research repository. If you identify a paper that interests you, it is possible that one of the authors could be a suitable supervisor.听

Your email should include:

• Your qualifications (with institution, overall grade/classification, and year of graduation).
• A summary of your research experience.
• A summary of any published research.
• How you plan to fund your studies, or if you need advice in this area.

Research proposal

Research proposals are common in the arts and social sciences, but not usually required in STEM, where research is usually undertaken in groups. If applicable, you should clearly describe the topic, aims,听objectives, and methodology as concisely as possible.听In the first instance it should be around 500 words.

If a prospective supervisor is interested, you can refine and develop your initial outline to produce a final proposal.

A proposal should听include:

• A clear and descriptive working title.
• Some background, rationale, and any relevant issues.
• Your aims and objectives.
• A description of your theoretical framework and methodological approach.
• Sources or data听you plan to use.
• What valuable and useful knowledge will come out of your research.

Application

An application is the final stage of the process and should only be submitted when requested, or when you have agreed on a research project with your supervisor.

Decision

You will be able to track the progress of your application via the 鈥� details will be sent to you when your application has been received.

English language requirements

You do not need evidence of your English language proficiency听at the time of your application 鈥� it can be submitted later.

The required level of English varies and will be listed on each programme page: Standard, Good, or Advanced.

Types of evidence,听accepted tests, and grade requirements for each level are listed on our English language requirements pages.

If your application is successful and you did not include evidence of your English language proficiency, you will receive a conditional offer.

You will听need to prove that you have the required level of English for your programme before you can enrol (and your offer is made unconditional, allowing you to apply for a visa). If this applies to you, we recommend booking a recognised听English test by July, to allow time for us to process your results and for you to subsequently apply for a visa.

Pre-master's,听pre-sessional, and English language support

Our听 is a preparatory course for international students who are aiming to study for a graduate听degree at 皇家华人 or elsewhere in the UK. It is a stimulating and academically challenging course which provides you with the levels of English language and academic skills required to succeed at graduate level.

Our are an intensive and academically challenging option normally intended for international students who are planning to study a graduate degree at 皇家华人, but do not meet the English language requirement of their conditional offer.

We also offer a wide range of free听. You can focus on areas that you seek to develop, ranging from written academic English to informal conversation.

Careers and alumni

We take your future ambitions seriously and听provide you with the support you need to听realise your full potential.

Our graduates are听in-demand, and more than 800 employers听attend our careers events every year.听UCL is ranked among the top 20 universities worldwide for graduate employability in the .听

Every week, more than 20,000 jobs,听internships and work experience听opportunities are promoted on the听myUCLCareers portal. Through the UCL听Talent Bank, we can connect you directly to听small-to-medium-sized employers who are actively recruiting UCL graduates.听Our Japan Society also听runs careers events.

Our specialist careers consultants offer advice tailored to your field of study and intended industry. They can support听you with every aspect of applications. We also run employer-led coaching in听areas such as leadership, negotiation, and interview skills; workshops and advice听sessions to help with your applications; and dedicated internship programmes.听Many of our services are available for three years after you leave.

We have an alumni community of more than 350,000 and our tool will help you network and make new connections. This听can be especially useful if you are听new to the industry or country.

runs a variety of events for our alumni in Japan.

Accommodation

UCL accommodation

We offer accommodation to both and postgraduates听in our halls of residence (known as dormitories or hostels in some countries) and shared houses.

UCL accommodation is 听for undergraduate听students if you apply by the 10 June deadline.

Postgraduate students are accommodation, but new international students are proritised.听Places are allocated in the order applications are received, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.听

The process for allocating accommodation is currently under review and may change.听

We have single rooms, shared rooms, and studio apartments. Some are , with a restaurant inside the building, and听others are self-catered, with access to a kitchen. Some are en-suite, while others have听a shared bathroom.

The location varies.听Some are on campus, while others are a short walk away.

Accommodation is assigned based on your听preferences 鈥� you are asked to听rank variables pertaining to room type.

You may find our interactive Halls Map useful.

Families

We have a limited amount of .听

The Students' Union also maintains a page on .

For larger residences you should look to听the private sector.

Deadlines

• Undergraduate and non-degree听students: 10 June
• Postgraduate students: 30 June

Privately managed accommodation

Private halls of residence

London has a growing number of options.听They typically operate in the same way as our halls of residence, but on a for-profit basis.

You may find our interactive Halls Map useful.

Private landlords

London has a large, diverse, and fast-moving private accommodation market. Most rental properties are advertised no earlier than one听month before they are available. We recommend viewing properties in person before paying any deposits or signing a contract. Students often travel to London a little earlier听to undertake viewings.听

You may find our interactive Rents Map useful.

UCL can act as your .听

The website has extensive , including a contract checking service,听and .

Sharing

Most students share an apartment听or house. Common ways of finding people to share with include offer holder groups on various platforms, social media, mutual acquaintances, and via听.

Childcare

In general, it is best to find childcare or a school that is conveniently located for your residence, as opposed to one that is close to UCL.

Childcare is available from the UCL Day Nursery on campus, or 听for听private nurseries, day-care, or childminders.

For primary and secondary education,听.听If your children are aged between 5 and 16 and in the UK as your dependants, they can attend state primary and secondary schools for free. However, schools may refuse places for children if they consider their stay in the UK to be too short. There are also private/prep school options across London.

Travel

Public transport

Our main campus in Bloomsbury is conveniently located for most of London because of its proximity to stations serving most London Underground (metro) lines, and nearby bus stops. This means that journeys can be deceptively short, relative to the actual distance.听

You may find our interactive Halls Map and听Rents Map useful.

Cycling

Travelling to UCL on a privately owned or hired bicycle is easy.听

听and 听should give you cycle-friendly routes and journey times.

Showers and storage are widely available on campus.

Airports

UCL and听central London are easily accessible by public transport and private hire vehicles from and . We do not offer a pick-up service.

Uber, Bolt, and various other ride-hailing apps听operate听in London, and you will be able to start your journey using airport Wi-Fi. The app will advise you about where to wait in each terminal.

On weekdays and at times of high traffic, it may be听quicker to take听the to Paddington station, before taking a taxi听to your destination. The is the pre-booked听section of the taxi rank.

Funding and scholarships

All scholarships administered by or linked to UCL can be found via听our scholarships finder.听

The tool is not exhaustive, and many students receive funding from non-partner external sources, such as employers, private and corporate foundations,听government departments, and NGOs. A few examples are listed below.

For partnership enquiries, contact Aameer Patel听(a.x.patel@ucl.ac.uk).

Visits and events

We run regular university and department level events throughout the year, virtually and in person. If you have not yet applied, you can register your interest to hear about events relevant to your chosen field(s) of study.

You can also take a听campus tour if听you visit London.

Upcoming public exhibitions and other events we are attending in Japan will be displayed below.

Visas and immigration

Timeframe

A visa application usually takes 3鈥�4 weeks. You normally begin the process on the ,听before attending an appointment for biometrics and other checks at a .

If you have a conditional offer, you should allow for an extra 2鈥�3 weeks, to allow听us to process your documents and issue you with a CAS number.听

CAS

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number is a unique 14-digit reference given to you by UCL,听as your visa sponsor.听It is required for your student visa application.听

You do not need to request a CAS. If you have firmly accepted a conditional or unconditional offer, UCL听will email you around four months before the start date of your programme to confirm your details.听Once your offer is unconditional and firmly accepted, and your details are confirmed, 皇家华人ill aim to issue your CAS within 5鈥�10 working days, starting in July (i.e. no earlier than three months before your programme's start date).

CAS numbers are generated by the following offices:

• Undergraduate Students:听Admissions Office;听Faculty of Laws;听the Bartlett, Faculty of the Built Environment
• Graduate Students:听Admissions Office
• Affiliate Students:听Admissions Office

Part-time student visa

UCL does not support part-time student visas. This is primarily because this visa does not allow you to bring dependants, nor does it allow you to work in the UK.

Help and advice

Only staff from our dedicated team are qualified to advise you on visa and immigration matters.

• If you have already applied: use askUCL
• If you have not applied: use听this form

Contacts

• Programme-specific questions, e.g., module options: contact the people listed on the prospectus page
• Application updates:
  • askUCL
  • Postgraduate Admissions contact form
  • Teacher Training contact form
  • +44 (0)20 8059 0939
• CAS and visa enquiries:
  • Use askUCL if you have already applied
  • Use听this form听if you have not
• General questions, e.g., about life at 皇家华人 and in London,听the student experience, application guidance:听Aameer Patel听(a.x.patel@ucl.ac.uk)
• Partnerships: Aameer Patel (a.x.patel@ucl.ac.uk)

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Images

Top left: The Ch艒sh奴 Five, courtesy of and the .
Top centre: Monument to the first Japanese students at 皇家华人, in our Japanese Garden.
Top right:听Fragments of Memory听by Bouke de Vries听in our Japanese Garden.听The bronze sculpture's form is drawn from an original fractured 17th century Arita soy bottle, reflecting on the political, geographical and social fragmentation of Japan's later history, as well as offering echoes of contemporary global turbulence. The outline of Japan's islands is traced in the fracture lines of the piece.

Updated: September 2024