University College London Direct Enroll

More Information on University College London Direct Enroll

More information about UCL's study abroad program can be found here: Study Abroad at UCL

Academic Calendar

The UCL academic year begins in September and is divided into three terms.

Autumn (Fall) Term: mid-/late September to mid-December

Spring Term: mid-January to late March

Summer Term: late April to mid-June

Most of the teaching takes place in the first (Autumn/Fall) and second (Spring) terms, with the third (Summer) term reserved for revision (review) and examinations. Most study abroad students apply for one term, although it is possible to apply for the full year. Those applying for term entry only have the choice of attending for the Autumn (Fall) Term only, or the Spring and Summer Terms.

Some departments allow entry only for the full year, so you should check availability before applying.

For info about the UCL Summer School, click here.

You must meet the admissions standards outlined by UCL.

To be approved by MIT to study abroad, applicants should be:

In good academic standing
In good judicial standing

For Academic Year, Spring, or Fall terms applicants should ensure they are:

Up to date with the Communication Requirement
Up to date with HASS courses

Contact MISTI if you have questions about your particular situation.

Two-part application process:

Apply here for MISTI approval to study abroad. Apply before the UCL deadline for the term in which you plan to study abroad.
Apply directly to UCL by the stated deadline for the program/term you wish to study abroad.

UCL application requirements, instructions, and deadlines can be found here: How to Apply

Note that a crucial part of the UCL application is verifying the confirmation of your study abroad by your home institution (MIT). Be sure to be in contact with MISTI well ahead of the UCL application deadline to discuss this.

Study Options

You normally apply to one subject area and, once you arrive at UCL, you will be expected to take at least 50% of your modules (courses) within this area. You can choose the remainder from modules offered across the university, though be aware that prerequisites may apply, and spaces on certain modules may be limited.

You can also apply for joint admission to two subject areas, e.g. Economics and Mathematics - for joint admission you would be expected to take at least 50% of your modules in the first-named subject area and 25% in the second, with the remainder chosen, again, from across UCL.

Additionally, please note the exceptions to the subject area requirements listed here.

Subjects Offered

Review available subjects here: Subject Listings

If you have specific requirements, it is best to contact the Affiliate contact for your subject area to make an inquiry (such as questions about eligibility for graduate courses, for example). Contact details are provided for each subject in the link above.

Module Levels (Prerequisites)

Review prerequisites here: Module levels and credits

Consult the Subject Listings to verify that you have taken sufficient/equivalent prerequisite courses before studying at UCL.

Transfer Credit

Information on the transfer credit process at MIT can be found here.

Grades are released on UCL's online student records system by early August (or mid-February for those who studied at UCL in autumn term only). An e-transcript of your results will be sent to MIT within 4 weeks of your results being approved by the Examination Board.

Students will pay tuition and living costs to UCL. More information can be found here: Fees and expenses

Financial aid for year or semester programs:

Aid is portable. A few months before departure, SFS and MISTI will share with the students and the most up-to-date budget for the participation on the program based on an agreement with the host institution. Admitted students who receive financial aid should make an appointment with the financial aid representative to whom they are assigned to discuss the particulars; they should bring the budget received from MISTI to that meeting.

If you're going to study abroad for the full year, you'll be guaranteed a place in UCL accommodation as long as you have firmly accepted your offer to study at UCL and applied for accommodation by the deadline. Students going to UCL for less than a full year will normally be allocated housing, but this cannot be guaranteed.

Most of our student housing is located within walking distance from the main Bloomsbury campus. Most rooms are single study bedrooms, equipped with a bed, desk, chair, washbasin, bookcase, cupboard and Wi-Fi. The price of UCL allocated housing will vary depending on the location and facilities available; to get an idea of the different types of accommodation you can visit the UCL Student Accommodation website.

Learn more information about on-campus housing: Life at UCL

UK Visa

More information about the visa requirements can be found here: UK Visa Information

UK ETA

Starting January 8th 2025, US passport holders (and many other nations) will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation in order to enter the UK. It typically takes 3 business days to process (but be prepared in advance, because it occasionally takes longer).

Do not simply google “UK ETA” and click on the first sponsored link, as this will take you to third party services which will charge you an exorbitant and unnecessary fee to process. Rather, please visit this UK government website, download the UK ETA app on your smartphone, and follow the instructions. The cost is $13/£10.

Once approved, you will get an email confirming you have got an ETA. It will be linked to the passport you applied with. Your ETA lasts for 2 years. You can enter the UK as many times as you want during that time, up to 6 months stay.