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UCL (University College London) · England · London

Experience UCL

This is for school pupils — not for an adult. Year 12–13 (aged 16–18), UK state-school pupils. The record is kept for parents: if you have a child of this age, it could be their first step towards university. For yourself, see the full list.
What it gives
application support
No cash award — campus tour, application guidance, lunch voucher
Who it is for
School pupils — see the notice above
Level of study: Access to HE
The student finance condition
Open to applicants who do receive student finance
Having no access to student finance is not a condition here: people with recognised refugee status who already receive a student loan can apply.

How to apply

You do not need to wait for an offer — the scholarship application can run alongside admission.

  1. Register interest via the Qualtrics sign-up link on the Experience UCL page
  2. Complete the application form together with a parent/carer (they must fill in some sections)
  3. Get a teacher to verify you meet the eligibility criteria
  4. State any support/accessibility needs on the form
  5. Wait for outcome — places allocated by points, highest-scoring applicants offered a spot first

What to prepare

  • Teacher reference confirming eligibility criteria are met
  • Parent/carer completion of parts of the form

How they select

application form · references

There is no interview — the decision is made on documents. On most routes there are no subject entrance exams either: the main hurdle on the way into university is proving your level of English. The exceptions are medicine, dentistry and creative courses, where tests and portfolios do appear.

Dates

Can you apply now · as of 6 September 2026
Opens: September 2026
Where the date comes from: “next series expected around Sept 2026»
Deadline
2025/26 series closed (deadline was 29 Oct 2025); next series expected around Sept 2026
When applications open
2025/26 series closed 29 Oct 2025; events ran Nov 2025–Jan 2026; next series expected around Sept 2026
How many places
limited, number not specified
For how many years
Given for one year. For the next year you have to apply again or find other support.

Ask before you apply

We do not fill in the gaps for the institution. Here is what its own page leaves unclear — these are normal questions, everyone asks them.

  • What happens to the payments if I am granted refugee status mid-year?

Who to write to: wp.pre16@ucl.ac.uk

If this scheme is not for you

About the institution

UCL's Experience UCL runs on the main UCL Bloomsbury campus in central London (Gower Street, WC1E 6BT). No cash award — a campus tour, application guidance and lunch voucher. This page does not say who assesses fee status.

Mostly school leavers. Only 11.2% of students are over 30. If you are over 35, look at other universities on the list — there are more adults there.

In detail about UCL (University College London): all schemes, student ages, study modes →

Source

Every fact on this page we opened and read on the institution's own site, rather than taking it from an aggregator. Checked on: 22 August 2026.

The scheme page on the institution's site →

For Year 12-13 UK state-school students only. Forced-migration background is one of several eligibility routes (also disability, young carer, estrangement, care experience), not the sole criterion.