Applying to UCL

Q: What’s the deadline for applications for next academic year?

A: This information is on the Graduate Prospectus website for each taught postgraduate programme and is the same for all of them – usually this is the first Friday in August but please check the website for the exact date: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate

 

Q: What degree qualifications do I need? / My first degree subject isn’t listed in your examples, can I still apply?

A: This obviously depends which programme you are applying for.

For the MSc Crime Science & MSc Countering Organised Crime and Terrorism (and therefore the PG Diplomas in both subjects and also the PG Certificate in Security and Crime Science), we require at least a second class degree (minimum of 2:2) and most subjects are acceptable.  However the core modules contain a lot of quantitative content (particularly statistics) and a familiarity with these is very helpful. But if your first degree is in a different subject area, this doesn’t automatically disqualify you from applying.

For the MSc Crime and Forensic Science, we require a first degree (minimum 2:1) in a scientific subject. This is reasonably broad and we do include subjects like geography and archaeology, If you’re not sure (or if you have a degree in an arts/humanities/social sciences subject but you have good science A-levels), please email us for further advice.

For the SECReT programme we require a minimum upper second class degree (minimum 2:1) in a subject area grounded in a science based subject widely defined (e.g. computer science, chemistry, engineering, information and communications technologies, materials, mathematical sciences, physics and some life and social sciences). Candidates with a good Masters degree (ie. distinction) are strongly encouraged to apply. 

 For the three year PhD in Security and Crime Science we require at lease an upper second class degree (minimum 2:1) and evidence of graduate research experience (for example a good Masters degree in a relevant subject or relevant research experience in your field of interest).


Q: I don’t have at least a second class degree but I have 5+ years professional experience as a police officer (or other relevant profession) – can I apply for an MSc with you?

A: Yes, we are willing to accept professional experience in lieu of academic qualifications as long as you have at least 5 years’ worth, and providing that the job is directly relevant to the programme of study.  This is true for all of our MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert programmes and there is more information on the Graduate Prospectus website: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate

 

Q: Is my international degree qualification equivalent to a UK 2:1/2:2 Bachelor's degree?

A: This is dealt with by UCL Admissions deals so please contact them directly at: admissions@ucl.ac.uk

 

Q: What documents do I need to upload to my application? / The next application page isn’t loading/ I can’t create an online application account it keeps telling me my password is incorrect/etc.?

A: For all technical queries relating to the physical process of applying online, you will need to contact UCL Admissions (020 7679 7742/7381 admissions@ucl.ac.uk) as we only deal with admissions once they have been processed centrally and are electronically sent over to us for consideration.

If you are applying for the PhD in Security and Crime Science or the SECReT programme, you will apply through the PRISM application system, links to which are on our website. Any technical difficulties should be raised here http://uclprism.freshdesk.com/support/home 

 

Q: When does the MSc in … start and finish?

A: All MSc programmes start in September. Full-time programmes finish the following September, and modular flexible programmes can be completed over up to 5 years (but will ultimately finish in September of your final year).

The SECReT programme also starts in September and is four years in total. This cannot be taken part time.

The PhD in Security and Crime Science commences in September or January.

 

Q: How do I apply for a study visa?

A: Overseas students need an unconditional offer from UCL before you can apply for a study visa. These are then dealt with by UCL Admissions so please email them at: admissions@ucl.ac.uk

 

Q: Do I still have to pay the application fee (£25 for online applications) if I don’t get an offer of a place on the course, or will it be refunded if I am unsuccessful?

A: The application fee is mandatory for all applications and sadly we are not able to refund this fee if you are unsuccessful.

 

Q: I have a degree in … from … university – will I be offered a place?

A: We can’t possibly tell you what your chances are of being offered a place based solely on a university you have previously attended- you will need to apply in order to find out, ensuring you meet the specific entry requirements for each course.

 

Q: What are the English language requirements?

A: Please see the relevant page on the Graduate Prospectus: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/life/international

We as a department ask for a higher level on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test than other departments at UCL and it specifies this on the Graduate Prospectus. We ask for applicants to achieve an overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the subtests (categorised as a 'Good' level of English). If applicants do not achieve this then it is unlikely that they will be made an unconditional offer, but we can refer these matters to the programme convenor who is able to advise on the decision.

 

Q: Can I apply for one or more of your programmes or will this jeopardise my chances of being offered a place?

A: Yes you may apply for a place on several programmes and no this won’t jeopardise your chances at all.  UCL is able to offer you places on more than one programme as long as you meet the entry requirements for each specific course.

 

Q: I can't take up my offer of a place this year - can I defer to next year?

A: The answer to this is generally yes - although anyone with an offer who wishes to defer needs to contact UCL Admissions to formally request this- please email them at: admissions@ucl.ac.uk

 

Q: How many days a week do I need to be in?

A: The full time course is five days a week although lectures and tutorials are mostly timetabled towards the end of the week. If you are a part time student see the answer below.

 

Q: I want to study for the MSc/PG Dip CS/COCT on a modular flexible basis - how many contact hours would there be?

A: This depends over how many years you intend to complete the programme. We advise modular/ flexible students (who are generally working nearly full-time) to take between 3 and 5 years for completion. If you are taking an MSc course then you must take 8 taught modules in total, plus the dissertation.

Each module comprises a minimum of 20 hours of contact time (in the form of lectures/seminars) spread over the 10 weeks of term. There are two teaching terms (autumn and spring). So if you take one module per term you would have 10 x two-hour lectures over the term. In addition you are obviously expected to undertake reading/independent study and complete the module assessments, which in some cases will be an essay and in other cases will be an exam.

All of the lectures delivered by lecturers in our department take place on Thursdays and Fridays, which means it should be possible for modular/ flexible students to only attend lectures one day per week. However it really does depend on which optional modules you choose to take as external departments offer options on the Countering organised Crime and Terrorism programme and these are usually on different days.  It is best to check with the relevant programme convenor.


Q: I can't find a supervisor for my PhD / the SECReT application. What should I do?

A: We are not able to advise you on suitable supervisors or provide contact details. You need to list two supervisors on your application or it will be rejected outright. You will need to contact your chosen supervisors beforehand in order to secure their support, again this is your responsibility and we are not able to assist with this. Please refer to the UCL department webpages relevant to your research area and to the research section of the SECReT website https://www.ucl.ac.uk/secret/res

 

Financial matters

Q: Is there any funding available for these courses?

A: Information on departmental bursary scholarships for MSc programmes can be found on our departmental website https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scs/degree-programmes/postgraduate/scholarships

A link to funding information  for the SECReT programme will be listed here if and when there is funding available: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/secret/students

The UCL website also includes information on other sources of postgraduate funding: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/scholarships

The only other alternative open to most applicants is a Career Development Loan.  You can find out about this here: https://www.gov.uk/career-development-loans/overview

 

Q: I am applying for a Career Development Loan, what is UCL's Learning Provider Registration number?

A: This can be found here: https://www.ukrlp.co.uk/

 

Other

Q: What is the academic level of the PG diploma on the framework of higher education qualifications?

A: It is a Level 7 for Post Graduate courses; MSc/Diploma/Certificate are all the same level in this system. A description of this can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualifications_and_Credit_Framework

 

Q: I need to find accommodation in London, is there a special hall of residence for Security & Crime Science students?

A: No there isn’t any specific accommodation for our students but you can find out about all UCL student accommodation on the UCL website: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/new-students/accommodation