University College London (UCL) for Kenyan Students
QS #9 ranked University College London (UCL) (Russell Group) is located in London, United Kingdom. Kenyan students require a Foundation Year before starting an undergraduate programme. Undergraduate tuition is £32,000–£57,300/year, with a minimum IELTS of 6.5. For Masters entry, a minimum GPA of 3/4 (2:1) and IELTS 7 is required, with tuition from £33,000–£50,000/year. 4 scholarships are tracked for Kenyan students, including UCL Global Master's Scholarship and Chevening Scholarship.
Entry Requirements by Level
Academic Requirements
Foundation Year required via UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate (UPC) — UCL's own centre (£28,000/year). KCSE accepted as O-level equivalent. Medicine/Dentistry deadline mid-October via UCAS. IELTS shown is UCL Level 1 (minimum) — many popular courses require Level 2 (7.0/6.5) or higher. UPC architecture stream £29,500. Fees shown are 2026/27.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: £32,000–£57,300. Application deadline: Mid-January (UCAS equal consideration).
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3/4 (2:1 UK equivalent). Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required. IELTS shown is UCL Level 2 (most common PG requirement); some programmes accept Level 1 (6.5/6.0). Fees shown are typical 2026/27 range for taught masters.
English Language
IELTS: 7+ overall, 6.5+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: £33,000–£50,000. Application deadline: Late June for visa-requiring applicants; popular programmes close much earlier. Decision time: 4–10 weeks.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3/4 (2:1 minimum; Masters usually expected). Master's degree required (or Bachelor's with First Class Honours for some programmes). Fully funded positions available. Research proposal and supervisor contact required before applying.
Specific Requirements
Research proposal required. Identify and contact a potential supervisor before applying. References from two academic supervisors.
Deadline
Early January for funded positions (UCL-RES)
Documents Required
Available Scholarships
UCL Global Master's Scholarship
by University College London · Masters
Learn more →Chevening Scholarship
by UK Government (FCDO) · Masters
Learn more →Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission + UCL · Masters
Learn more →UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship
by University College London · Undergraduate
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Does UCL accept KCSE?
No — UCL does not accept KCSE for direct undergraduate entry. Kenyan students have two main routes: UCL's own Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate (UPC) foundation year (£28,000, requires B+ overall and B+ in relevant KCSE subjects), or completing 2 years of a bachelor's degree at a recognised Kenyan university with an Upper Second average first.
Can Kenyan students apply to UCL Masters directly?
Yes. UCL accepts Kenyan bachelor's degrees directly for taught masters — you need Upper Second Class Honours, which Kenyan universities award in the same format as the UK, so no conversion is needed. Some competitive departments ask for higher. IELTS is typically 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component.
What scholarships can Kenyan students get at UCL?
Kenya was not on UCL's GREAT Scholarships list for 2026 (the country list changes annually — check for your cycle). Kenyan students are eligible for Chevening (fully funded), the UCL Global Master's Scholarship (£15,000, up to 85 awards), Commonwealth Shared Scholarships on 7 UCL programmes, and the Global Undergraduate Scholarship for UG applicants with financial need.
How much does it cost to study at UCL as a Kenyan student?
For 2026/27, undergraduate international fees range from about £32,000 to £57,300 (Medicine) per year, and taught masters £33,000–£50,000. London living costs add roughly £1,600–£2,200/month. The UK student visa requires proof of £1,334/month maintenance for London on top of tuition.
Tips for Applying to UCL
UCL is a top-10 world university in the heart of London and one of the most selective options on this site. KCSE alone won't get you into undergraduate study — plan for the UPC foundation year (£28,000) or two years of university in Kenya first. The Masters route is more straightforward: Kenyan honours degrees map directly onto UK classifications, so a solid Upper Second from a recognised Kenyan university makes you a genuine candidate, and the scholarship options are among the best in the UK.
Official source: University College London (UCL) ↗Plan Your United Kingdom Student Visa
Check visa requirements, documents and costs for Kenyan passport holders applying to United Kingdom.
Cost of Living in London
Shared private rental from £650; UCL halls ~£320/week self-catered
Student Travelcard zones 1–2 ~£120/month; Bloomsbury campus is walkable from many areas
Usually included in university halls