University College London vs University of St Andrews

University College London (UCL) and University of St Andrews are two public universities in UK. Where UCL is the third oldest university in England, University of St Andrews is the oldest of the four ancient universities in Scotland. A few of the parameters below might help students choose between the two universities for their higher studies in UK.

Overview Comparison
University College LondonUniversity of St Andrews
Collegedunia Score7.7 Out of 105.7 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 9 QS World University 2024
# 22 Times Higher Education 2024
# 8 QS World University 2023
# 95 QS World University 2024
# 193 Times Higher Education 2024
# 96 QS World University 2023
Subject Strength# 45 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024
# 9 for Medicine by QS World University 2023
# 12 for Law by Times Higher Education 2024
# 401 for Engineering by QS World University 2023
# 201 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2023
# 201 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021
ProgramsUG Programs -78
PG Programs -196
Doctorate Programs -10
UG Programs -68
PG Programs -114
Acceptance Rate63.0 %8.4 %
Exam ScoreGMAT - 600
GRE updated - 318
IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 62
TOEFL - 92
GMAT - 590
GRE updated - 294
IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 60
TOEFL - 92
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   33977
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  32100
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 34205 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   35642
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  28925
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 40559 Per Year
placement (average package)

Graduate employability rank: #22, 
LLM: $95,000-99,000;
Masters in Finance: $90,000-96,000


95.2% St Andrews students are employed; Graduate Employability Rankings #201-250; Highest paid degrees- Masters (112,000 USD); Master of Arts (93,000 USD); Masters in Finance (73,000 USD); Masters in Management (60,000 USD); Masters in Science (57,000 USD); Bachelor of Arts (50,000 USD)


application requirements

applications must be made through UCAS. Personal statement and LORs are an important part of both UG and PG applications. 

Academic transcripts; Personal Statement; Referee’s Report; Supplementary Application Form; Resume; 2 LORs; Evidence of English Language Proficiency; Additional Documents (Research Proposal, portfolio, etc.)

General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity College LondonUniversity of St Andrews
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1826
1410
Student:Faculty Ratio10:1
13:1
Male:Female57% Male, 43% Female42% Male, 58% Female
Location Facts

UCL’s main campus is located in Bloomsbury around Queen Square, the university is considered to be placed perfectly to foster enterprise and business partnerships. It is surrounded by great museums, archives, libraries, and professional bodies.


located in the town of St Andrews on the east coast of Fife, Scotland; Teaching facilities split into- United College (16 academic buildings), St Mary's (11 academic buildings) and the North Haugh (9 academic buildings).


Library

17 libraries and learning spaces. The main library observed a recent addition of 1.5 million books and 30 databases even during COVID-times. Except for the main library, UCL libraries are mostly dedicated to one specific subject area.  


most extensive research libraries in UK; over 1 million volumes; 210,000 printed books in special collections; manuscript and 300,000+ images in photographic collections


Campus Life

Various shops on-campus offer computer supplies, clothing, art material, stationery, and other essentials. It has a theatre (Bloomsbury), over 300 student union-run clubs and societies, dance and music clubs, opera house, and three museums. There are various fitness activities and sports teams.


180 student societies; 50 sports clubs; 100 sports teams; 2 University Theatres- Barron Theatre & Byre Theatre; 3 University Museums- Wardlaw Museum, Bell Pettigrew Museum, & Collections Centre; Cafes; Music Centre; Sports Centre; University shop; St Salvator's Chapel; St Leonard's Chapel


Hostel#Single Standard Room - $16224
#Single En-suite Room - $17981
#Shared En-suite Room - $10951
#Single En-suite Room - $12223
#Shared Standard Room - $8274
#Single Standard Room - $9111
Famous Alumni

Alexander Graham Bell, Christopher Nolan (filmmaker), Chris Martin (singer), Francis Crick (British Biologist), Ricky Gervais (Comedian), Derek Jarman (film director), John Stuart Mill (British Philosopher), Robert Browning (poet), Antony Gormley (sculptor), Mahatma Gandhi


50,000+ alumni; several mathematicians, philosophers, politicians, scientists; 6 Nobel Laureates; Prince Williams (Duke of Cambridge); Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge); Chris Hoy (Commonwealth cycling medallist); Alex Younger (Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service); Alex Salmond (First minister of Scotland); George Mathewson (CEO of Royal Bank of Scotland)


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