University College School, London
University College School is an independent school for pupils aged 4 to 18 in London. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in October 2024.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
University College School in detail
University College School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "The Pre-Prep provides a happy, supportive and stimulating environment for boys aged 4-7. With specialist teachers for Art, Music, PE and French, we spark curiosity and foster independence. We nurture independent thought and intellectual freedom from a young age, looking after pupils in an intimate environment that builds confidence and instils the belief that every child can be uniquely themselves."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include STEM, sewing and debating.
Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 12 May 2027, an open evening on Wednesday 12 May 2027, an open day on Wednesday 9 June 2027 and an open evening on Wednesday 9 June 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Camden
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for University College School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to University College School are Devonshire House Preparatory School (0.2 miles); St Anthony's School for Boys (0.2 miles); LSI Independent College (0.3 miles, Good); and Alleyns Hampstead Senior School (0.3 miles).
Devonshire House Preparatory SchoolSt Anthony's School for BoysLSI Independent CollegeAlleyns Hampstead Senior School
Where pupils go next
Of the 179 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 75% went on to university or other higher education and 8% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 160 pupils (12.3%) received SEN support and 2 (0.2%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest Underground station is Hampstead Underground Station, about 370 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fitzjohn's Avenue, 270 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood University College School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 763 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Camden (1254).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
15 October 2024
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
23 November 2021
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
5 November 2019
Regulatory Compliance
1 November 2017
Regulatory Compliance
25 January 2017
Standard inspection report
1 December 2011
Standard inspection report
1 January 2010
About
University College School, also known as UCS, is a private day school in Frognal, Hampstead, London, England. The school was founded in 1830 by University College London.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Fees for 2026/27
Day fees, per year
£28,845 to £34,311
depending on year group
| Senior School | £34,311 a year |
| Junior Branch | £31,401 a year |
| Pre-Prep | £28,845 a year |
Including VAT. From the school's own fee schedule; check with the school before you rely on it.
Private school fees in Camden - 9 schools' published fees side by side
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for University College School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby all-through schools
Latest from University College School
STEM Horizons: One Year In and Making a Difference
5 Oct 2026
Student Union Hustings Set Record for Candidate Numbers
29 Sep 2026
Shortlisted for Best Public School in the UK!
29 Sep 2026
GCSE Results 2026: Record-breaking year as 60% of grades awarded a 9
20 Aug 2026
A Level Results 2026: Outstanding Results Mark the Best in UCS History
13 Aug 2026
UCS Pupil Luka Named Best Actor at National School Theatre Awards
29 Jun 2026
From University College School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with University College School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near University College School.
- Active Day Camps - UCS ActiveAt the school · Not yet graded
- Let's Leap @ Devonshire House210m away · Not yet graded
- Aktiva Camps @ Devonshire House310m away · Not yet graded
- The Strings Club - Hampstead Holiday Camp (Hampstead Parochial Primary))360m away · Not yet graded
- Rising Stars Activities360m away · Not yet graded
- Aktiva Camps @ St Anthony Boys370m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Train Stations
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 117
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 8
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 117 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 8 serious and 109 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
25 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Camden is 130 (the median across 102 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
98%
Near capacity
1,297 pupils
1,318 places
21 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - London
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for London
Across Camden council
Places available
1,577
Applications
1,261
Got 1st preference
73.7%
Got preferred school
93.3%
All secondary applications across Camden council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
160
SEN Support
2
EHC Plans
12.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
1,297
Total Pupils
1,184
Boys
113
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about University College School
What are GCSE results like at University College School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for University College School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was University College School last inspected?
University College School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in October 2024.
How many pupils go to University College School?
University College School has around 1297 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to University College School?
University College School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Does University College School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Active Day Camps - UCS Active (registered, not yet graded). There are 5 more within a kilometre. The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near University College School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 117 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 8 serious and 109 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 25 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Camden is 130 (the median across 102 schools, same distance and years).
Where is University College School?
University College School is at Frognal, Hampstead, London, NW3 6XH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)