A stabbing in a chemistry lab in Young Hall of UCLA University on Thursday afternoon has left a woman in a critical condition in hospital, the LA Times reported.

The victim, whose identity was not immediately released, was taken to UCLA-Reagan Medical Center.

The suspect was taken into custody by UCLA police was taken into custody after the incident was reported at 12:21pm local time.

Students told the Los Angeles Times they saw a woman stagger out of the lab moments after the attack while a teacher's assistant applied pressure to her bloody neck.