University College London

Address and Location

University College London (UCL) is spread across a number of buildings in Bloomsbury, Central London's 'University District'. The main campus is situated on Gower Street; other facilities and academic departments are scattered across London. The university's School of Energy and Resources is based at a partner institution in Adelaide, Australia.

 

Background and History

UCL is the oldest member of the University of London, founded in 1826 as a secular institution. The first university in the country to allow entrance to women on the same terms as men, in the twentieth century UCL merged with other London schools, growing in size and reputation. In 1994 the institution founded the University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, increasing the university's standing as a leading medical school.

Location and Accessibility

By Rail: Closest to the main campus are Euston Square, Goodge Street and Russell Square Tube stations. National and international rail services are available from nearby Euston and King's Cross-St. Pancras stations.

By Road: Driving to Bloomsbury is not advised; parking is difficult and the congestion charge applies in the area around the university. The nearest road for access is the A501 (Euston Road).

Accessibility: Most university facilities are wheelchair-accessible and accommodation is provided for students with disabilities.

What's on Offer

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, Graduate (Conversion) Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, MRes, MPhil, PhD

Entry Requirements

Entry standards at the university are high, requiring AAA at A-Level. Specific course information can be found on the university website.

University Accommodation

Fees for campus accommodation are not cheap unless students are willing to share a bedroom. That said, the central location of the university's halls goes some way to justify the cost. Places in intercollegiate halls are also available but can prove even more expensive.

Private Accommodation

Most students move away from Bloomsbury after their first year. Rents across the rest of London vary greatly.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

Teaching at UCL is excellent across the board and most of the university's research is regarded as being of international standard. Especially well-respected are the Departments of Clinical Medicine, Immunology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Psychiatry and Social Science.

Tuition Fees

Undergraduate courses currently cost £9,000 per year. Fees for international students and postgraduates vary.

 

Financial Support: A variety of scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available to undergraduates and postgraduates. Check the university website for more details.

Academic Facilities

Research facilities at UCL are world-class. The university's medical and biomedical science departments are supported by the UCL NHS Trust and provide state-of-the-art research facilities for the study of neuroscience, toxicology and immunology. Students also have full access to facilities across the University of London.  

Other on-site Amenities

UCL students have access to a number of on-site bars, cafes and social spaces. Sports are also well catered for; the Bloomsbury Fitness Centre is on-campus and the UCL sports grounds provide 90 acres of games space.

Medical and Social Care

Student support at the university is excellent;the institution provides its own health centre, occupational health facility and nursery and counselling services. While the university itself is secular, a broad range of faith-support services are offered to students.

 

What's on in the Area

Opportunities for entertainment are only limited by a student's budget. Bloomsbury provides a host of theatres, bars, restaurants and some of the best museums in London. Nearby Regent's Park offers plenty of green space for relaxing in, while evenings for many students are spent in the capital's nightlife capital, Soho.

 

Moving On

The expansive University of London careers service helps students find work placements, internships and employment. Graduate employability at UCL is excellent, and opportunities for further study are many given the wealth of research funding the university attracts.

UCL is home to many firsts'; the country's first economics department, the first to offer English as a degree and the first to allow entrance to women on the same terms as men.Notable alumni include Mahatma Ghandi, Francis Crick, A.A. Gill and the whole of Coldplay.

Is UCL right for you?

For a London university with a world-class reputation, UCL provides the perfect combination of intensive tuition and research excellence. The institute is particularly well know for its work in medicine and the biomedical sciences. Prospective students should alsoconsider the Imperial College or King's College - UCL's sworn rival.