UCL

UCL

Studying for a graduate degree at UCL gives you a deeper understanding of your chosen field and the opportunity to develop the cultural fluency and global outlook that are prized in today’s job market. You will join courses led by world-renowned experts and shaped by collaborations with people at the forefront of their field. Whatever you choose to study, the potential for discovery is boundless.

Top reasons to study here

  • UCL is 9th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025
  • UCL is The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2025
  • UCL is the university in London that is most targeted by graduate employers

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History

UCL was founded in 1826 to open up higher education in England to those who had been excluded from it. It was the first university in England to welcome students of any religion or social background, and the first in England to welcome women to university education. This challenge to the norm and commitment to a fairer society was considered deeply unconventional by contemporary commentators.

Education

UCL is widely regarded as an academic powerhouse, appearing in the top 20 in a range of worldwide rankings. UCL is 9th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024, and , The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2024.  

There are more than 700 graduate research and taught degree programmes available, as well as teacher training courses in a wide range of academic areas.

UCL's vision is to transform the way that the world is understood, how knowledge is created and how problems are solved.

Research

At the very heart of UCL's mission is our research. The university was rated second in the UK for research power in the last “Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).”

UCL’s researchers are continually making an impact on the world we live in; creating headlines across subject areas, locally in the UK and across the globe. UCL's research-based teaching methodology means that research is integrated into many of our degrees and students have the opportunity to make an original contribution to their field of study.

Career

UCL is the university in London that is most targeted by graduate employers, according to a report compiled by High Fliers Research in The Graduate Market in 2024, the largest and most authoritative annual careers survey of final year students at the UK's 30 leading universities.

University Ranking

QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
9
2024
9 -1
2023
8
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
16 1
2023
17 1
2022
18
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
22
2024
22
2023
22
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
7 5
2023
12
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world.

Student services

  •  UCL is proudly committed to ensuring that all of its students have access to the best support and welfare services they need for academic success, personal growth and development. The Student Enquiries Centre offers free walk-in guidance across a number of issues, from health and wellbeing to finance and funding. Tutors and research supervisors are also able to provide academic support as well as friendly advice and encouragement. Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) offer personal services including: 
  • Drop-in sessions and counselling for mental health and wellbeing 
  • Specialist information for international students 
  • Disability or long-term health condition support 
  • NHS health centre

Housing services

UCL Accommodation offers a range of room types, with halls conveniently located in central London. We offer postgraduate halls and have limited family accommodation for students that would like to live with partner, family or children. We also work with private providers and partners to signpost alternative accommodation options for students that choose to live outside of halls.

The fees you pay vary depending on location and facilities. However, all accommodation fees include a furnished room rental and:

  • Use of communal areas
  • Maintenance within your Hall
  • Cleaning of shared bathrooms, kitchens and communal areas
  • Utility charges, including Wi-Fi
  • Basic contents insurance; and 24/7 support

Library services

There are 15 specialist libraries with more than two million books, 12,000 journal subscriptions, archives, rare materials, significant manuscripts and many other resources. The university also holds globally important museum collections, artworks, objects, specimens and images.

Campus life

 UCL sits at the heart of one of the most dynamic cities in the world and is committed to being a global leader in knowledge exchange, enterprise and open innovation.

UCL's historic campus is in Bloomsbury, central London, with the main Quad on Gower Street. We are continually creating new world-class facilities in our Bloomsbury campus – both through new developments and refurbishing some of our buildings that are rich in heritage.

In addition, in the largest single expansion since UCL was founded nearly 200 years ago, UCL East (at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford) has now joined our Bloomsbury campus in discovering, co-creating and sharing new knowledge for the benefit of all. 

Sports facilities

UCL offers plenty of opportunities to take part in team sports or just to keep fit and have fun.

  • Students' Union UCL runs around 60 sports and dance clubs, ranging from boxing and badminton to karate and capoeira!
  •  The Union also runs Bloomsbury Fitness, a well-equipped health and fitness club located just next door to the main campus in Bloomsbury.
  • The UCL Sports Grounds in Shenley, Hertfordshire, include full-size football pitches, all-weather netball and tennis courts, plus a pavilion. A free bus service runs to the sports grounds on match days and for training.
  • Other nearby facilities include Student Central, open to all University of London students including UCL students.

Student clubs

Student union 

UCL Students’ Union helps all members of the student community make the most of their time at university. It hosts more than 360 clubs and societies and is home to several bars, shops and cafes. The students’ union strives to improve the lives of all UCL students by representing and advising them, offering support, fostering connections and organising activities and events. It is managed by elected officers who act as the student's voice. Union officers work hard to improve the way the university is run. The Postgraduate Students’ Association is dedicated to graduate students, providing them with many services such as social amenities and sports facilities. 

  • Ranked 9th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2024 The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2024 30 Nobel Prize laureates among current or former staff and students Second in the UK for research power in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF)  Leading position in third Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) In the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 (TEF) UCL was awarded Gold for Student Outcomes, Silver for Student Experience, with an overall rating of Silver. 
  • Top-performing university in the initial year of Horizon 2020, the EU funding scheme (Research Professional) 
  • Four UCL academics awarded European Research Council Starting Grants in 2022, awarding €6 million to UCL projects.

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