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University College London (UCL) is one of the world’s leading multi-disciplinary universities. UCL is operating in a global context and are committed to excellence, innovation and the promotion of global understanding in all our activities: research, teaching, learning, enterprise and community engagement.

Top reasons to study here

  • UCL is committed to becoming a world leader in the integration of education and research
  • UCL students and staff have access to a broad range of opportunities, advice and support for entrepreneurial ventures at UCL.
  • UCL's Bloomsbury campus features numerous resources to enhance students' education and free time.

Short Courses

Social Sciences (13)
Business & Management (5)
Education & Training (4)
Humanities (4)
Medicine & Health (3)
Arts, Design & Architecture (2)
Law (1)
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (1)

About

History

In 1826 UCL is established to open up education in England for the first time to students of any race or religion, becoming the first university in London.

Two Scots, a poet and a lawyer, are credited as being the driving force in founding the self-styled ‘University of London’. 

Education

UCL is one of the world’s leading multi-disciplinary universities. We operate in a global context and are committed to excellence, innovation and the promotion of global understanding in all our activities: research, teaching, learning, enterprise and community engagement.

Our distinctive approach to research, education and innovation will further inspire our community of staff, students and partners to transform how the world is understood, how knowledge is created and shared and the way that global problems are solved.

Research

Insights from UCL research address the great challenges facing the world – bringing benefits in health, culture, policy, business and beyond.

Individually and in collaboration, UCL experts develop insights relevant to humanity’s major problems. Society reaps many benefits from their excellent research, some of which occur immediately, while others develop over years or generations. 

UCL submitted more than 2,500 staff to be assessed in REF 2014, and our researchers received a ‘grade point average’ of 3.22 (out of 4), giving UCL an overall research power greater than both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. We also had the greatest ‘impact power’ of any university.

Career

  • Professional consultants at UCL Careers are available to advise all UCL students.
  • Specialist careers consultants are also available for international students, who manage a multi-topic programme aimed at supporting international students while studying at UCL. This includes webinars enabling students to interact with international recruiters from campus.
  • Each academic department at UCL has a specialist careers consultant, who runs a bespoke programme of activities.
  • UCL JobOnline is the university's dedicated online jobs board, promoting around 2,500 jobs and work experience opportunities a week to UCL students.

University Ranking

QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2019
10 -3
2018
7
2017
7
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2019
14 2
2018
16 -1
2017
15
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2018
17 -1
2017
16 1
2016
17
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2019
-
2018
21 1
2017
22
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.

Services

Student services

The team at the Student Centre can advise you how to complete many UCL processes and how to access the core services that UCL provides.

Housing services

  • UCL Halls of Residence
UCL's three Halls of Residence provide catered accommodation close to the main campus.
  • Student Houses
UCL's range of Student Houses offer self-catered accommodation.
  • Intercollegiate Halls
There are several catered Intercollegiate Halls of Residence available to students attending UCL and any college of the University of London.
  • Private providers
Independent organisations offering accommodation to students in London.

Library services

UCL Library Services supports learning, teaching and research at UCL and consists of 18 libraries and learning spaces located across London, covering a wide range of specialist subjects.

ICT services

Information Services provide email, internet and other information services for students at UCL.

Medical services

It is important to remember to look after yourself when you are in the UK and to find out how to obtain medical treatment. The National Health Service (NHS) is the healthcare system in the UK and is primarily funded through general taxation rather than requiring insurance payments.

Some NHS services are free at the point of delivery, others you need to pay for.

Student Life

Campus life

UCL's Bloomsbury campus has numerous resources to aid your studies and make the most of your free time.

  • Academic resources

A number of resources to help you with your studies including libraries, museums and UCL's Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE).

  • Entertainment

Relax on campus in your free time by visiting the Bloomsbury Theatre, going to a gig at the Students' Union, or learning something new at one of UCL's museums.

  • Contemplation facilities

UCL is a secular institution and has a contemplation room on-site for private meditation and prayer.

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, rugby and lacrosse pitches, all-weather netball and tennis courts plus a pavilion. 
  • Other nearby facilities include Student Central, open to all University of London students including UCL students, which houses a 33-metre swimming pool, and Somers Town Community Sports Centre.

Student clubs

UCL Students’ Union (UCLU)

As well as running a huge number of clubs and societies, the Union provides the “Give it a Go” (GIAG) social programme, which allows you to try out a range of one-off activities, make new friends and perhaps even discover a new hobby or favourite place!

You could try:

  • tours of London, on foot or by bus – themes could include Literary London, Harry Potter or Bohemians of Fitzrovia
  • trips to the theatre or concerts – see a top West End play or musical
  • day trips to other UK destinations such as Bath, Windsor Castle or Stonehenge.

Accreditation

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, (AGCAS), is the professional association for higher education (HE) careers practitioners and those involved in the provision of careers and employability education, information, advice and guidance to current or prospective HE students and graduates. UCL Careers and our parent body, The Careers Group, University of London are full members of this association.

London, England, United Kingdom

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