University College London - London

Havana K.

I’m 6 months into my first year here at UCL, and I’m doing a BSc in Geography. I wish I could give a five star review, but I just can’t bring myself to. I need to be honest here - I’ve had a very rough time so far. I’m from humble beginnings: public school educated, born and bred in Notting Dale London. I had to work my ass off to get the A level grades to get into this university since mummy and daddy wouldn’t be able to afford to bail me out if I failed. Within a week of being at UCL, it was clear that I was one of the “poor students.” I’ve been nastily judged by students around me for not being able to afford to go clubbing every night and go on elaborate trips around central London. I was even judged for stating that I’d never travelled abroad alone. I was told “you’re literally a geography student, and you’ve not travelled” Sorry for not being able to afford to travel 😬. If you’re from a background like mine, coming to UCL will feel like a culture shock.
I’m also, as far as I know, the only person of my ethnicity on the course. This has been extremely isolating. Despite being a member of multiple societies I’ve struggled to make friends and connect with people. I’ve noticed that people of the same ethnicities in my department cluster together. So as someone from a minority ethnic group, I’m a loner.
Unfortunately, it’s not just the students I’ve struggled with. It’s also my professors and lecturers. Most of my professors are unapproachable, many extremely passive aggressive and very cut-throat. I’ve been told in many lectures that “If you don’t understand the lecture material thats your fault!” And god forbid you turn up to a lecture five minutes late, you get publicly shamed. As a commuter, this has triggered horrific panic attacks, especially when my trains are held up. My worst experience was when I very politely emailed a professor about having to pull out of a trip due to bad mental health and I felt as if I’d been given a verbal beating. I’d never felt so embarrassed and misunderstood in all my life. Another nasty experience occurred in my tutorial group. I was asked a question which I misunderstood, and was laughed at by my tutor. This became a running gag for a while, but it was incredibly embarrassing for me. Yet another nasty experience occurred. I didn’t submit an assignment properly, this was a genuine accident on my part since I was using new software to complete the assignment. I was sent an email from my prof, who said that he was “kindly going to give me another chance to submit it, but my inability to follow instructions deserved a null grade and a fail.” I had tried my best to follow the instructions provided, but they were last minute and the assignment was badly organised. Me and 40 other people made the same mistake. The way I’ve been spoken down to and treated by some of my profs has been absolutely disgusting, and had an impact on my mental health. Even teachers during my secondary school career never spoke to me that way, ever.
I know it’s still early days for me, but I’m more unhappy than ever here. Don’t even get me started on the availability and variety of food, the price of food, and the price of some societies. Before ending my review, I’d just like to remind readers that my experience isn’t universal. This is the experience that I, a neurodivergent female student of an ethnic minority and working class background, have had.

Joanna C.

Hi, I've just started here at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction (BSSC).
I'm very happy with the teachers, course leaders, and quality of written materials.
It's really easy to find items I need, and when I do I can copy the pages with some free credit from the library.
The Bartlett Library, in particular, is a real gem. Already in September I see devoted students at the desks, and it's a treat to be round these other academics.
The only downside is I do find some of the rooms / buildings a bit tricky to find occasionally, but that's part of the charm of being in an old and international university.
I'm privileged to attend here.

Bablox 0.

College has a high focus on medical and research.

Maggie P.

UCL, would top ten university. Having a university college hospital supporting next to the campus. Very competitive, average 1 of 7 to get in or 1 of 12 to get in to medicine. Top facilities with top quality education.

Suzanne I.

Outpatients clinic on the edge of Euston road and northern tip of Tottenham Court Road.
I was there for l yr check on my hip replacement: X rays and senior registrar chat. No warning in the letter about stripping into hospital gown...one that was broken. I put it on as best as l could then was sent back to put a different one on. Embarrassed and confused by why technician had so many problems getting me into correct position. Almost late for Podium clinic which was very crowded running behind. I lady had 2 he wait before being seen. No where l felt safe to sit where l could hear my name called. I then was harassed .. nay verbally abused by another patient for his perception of my repeated statement that l had to leave for work at 1. ( appointment 11. 10). Actually trying to get receptionist to agree to take my clinical trial survey in case l couldn't be seen by l pm. Everyone watched this abuse which reduced me to tears behind the clinic wall. No clinic staff asked the man to step away from me, calm down. Only a passing person from another area helped me. Despite this l appreciate how hard it is to keep this building moving through its normal schedule. Staff trying their very best to get their jobs done. The mood definitely feels different to last year. A real sense of weariness pervades. Advise visitors to bring their own sanitising gel as some dispensers on desks are not push down operation.Bring water/ drinks too to anticipate long waits for appointments. Signage is reasonable to follow in corridors though the way lifts operate less obvious. Be prepared to go in opposite direction occasionally just to press button for your floor. Better than climbing stairs if you're tired. My photos are mostly of lower floor X ray area.

吳伯益

It's a great college.
I have joined a summer camp at University College of London. All the things happen here are great.
The location of school are nice. A hospital is just across the street. And we only need to take three minutes to walk to underground station and train station.
The ranking of the school is very high.

Tom B.

A huge chunk of the British uni-industrial complex imparts no useful skills, at vast cost, to young people with no scholarly interests, succeeding only in shrinking the workforce and delaying people from getting on with their lives by 3-5 years, and did I mention at an ever increasing cost in tuition (although it does get charged as more of a tax than as a debt you'd need to 100% repay).

Be very deliberate and careful when committing years of a finite life to a degree when you can start earning earlier and frankly get on with life.

A study by the IFS found that "total returns [on going to university] will be negative for around 30% of both men and women."

Last year they promised grads would pay less. But now instead of reform Labour has taken the easy option & just jacked up how much graduates have to pay

Think about whether you want to suffer years of lost potential earnings. That is all for my public service announcement. As you were.

Hannah W.

Came here for the first time and was really impressed by the way the whole place was run. There was lots of signage to make it easy to find your way. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. There some amazing volunteers who help the place to run smoothly. The place was also lovely and clean.