University College London (UCL) has captured the spotlight as The University of the Year, earning its place as the top university in the UK. But what truly makes it that good?
UCL, a prestigious public university located in the heart of London, is renowned for its pioneering research and for star-studded alumni, including David Attenborough, Chris Martin and Christopher Nolan. It provides the ideal location for the modern student, where you’re surrounded by great things to do. For me, what truly distinguishes UCL from other UK universities is its cultural diversity; the large international student population reflects the vibrant, diverse and dynamic urban hub that London is. It’s one of the reasons I love studying here.
Choosing a university is a notoriously difficult process, especially when considering the challenges posed by London’s high costs and vast size. Despite these concerns, attending a world-leading university like UCL offers so many incredible opportunities. As a current student at UCL, here are five reasons why I find UCL so good, and why I think you should consider it in your application.
5 reasons why UCL is a good university
1. It’s proudly diverse
UCL has a rich history of pioneering research and inclusivity. The founding father of legal philosophy, Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) played a significant role in the establishment of UCL in 1826. Bentham’s advocacy for equal access to education made UCL the first institution to admit students of any race, class, religion and gender. Bentham’s dedication towards education was so profound that he even left his body to medical science, with his preserved corpse being exhibited in the UCL student centre today and honoured by thousands of students who follow in his footsteps.
You can see that the historical commitment to inclusivity is carried forward today amongst the student and alumni demographic, a factor which makes UCL stand out from other Russell Group universities. The university is home to students from over 150 nationalities, with international students comprising 55% of the student body. UCL’s proud heritage of diversity and inclusivity makes it the perfect place to feel right at home, regardless of your background.
2. It’s got a great academic reputation
UCL’s unrivalled academic reception makes it the best in the game. In 2024, UCL was awarded University of the Year, which is probably because of the 430 undergraduate and 720 postgraduate programmes that it offers. Its strength is probably within the scientific field, where if you’re looking to do scientific research – you’re in the right place. This focus on scientific excellence extends beyond just the theoretical – UCL’s proximity to University College London Hospital (UCLH) and The Royal Free allows students to immerse themselves right into the heart of the urban community.
However, if hospitals are not your thing, rumour has it there is even an aquarium beneath the UCL campus to explore…I’ve yet to find this out for myself.
Additionally, in 2023, UCL expanded its campus by opening a new site in East London, just a stone’s throw from the Olympic Park. This exciting location offers new, innovative degrees such as Robotics and AI and Ecology and global health, alongside research programmes that accelerate learning and reinforce the academic excellence of the institution.
3. It’s in a great location
The UCL community is nestled right in the heart of London’s Bloomsbury district, a historic area once home to many renowned writers and innovators such as the author Virginia Woolf and the economist John Maynard Keynes. Being in the heart of the UCL campus means walking alongside London’s intellectual pioneers and immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage that it has to offer. Indeed, if you are interested in career networking, the city of London, the hub of the capital’s economic activity is just on your doorstep where you can mingle with multi-national companies such as Deloitte, Bloomberg and PwC.
London really is an oyster of opportunity which caters to all tastes and preferences. The UCL campus is surrounded by a diverse array of famous museums such as The British Museum, The Wellcome Trust and The Zoological Society of London. Come rain or shine, these museums welcome students for research or simply just pleasure.
If museums aren’t your thing, London’s largest shopping district, Oxford Street is only a stone’s throw away, offering hundreds of shops and restaurants to try and explore. And don’t forget – whilst living in London is expensive, don’t let it stop you because there are plenty of student discounts and offers to be had.
4. The social life at UCL is great
UCL’s prime location also makes it an ideal place for social activity and peer networking. This is really important because all students will tell you – it can get a bit lonely at uni the first few months and finding ways to get to know other people is handy. UCL offers four great cafés, three bars (where you can escape the extortionate London drink prices) and a canteen within the Bloomsbury campus, which serves food at highly discounted prices, perfect for accommodating the student budget.
UCL is also made unique by the diverse range of clubs and societies that it offers. Whether you are interested in sport’s clubs or something more niche…UCL has a society for it. K-Pop society is particularly popular and the shows that they put on once a year are truly phenomenal.
The clubs and societies at UCL also reflect the diversity of its students, supporting them not only during the initial freshers’ week but throughout their studies. In particular, UCL is one of a handful of universities to promote a social mobility society called the 93% club. As the name would suggest, this club aims to unite the 93% of state educated students in the UK and this network aims to offer extra resources and tailor-made opportunities for these students such as workshops with industry experts and insight events.
5. It’s modern and sustainable
Sustainability is on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days and UCL stands by their commitments of concrete action. Both small and large-scale activities reinforce UCL’s commitment to caring for the planet and urban environment. You can easily see how UCL are putting sustainability into practice, such as the new research programmes of Sustainable Cities and Fair Finance at UCL East and even the reusable coffee cups which fuel the students’ days.
It therefore comes as no surprise that UCL is University of the Year. UCL’s proactive approach towards education and commitment to the wellbeing of students is what makes it such a good institution. UCL’s prestigious reputation is dedicated towards not only providing their students with a flying start into the workforce but also promoting an ethos of innovative and disruptive thinking. This makes UCL the perfect home to diverse generations of students in an ever-changing world. I personally enjoy studying here and think it’s a great place to be a student too.
If you’re still unsure and keeping your options open, find out more about other good universities be sure to explore our article: The UK universities with the best reputation: Ranked.
