r/UCL

hi guys! i was just wondering which freshers wristband most people are buying (student union or the one i’ve seen on whatsapp) and whether it’s worth buying?

Hi I'm in year 13 and I'm thinking about if I should live at home or not during the first year of uni. I live around 30 minutes away from the main campus and even the other unis I'm applying to is only 20-30 minutes away. Is it hard to have a good social life while not living in the uni? If anyone also lives/lived at home in first year what was your experience like and did you make good enough friends that you could move in with in the second year. I'm studying architecture so my course is very long and I think the time to make friends would be a bit longer. My parents are also quite reluctant to me moving out early so it is something to consider.

Thank you for any responses

Is it possible to resit 2nd year even if I technically passed? I had some very debilitating mental health issues last year, didn't show up to classes, failed to hand in a lot of essays (I do English Lit) and failed a good few of my exams which I am now retaking in the LSA period. I will probably pass them and therefore move on to 3rd year but I will have completely ruined my chances of getting a 2:1. Is it possible to redo the entire year even if UCL weren't aware of my struggles at the time? I have a diagnosis now but didn't at the time, and physical health issues that came as a result were dismissed by doctors so I had nothing to show.

hi guys, i just bought the ucl nightlife wristband but i'm worried i won't actually have anyone to go to the club with especially for the first few days, because i'm not staying in accomms (so no flatmates etc). can non ucl students go if they just buy a ticket to the event or are they reserved just for us?

Hello. I got AstarAA for my results and I’m quite pleased with this. I had an offer from Queen Mary of AAA for law but I’m not sure I want to go there. Mainly due to the reputation of the uni and the fact it is in East London. I was looking through clearing courses and found International, Social & Political Studies (ISPS) for AstarAA and applied through clearing and got a place. I’m now unsure where to accept UCL ISPS and want some advice. I think I want to be a lawyer when I’m older or go into something like diplomacy/international relations. (I’m more tending towards being a lawyer but that diplomacy idea is an option.) If I did the course at Queen Mary it would just be 3 years then my SQE or Bar course, whichever I decide to pursue. But if I go to UCL I will have to do 4 year degree + a conversion course for one year before I get to the stage of an SQE or Bar course. This puts me 2 years behind compared to if I did law at QM and I will also £20k more in debt. Thing is I prefer UCL and it was a dream when I was first applying and tbh I actually don’t mind the course ISPS it sounds interesting and unique. Ive also heard the law degree can be kind of dry so I do feel this isn’t a bad option. I’m leaning more towards UCL because of its reputation and prestige to employers compared to Queen Mary and I feel I will have more fun there. I also feel if I do go into law it would most likely be in international law/human rights law which ISPS can help direct me towards making me have more knowledge in this field (potentially). I’m just not sure about the ‘loss’ of 2 years and the extra debt but yet again is it really a ‘loss’ when I’m learning a good selection of things in those 2 years. Ive also heard the law degree can be kind of dry/boring. In ISPS I’ll have to take up a language which I actually don’t mind but it’s definetly like something that I wouldn’t have expected. I don’t mind this tho coz I get to study at that country in my 3rd year and feel this will be a good travel experience, something I like to do. I do feel at UCL I acc don’t mind telling people which uni I go to like when ppl asked me which uni am I going to I wouldn’t really want to say Queen Mary. Also, I think the atmosphere at Queen Mary will be more studious due to the nature of the uni and the ppl that go there. Adding onto that, the fact the clearing grades required for UCL ISPS were AstarAA whereas Queen Mary it was taking clearing grades of like BBC or something (I might be wrong about that tho).

This is in a really jumbled up order of me wanting to go to UCL and me not wanting to go so please like note the bits that you think matter the most in ur reply (ps. Thank you)

Is it an objectively ‘good’ choice of choosing UCL ISPS over Queen Mary Law based on my personal reasoning on where I would prefer and actual facts about prestige etc. Please help and thank you too. Any questions let me know. Thank you for reading.

Wishing anyone who is waiting on A level results or waiting for their places to be confirmed tomorrow the very best of luck!

For anyone hoping UCL will have courses in clearing. UCL has had courses in July and August so do check the website early tomorrow to see if any more courses will be added.

Tips:
- Call early, the applicant needs to be there to speak to the adviser on the phone. Call handlers cannot talk to parents without you there. Written permission may be requested.

- Know the programme you want to apply. All programmes will be listed on the Clearing website. You will not be able to switch onto a ‘better’ programme later.

- UCL Clearing isn’t really like others in that we accept many dropped grades so be realistic with what is available. If you have CCC you wouldn’t be competitive for a programme which accepts AAA.

- Offers won’t be made on the phone, so admissions will process and aim to make a decision within a few hours.

There is a lot of information on our website!www.ucl.ac.uk/study/prospective-students/undergraduate/clearing

Regardless of the result tomorrow, remember, you’ve done amazingly to get through your examinations, making it through the year. Take stock of how well you’ve done and how far you’ve come.

Hiii! I'm NOT from UCL. In fact, I am your enemy.

But unfortunately, if I was to march an army of students from KCL down towards Bloomsbury, I would likely be labelled a domestic terrorist. So I have another proposition.

I've created a society in King's called the Online Strategy Society. The gist is that we hold debates and play wargames. I was wondering if there was any UCL Wargaming groups who were interested in playing with and competing against with a KCL Wargaming team in any tabletop/digital wargame? Or perhaps, engage in a debate with us over a contemporary/historical security issue?

Might as well see!

Hi everyone,

I will be attending UCL from this September, which is so exciting and I am super grateful! However, part of me can't help but already begin to feel like I will not measure up to the expectations of the institution. Since I got two unconditional offers, my family and friends tell me that I will be fine and that I am deserving of this. However, I can't help and feel somewhat anxious that I will simply not be good enough.

Has anyone experienced this and could ease my mind on the situation?

Thank you :)

​

Hi! I’m a student journalist working on an international news article about how recent heatwaves are affecting university students in Europe.

I’m looking to speak with UCL students currently in London about what the heat has actually been like for you — especially things like:

living in halls/flats without AC

sleeping or studying in the heat

commuting around London

changes to work, classes, exercise, or social plans

whether you feel UCL/London is prepared for hotter summers

It would just be a short interview/chat, and I’m mainly looking for personal experiences rather than expert knowledge. You can also message me privately if you’d rather not comment publicly.

If you’ve been affected by the heat at all and would be willing to chat, please comment or DM me. Thank you!

Hey everyone, lmk if this type of post isn't allowed.

I've got a Gourmia air fryer I need to get rid of as I'm moving out of the UK after I finish my MA. The funny thing about is its been given away between different UCL students after finishing their programmes and moving back to their home countries.

If anyone wants to help me carry on this tradition, let me know. It's in great working condition and I still have the manual. Must pick up before September 10th.

Hey guys, I’m an incoming archaeology/anthro major at Ucl and i was wondering how helpful getting an ipad would be? I guess it would be pretty convinient for field work specifically and general studying but i’m just looking for a second opinion. Just making sure it’s not a waste of money. if you have an ipad, how often do u use it and how compatible is the UCL tech systems w it? Thanks!

Hi guys! I’m a new student from China, joining UCL this autumn.

After checking our major on Goin', I found out that over 50% of my classmates are from China/East Asia... and literally almost ALL of them are the opposite gender. As you can imagine, the prospect of being the odd one out in every single seminar is mildly terrifying and socially awkward.

Back home, the internet narrative says Chinese international students overseas either live in total isolation or crazy party mode. Personally, I just really want to break out of the language barrier, avoid sticking strictly to a cultural bubble, and, well... survive my classes. I’m genuinely eager to meet people from all backgrounds and genders!

For non-Chinese peers, any tips on how to mingle outside of one's department?

P.S. I've considered joining clubs/societies, but I'm ASD, so I'm not the best with words or large group activities. I'm much more comfortable with 1-on-1 chats, low-energy hangouts, or shared quiet hobbies. Any advice for a neurodivergent friendly way to socialize at UCL?

Debating whether to take the train or drive

Hopefully I’ll be going to ucl this September (find out next week 🤞) and wondering what sort of laptop I should get? Or if even an iPad/ tablet would be better. I’d most likely be doing chemistry and maths modules. Thank you!