Despite its location in the heart of one of the most exciting, modern cities in the world, University College London (UCL) is something of a calm oasis. The Georgian terraces and public gardens that are scattered around the campus make it easy for students to forget that they are even in the 21st century.
UCL has a long and distinguished history: Founded in 1826, only Oxford and Cambridge Universities predate it in England. There are around 9,000 undergraduates and 4,000 postgraduates--including about 3,500 foreign students--at what is one of the largest colleges in the federal network known as the University of London.
Students benefit from a broad range of University of London features, including a large theater featuring both professional and student productions, and three student unions packed with students day and night. Also, the University of London library is just next door, and there is a gym, swimming pool, shops, bars and cafeterias.
UCL is regularly ranked near the top of the league tables for research and teaching, and while its subject base is fairly traditional (no business or media studies, for example), the curriculum is known for being challenging and well instructed. The world-famous Slade School for Fine Art, the Bartlett School of Architecture and UCL's medical school are all prestigious and considered full of worthwhile courses of study.
Meanwhile, the university provides a secure, comfortable base from which to experience all the joys of living in the center of a huge capital city.
author: Carla Ranicki graduated: 2001 major: English Literature campus activities: Student magazine from: Edinburgh, Scotland native language: English
