Such is the breadth and quality of provision at University College London (UCL) that, even without being a university in its own right, it can fairly describe itself as one of the top multifaculty institutions in England.

Its position in The Times rankings has regularly confirmed this and it climbed to seventh place in the world in the global rankings published by Times Higher Education and QS in 2008.

UCL’s excellence is built on a history of pioneering subjects that have become commonplace in higher education: modern languages, geography and fine arts among them.

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise provided further confirmation of UCL’s academic power, with two-thirds of its submission judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent.

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The top scorers were economics, which saw 95 per cent of its work rated in the top two categories, and computer science and informatics, immunology and infection, environmental sciences and history of art, all of which had at least 80 per cent at this level. Architecture, chemical engineering; cancer studies; law; philosophy and psychology also produced outstanding results.

Specialist schools

Already comfortably the largest of London University’s colleges, UCL took in a number of specialist schools and institutes at the end of the 1990s. Most were medical or dental, and UCL’s medical school is now a large and formidable unit. Its credentials have been strengthened still further with the announcement that UCL will be the main university partner in the new national medical research centre to be constructed adjacent to St Pancras Station. The centre will undertake cutting-edge research to advance understanding of health and disease.

The various acquisitions mean that there are now outposts in several parts of central and north London, but the main activity remains centred on the original impressive Bloomsbury site. There have been discussions with Camden Council on the creation of a university quarter, linking UCL’s buildings and the neighbouring University College Hospital buildings, together with neighbouring parts of the University of London.

Students

UCL has done better than most London universities in the National Student Survey, with 88 per cent of final-year undergraduates expressing satisfaction in the results published in 2008. English, anthropology and archaeology produced the best scores, but at least 80 per cent of the students in every subject were satisfied. A growing number of degrees take four years, and most are organised on a modular basis.

About 6,600 of UCL’s students are from overseas, nearly half of them postgraduates and a third of them from other EU countries, reflecting the college’s high international standing. The proportion is likely to rise further in the coming years. Most departments interview suitably qualified British applicants and, once accepted, many first-year students are helped to make the academic and social adjustment to university life through UCL’s Transition Programme, which includes a variety of activities such as peer mentoring and workshops. UCL stresses its commitment to teaching in small groups, especially in the second and subsequent years of degree courses. The approach seems to work: over three quarters leave with a first or upper second. The projected dropout rate of 8 per cent is below the national average for the courses and entry grades.

Access

UCL is conscious of its traditions as a college founded to expand access to higher education, but the 33 per cent share of places going to independent school students is one of the highest in Britain. Less than one undergraduate in five has a working-class background. Concerted attempts are being made to broaden the intake with summer schools for state school students, outreach activities and campus-based programmes. UCL is sponsoring a new academy, which it sees as part of its contribution to the local community.

Leisure and facilities

The academic pace can be frantic but, close to the West End and with its own theatre and recreational facilities, there is no shortage of leisure options. Students also have immediate access to London University’s underused central students’ union facilities. Residential accommodation is plentiful and of a good standard. Indoor sports facilities are close at hand, but the main outdoor pitches, though good enough to attract professional football clubs, are a (free) coach ride away in Hertfordshire. Hockey players have access to Astroturf pitches at the Old Cranleighans ground, in Thames Ditton.

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