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Introducing Ruiyi from China. She progressed to BSc Social Sciences at UCL after completing the UPCH (Humanities).
What’s your background?
I come from China and I am currently studying Social Sciences at UCL. It is a broad and wide course which offers psychology, history, sociology and if you want, even economics (via optional modules).
In classes, you could share your ideas about politics, hot topics with your classmates from different parts of the world, which could assist you in gaining a better understanding of cultural differences and the influence of globalisation.
Why did you choose to study UPC at UCL?
The UPC is a fascinating course which could allow you to adapt to the university life within a year. I was first attracted to it due to its course-setting.
Here on the UPC, you could learn academic writing skills in the Academic English and Academic Research: Approaches & Methods classes and related knowledge from the two optional modules.
Even if now I’ve progressed to the undergraduate course at UCL, the topics of Social Sciences are closely related to what I’ve learned in Modern European History & Politics and Geography and the Built Environment classes.
There are a lot moments in my university life I recall from my time on the UPC and all I want to say is to enjoy your UPC learning journey and you will miss it afterwards like me.
As for why I want to study with UCL is because I love the teaching style in this school and the diverse societies allow me to explore my interests aside from academic lives.
What course do you study now and what is it like?
I am currently studying social sciences at UCL and I particularly enjoy sociology classes because we talk about gender identity, social networks, ethnicity and globalisation.
These sociological topics and the ideas exchanged in the seminars could allow me have a deeper understanding of them.
One challenge I met is the endless reading and essays to be finished, and it requires you to manage your time well and to do things efficiently.
How has the UPC helped you in your degree?
The UPC taught me how to write academic essays and helped with university life. Skills like referencing helped me to write essays more quickly. Also, I learned how to do presentations in a well-structured way.
As for communication skills, the seminars in the optional subjects and the speaking classes in the Academic English subject provided me with a lot of opportunities to practice my spoken English and now I am not afraid to express my ideas in seminars in my undergraduate classes.
What advice would you give to future UPC students?
I would strongly advise UPC students to find a good place to live before you come to London – and if you choose to rent the house by yourself – then as early as possible.
For the academic learning, I don’t think that you should worry about that too much because the tutors and teachers are very nice and patient and you could even book the office hour of them if you have any questions about the courses.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?
The most interesting seen I’ve seen is the puppy therapy during the final weeks. Staff would bring the dogs to the campus usually in the garden of student centre and students could interact with dogs to release the pressures of preparing for the exams. For those who love pets I think it would be fascinating activity to join.
How is the UK education system different to your home country?
It is actually quite different from my home country. To study the humanities in the UK is more like a self-acquisition instead of being told or instilled the knowledge.
At first, you may find it difficult to read those assigned readings but gradually you will find that it is of very importance and it could inspire you to think things or issues more critically or from another aspect you’ve never think of. The tips I could offer is to finish the reading and do not think that they are useless.
Where is your favourite place on campus and why?
My favourite place on campus would be the Student Centre, it has a cafe on the third floor and you could book a group study room online if you have a group project and that would be a perfect place for discussions. Then, it is 24-hours and you could study all day there. Security is also good in the Student Centre because if you enter during the night you will be asked to show your ID or you cannot come in.