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Why choose UCL?
Discover why UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world
Academic excellence
- We are one of the world's very best universities, consistently placed in the global top 20 in a wide range of world rankings. Currently we are 8th in the QS World University Rankings (2022) and 3rd in Europe in the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic World Rankings (2021).
- We are a world-leader in research, with outstanding results in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.
- UCL is a multi-disciplinary university, home to centres of teaching excellence in subjects from medicine to languages, law to engineering and history to astrophysics. We encourage interdisciplinary study and believe that all areas of study can inform and enrich each other.
- We have found that intellectually curious students learn best when they experience first-hand the challenges of conducting research - so initiatives like the Connected Curriculum scheme aim to ensure that our students can take an active part in the thriving research culture at UCL.
- There has been at least one Nobel Laureate from the UCL community every decade since the establishment of the prizes in 1901.
In the heart of London
Our central London location gives our students access not only to the best in entertainment and nightlife, but also to cultural and academic resources. We are close to, and have teaching and research links with, countless hospitals, museums, galleries, libraries and professional bodies. In fact, London has been ranked, for several years running, as the best city in the world for students (QS Best Student Cities 2017, 2018 and 2019)!
Explore UCL's campus on the UCL Maps site
Explore what London has to offer
Global Outlook
- Around 41% of our students come from outside the UK, from more than 150 countries, and UCL has a friendly and cosmopolitan atmosphere. We work hard to embed a global perspective in all our teaching.
- There are plenty of opportunities to study abroad for a term or a year - around 25% of our students spend some time in another country as part of their degree programme.
- Our innovative Global Citizenship programme gives our students the chance to learn new skills, working on interdisciplinary projects related to our Grand Challenges.
Find out more about our Global Citizenship programme
Find out more about UCL Grand Challenges
Supporting your ambitions
- UCL Careers offers professional help and advice to students seeking employment, work experience placements or further study, and our Alumni Relations office facilitates networking to help UCL graduates in their chosen careers.
- UCL Innovation & Enterprise, our centre for entrepreneurship, offers training, networking, competitions and business support for UCL students seeking to start their own business.
Find out about UCL's Innovation and Enterprise programme
Life after study
- Around 90% of UCL graduates enter work or further study within six months of graduating (data taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey undertaken by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017 cohort).
