Why choose UCL?

We're proud of our groundbreaking history, distinguished present and exciting future. UCL is a great place to be a student for so many reasons. 


About UCL

​​​​​​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.

  • World-leading, world-impacting research*
  • 400+ degree programmes
  • Students from more than 150 countries
  • 30 Nobel laureates
  • An award-winning sustainable university^
  • Over 450 student clubs and societies
  • In the heart of London, the world's best student city**

* Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)

^ People & Planet University League for environmental and ethical performance  

** QS Best Student Cities 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024

Discover UCL

Students having lunch together on UCL campus.

A vibrant social life

As a student, you are automatically a member of Students' Union UCL, and UCL's policy of keeping Wednesday afternoons free of teaching gives you the opportunity to take part in social and sporting activities.

Our global outlook

Around 53% 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.

Since we established the UCL Grand Challenges in 2008, we have brought together more than 850 researchers from 170 centres, institutes and departments across UCL and provided more than £1.9m in funding to 442 projects.

Library shelf in UCL library.

In the heart of London

Tate modern

Lose yourself in The National GalleryTate Modern and the British Museum.

London landmark sign.

Check out local entertainment venues, including the Royal Albert HallBarbican and the Royal Opera House, and famous film venues such as the Prince Charles Cinema and National Film Theatre.

The British Library.

Alongside UCL libraries, access 385 public libraries.

UCL portico building with welcome sign

Access London's vibrant business community and a wide breadth of employers, from finance in the City of London and Canary Wharf, to entrepreneurial and tech start-ups in East London Tech City.

UCL portico building.

Our central London location gives our students access not only to the best in entertainment and nightlife, but also globally renowned cultural and academic resources.

Bloomsbury campus

Take a look around

Our community sits at the heart of one of the world's most dynamic cities. London has been ranked as the best city in the world for students (QS Best Student Cities 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024)!

Explore UCL