History
UCL was founded in 1826 to open up higher education in England to those who had been excluded from it. It was the first university in England to welcome students of any religion or social background, and the first in England to welcome women to university education. This challenge to the norm and commitment to a fairer society was considered deeply unconventional by contemporary commentators.
Education
UCL is widely regarded as an academic powerhouse, appearing in the top 20 in a range of worldwide rankings. UCL is 9th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025, and , The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2025.
There are more than 700 graduate research and taught degree programmes available, as well as teacher training courses in a wide range of academic areas.
UCL's vision is to transform the way that the world is understood, how knowledge is created and how problems are solved.
Research
At the very heart of UCL's mission is our research. The university was rated second in the UK for research power in the last “Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).”
UCL’s researchers are continually making an impact on the world we live in; creating headlines across subject areas, locally in the UK and across the globe. UCL's research-based teaching methodology means that research is integrated into many of our degrees and students have the opportunity to make an original contribution to their field of study.
Career
UCL is the university in London that is most targeted by graduate employers, according to a report compiled by High Fliers Research in The Graduate Market in 2025, the largest and most authoritative annual careers survey of final year students at the UK's 30 leading universities.
UCL Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to UCL. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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University Ranking
Student services
- UCL is proudly committed to ensuring that all of its students have access to the best support and welfare services they need for academic success, personal growth and development. The Student Enquiries Centre offers free walk-in guidance across a number of issues, from health and wellbeing to finance and funding. Tutors and research supervisors are also able to provide academic support as well as friendly advice and encouragement. Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) offer personal services including:
- Drop-in sessions and counselling for mental health and wellbeing
- Specialist information for international students
- Disability or long-term health condition support
- NHS health centre
Housing services
UCL Accommodation offers a range of room types, with halls conveniently located in central London. We offer postgraduate halls and have limited family accommodation for students that would like to live with partner, family or children. We also work with private providers and partners to signpost alternative accommodation options for students that choose to live outside of halls.
The fees you pay vary depending on location and facilities. However, all accommodation fees include a furnished room rental and:
- Use of communal areas
- Maintenance within your Hall
- Cleaning of shared bathrooms, kitchens and communal areas
- Utility charges, including Wi-Fi
- Basic contents insurance; and 24/7 support
Library services
There are 15 specialist libraries with more than two million books, 12,000 journal subscriptions, archives, rare materials, significant manuscripts and many other resources. The university also holds globally important museum collections, artworks, objects, specimens and images.
Campus life
UCL sits at the heart of one of the most dynamic cities in the world and is committed to being a global leader in knowledge exchange, enterprise and open innovation.
UCL's historic campus is in Bloomsbury, central London, with the main Quad on Gower Street. We are continually creating new world-class facilities in our Bloomsbury campus – both through new developments and refurbishing some of our buildings that are rich in heritage.
In addition, in the largest single expansion since UCL was founded nearly 200 years ago, UCL East (at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford) has now joined our Bloomsbury campus in discovering, co-creating and sharing new knowledge for the benefit of all.Sports facilities
UCL offers plenty of opportunities to take part in team sports or just to keep fit and have fun.
- Students' Union UCL runs around 60 sports and dance clubs, ranging from boxing and badminton to karate and capoeira!
- The Union also runs Bloomsbury Fitness, a well-equipped health and fitness club located just next door to the main campus in Bloomsbury.
- The UCL Sports Grounds in Shenley, Hertfordshire, include full-size football pitches, all-weather netball and tennis courts, plus a pavilion. A free bus service runs to the sports grounds on match days and for training.
- Other nearby facilities include Student Central, open to all University of London students including UCL students.
Student clubs
Student union
UCL Students’ Union helps all members of the student community make the most of their time at university. It hosts more than 360 clubs and societies and is home to several bars, shops and cafes. The students’ union strives to improve the lives of all UCL students by representing and advising them, offering support, fostering connections and organising activities and events. It is managed by elected officers who act as the student's voice. Union officers work hard to improve the way the university is run. The Postgraduate Students’ Association is dedicated to graduate students, providing them with many services such as social amenities and sports facilities.
- Ranked 9th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2025 The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2025 30 Nobel Prize laureates among current or former staff and students Second in the UK for research power in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF) Leading position in third Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) In the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 (TEF) UCL was awarded Gold for Student Outcomes, Silver for Student Experience, with an overall rating of Silver.
- Top-performing university in the initial year of Horizon 2020, the EU funding scheme (Research Professional)
- Four UCL academics awarded European Research Council Starting Grants in 2022, awarding €6 million to UCL projects.