There is a lot that could be said about a university, but as I think that facilities, professors and courses would be quite redundant and can be explored on the university’s website, I will tell you about my personal experience at UCL.

I started studying at UCL in 2017 doing a Bachelor of science in Biotechnology. During my first year, I had to adapt a lot to this new life and the different types of assessment at university. Since the start, I had a mentor and two personal tutors which gave me great support. The learning curve was quite steep for me coming from a completely different educational background, but it was never frustrating. Towards the end of the year, I had the opportunity of doing a research project that brought me to MIT in Boston by the fall of the following year. Throughout my first year, I had a great student life as well, both in terms of cultural events and nights out which London never fails to offer. Additionally, when I decided to change course my tutors have been really supportive and helped me a lot.

In second year, as I had to adapt and work a lot in my first, I did not find the progression overwhelming. At the start of the year, I got the chance to secure an industrial placement in a big pharmaceutical company in Cambridge, and in the second semester I started working in a university research laboratory. Right now, I finished my second year, and I am excited to continue this great university experience.

When I got in, I did not know UCL well, except for its high position in world’s rankings, and I feel that it is still fairly unknown abroad. However, I am not regretting accepting this offer over other valuable ones, as I feel like UCL is the perfect university for someone who wants to both excel academically and be involved in the city and student life. Not everything is always going to be served to you on a silver plate, but with a bit of curiosity and effort, this great institution can open all sorts of doors for your future.