University College London - UCL
speciality: English Language & Literature

UCL is one of the world’s most respected universities, with a strong global reputation. It consistently ranks in the global top 10 in major rankings like QS. Many people love its central London location, cultural diversity, and lively intellectual atmosphere. That said, some students do mention challenges such as high living costs, bureaucracy, and mixed experiences across different departments, which can lead to uneven course satisfaction. It’s a great choice for international students, researchers, future scientists or artists, and career-minded people who see education as a gateway to global opportunities. However, it doesn’t always feel like a traditional “campus” university, since the buildings are quite spread out.

UCL Illuminated, the three-night immersive sound and light show projected onto the iconic Wilkins Building in Bloomsbury, is part of the university’s 200th anniversary celebrations from 11–13 February 2026. It’s a recent highlight and definitely worth a visit.

I do English BA and it’s… a lot to say the least. There are tutorial essays to be done every two weeks and seminar and lecture reading which end up piling up towards the middle of the terms. Lectures are okay but most of them are so random and unhelpful. There is way to much expectation for readings and because of this a lot of students as well as myself end up choosing a select few to study in detail rather than aiming to study them all. Exam advice is pretty mid too, no help given with how to structure or write an essay you’re sort of expected to just do it. You’re thrown into tutorials with little help and only the meetings with a tutor are really helpful for tips and criticism. Overall, I loved some of the texts and a select few seminars were a godsend with how helpful they were – and that was because of the lecturer herself being excellent – and I met my best friend here, but apart from that the programme itself is flawed. Sense of community in societies and careers events and help is outstanding! So it’s a 50/50 love hate sort of thing.

At UCL, there is a feeling of openness and calm. The fact that everyone’s life is active and purposeful is among the things I appreciate most about this campus. However, his comprehensive academic background is more of a factor for this school’s liberal reputation. The tendency is for people to lose their sense of belonging when there is too much freedom and enjoyment. Because of this, UCL is advised, especially for individuals who want a loose and adaptable approach. Additionally, student welfare protection is better handled by UCL.

As a Master’s student, I already have some experience with several programmes, professors, and management styles I’ve approached in the past. However, it was never the case that I immediately felt as fantastic as I do right now, at UCL. The university area is full of life and joy, but it doesn’t overshadow the most important point of why are we all here – to study. The approachability of libraries, university staff and help centres makes it pleasurably easy and turns our daily student struggles into a pure delight. I would recommend UCL to everyone who wants to experience the best student atmosphere available.

The program is quite helpful for those who want to be teachers in the future. However, some tutors in this program are not very responsible and can’t provide much help. As a result, there is a great discrepancy in the quality of different classes. The facilities in the school are great. There is enough space for us to study or discuss things with partners.

Responsible professors, amiable TAs, clear outline of the course schedule, excellent location of the campus.

The program is not diversified(>90% Chinese international students), not very practical, a total of three weeks of strikes, not enough F2F sessions, assignment requirement is often not clear enough, few career-oriented activities within the program.

In general, the atmosphere of the classes was very good and the teachers were very nice, so I learned a lot of new things. However, in some courses, there was no presentation, which made the lessons a bit boring and also led to students missing key information. In some classes, students were not very familiar with each other, which made it difficult to move forward with group work.

Great faculty and super interesting modules. Wish collegiate sports were more like they are in America. Also wish Pakistani literature was a part of the comparative literature and modern languages degrees.

UCL is a great place to study literature and languages, not only because of the international cohort, but also the library resources on offer. The modules offered are wide ranging and interesting, and also can be somewhat intellectually challenging. There are also many societies and social events every week, which helps make student life more enjoyable.

I can only speak for the English Course of this University but personally I found it very engaging. The first year is broad, which is necessary, although slightly daunting at first, as it sets you up well for the second year. They provide one to one mentors which is encouraging. Most lecturers were engaging, and the module choices for second year are interesting.