Written by Shaban, your Education Officer
As the academic year begins, so does the workload - and you'll often find yourself looking for places to study on campus. Here's a few options - from the obvious ones to the more hidden ones...
Libraries
For most UCL students, libraries are the first port of call when it comes to finding somewhere to get stuck into their work. But don't be fooled into thinking the Main Library is the only one - UCL have a whopping 19 libraries, and you can use any of them!
You can use UCL's handy library finder not only to book a study space, but also to find the perfect library for you by filtering by facilities available. A couple of underrated ones are the SSEES Library and Language & Speech Science Library, but why not make it your mission to try all of them?
Union Spaces
Phineas during the day
You’ve probably been to Phineas by night, but by day this place is unbeatable as a study space. With tons of seating and a laid back atmosphere, it’s a great place to work whether individually or with your mates. Come in to the SU building, grab a coffee from Gordon’s and head up to the 3rd floor to get some work done.
George Farha
George Farha is one of our quieter cafes, and the seating area outside Huntley is a great place to have meetings, whether in person or on Teams/Zoom. You’re more than welcome to grab a seat without buying anything – we’ll never expect you to buy a coffee every hour like some cafes!
Print Room (especially outside)
Print Room is a cult favourite, and its outdoor seating is a great place to study on days with nicer weather. As well as having the café right there, you've also got the Union shop very close by - and with our cafes offering free hot water, it's a good excuse to grab instant noodles for a quick, cheap lunch.
IOE Bar during the day
If you’re looking for a comfy place to study, you can’t go wrong with the IOE bar in the daytime. Make sure you definitely visit when the weather picks up, as you can work on the terrace and still benefit from eduroam.
Mully’s during the day
If you’re looking for somewhere to catch up on online lectures, head down to Mully’s. Whilst typically more associated with karaoke than cramming, it’s a great place to plug your headphones in and focus.
Clubs & Societies common room
Head to the 2nd floor of the Bloomsbury Building and you'll find our clubs & societies common room. With a lot less hustle and bustle than the cafes, it's a great place to get work done, especially if you're doing group work. There's also comfy sofas, microwaves and even bean bags for when you need a proper break/snooze.
UCL Spaces
IOE & Foster Court Seminar Rooms
This is where I used to study - make sure you only use these rooms during the evenings, though, as you don't want to be interrupted by an entire class of students waiting outside!
Wilkins Terrace
Whilst not an obvious choice, the Wilkins Terrace is the perfect space for group work. It’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main quad, and you’ll benefit from the fresh air!
The Refectory
Just down from the Wilkins Terrace, you'll find the Refectory. As well as offering a big canteen serving up a variety of freshly cooked food, it also has loads of tables and chairs. If you're looking for a hearty lunch while you get your essay done, this is the place for you.
Spaces outside of campus
British Library
A little further afield, but still less than 10 minutes walk from campus, the British Library has hundreds of study spaces waiting for you. And even better, you can pre-reserve the books you need and they will be picked and waiting for you.
Senate House
Other than featuring in many films, Senate House has an amazing library on the top floor that all UCL students can use. You can join the library for free - just sign up online and complete your registration at the front desk. They also have some unbelievably comfy sofas to work on – be careful not to fall asleep on them!
Wellcome Collection – UCL students can access reading rooms free
The Wellcome Collection is literally across the road from UCL and has free reading rooms with study spaces available. Why not take a look around the museum on your break – it’s super interesting and also free!