We’re proud to represent the incredible students at the 2024 Times and Sunday Times University of the Year. Today, UCL has been named University of the Year in the 2024 Good University Guide. Read about why in the Times (£).
The award is given each year to a UK university that has scored highest across several criteria, from student satisfaction to research quality.
UCL’s groundbreaking research, the brand-new campus at UCL East (come and say hi to us there!), and our global community really made UCL stand out this year. Student life and the opportunities we create for our members contributed too, with the Times speaking to our Tennis Club Captain, Kevin, about sport, social life, and Wednesday nights at Mully's.
What makes UCL so special?
For us, it's the vibrant, diverse, global community of students and staff that sets UCL apart from other universities. This community is powerful, collaborative and determined to tackle global challenges. We're here to help students make more happen at UCL, in London, and around the world.
Take our Volunteering Service for example, which works with 350 community partners in London, helping students find rewarding opportunities to make a difference alongside their studies:
“[Volunteering gave me] the opportunity to develop a specialised knowledge into neurodiversity and autism. I have gone from being appreciative of the issues related to it, but not directly engaged with, to feeling like I really understand it. I’ve even applied to jobs now for graduate schemes that focus on neurodiversity, which I never would have thought about before!”
George Way, a MSc Globalisation and Latin American Development student, who volunteered with an organisation that helps individuals with autism to achieve fulfilling and rewarding working lives.
Or our 390+ student-led groups who are at the centre of the campus community. More than 21,000 students joined clubs and societies last academic year, bringing people from different cultures and backgrounds together, helping students experience new things, and most crucially - forging communities and friendships that live on long after graduation.
“I am proud to be leading the process for establishing an inclusive and supportive community at UCL East. Many activities, initiatives and actions have been taken to create the UCL East community. Students became empowered to establish the first societies at UCL East, engaging with the Union to hold more events and, more importantly, spreading the sense that we are all a supportive community.”
Dania Hernandez (MSc Leadership and Management) UCL East Student Officer 2022-23
There are so many different ways for students to make the most of UCL.
What’s coming this year?
With Welcome right around the corner, we’re putting the finishing touches to two weeks filled with incredible events and experiences, opportunities for you to make friends, try something new (or something old), find a group (or two), make lasting change and get stuck in – or back in - to life at UCL.
Earlier this year we shared news of the multi-million pound investment into transforming student life at UCL, with the launch of the Student Life strategy. Learning really is a social activity, and we’re creating thousands more opportunities for students to take on challenges, learn new skills, develop intercultural awareness, volunteer, and play sport.
It all begins in Welcome Week - see you there.