University College London is one of the leading research institutions in the British capital. According to the number of students, the university ranks third in the Kingdom. From a formal point of view, University College London is part of the University of London, which was formed by the merger of two urban educational institutions in 1826.
Place in the international educational system
In most international university rankings, University College London is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. In Europe and the UK, college is in second place, and fourth in the world ranking.
The college can have such popularity with the highest level of teaching, ancient traditions and excellent material and technical base. In addition, the number of Nobel laureates among graduates is taken into account, and this college can boast of: 26 Nobel Prize winners worked and studied at University College London.
Of particular note is the fact that it was University College that became the first institution of higher education to which students began to be admitted, regardless of their beliefs, race, or religious affiliation.
Early story
University College began its history in 1826 under the name of the University of London. However, after ten years as a result of the merger of the University of London and Queen's University, a new educational institution appeared.
The main prerequisite for opening such a place was the desire to create a secular alternative to Oxford and Cambridge - the two oldest universities in the UK.
In 1871, the university structure was supplemented by the newly created School of Fine Arts, and another seven years later the university began teaching for women on an equal footing with men.
University in the 20th century
The beginning of the 20th century was a turning point in the history of University College London. In 1906, the famous cruciform building was built, which became the main campus of the institution. At the same time, all colleges of the university lost their legal independence, which was not quite typical of the British educational system.
In the post-war period, the first student magazine began to be published in the educational institution, and in 1959 the world's first Institute for the Study of Jewish Culture was founded. In 1956, the college had its own space laboratory.
It is noteworthy that the first e-mail was also sent from the laboratory of the University of London in 1973. By that time, the college was part of the university for over 100 years.
University in the new millennium
In the XXI century, the university college continued to actively develop various scientific fields. The college was the first and only academic institution to establish a crime research center. Named after the murdered British journalist Jill Dando, the center is developing programs that can help reduce international criminal activity.
In 2003, with the collaboration of Imperial College London, a nanotechnology research center was also opened, becoming one of the first specialized institutions in the world.
Despite the highest quality of education, the merits of graduates and professors, as well as a rich history, the University College received the right to appropriate its own degrees only in 2005 by the personal order of Elizabeth ll. In the same year, the institution acquired a new clinic in which students undergo practical training, and scientists conduct research that is extremely important for modern science.
Interdisciplinary research and new faculties
Enormous attention at the college is given to the development of new areas of science based on an interdisciplinary approach. Created at the beginning of the XXI century, the biomedical faculty has become a platform for developing new technologies and strategies, both in education and in science.
In 2006, the Institute for Child Health was organized, which became the largest in the new faculty, and a year later the Center for the Study of Cancer appeared at the university. Both divisions carry out intensive research and unique operations.
University campus
The college’s main campus is located in the Bloomsbury district of London. Here are the faculties of philosophy, chemistry, biology, politics, physics and medical sciences. The Student Council, the Museum of Archeology and the main libraries are located in the same area.
Currently, about 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students study at the university, which makes the college one of the largest universities in the country. All first-year students are provided with housing in their own dormitory at University College London. A building with student rooms is of particular value.
The largest hostel is Ramsey Hall, which was built in 1964 by the architect Maxwell Frya. The residential student home is located on Maple Street in the heart of the British capital. The hostel has a spacious courtyard, around which residential buildings, a dining room and other public spaces are grouped. Ramsey Hall has 450 rooms with private bathrooms and kitchens, and staff are hired to clean the common areas.
University Cultural and Extracurricular Life
The college has numerous cultural institutions that allow students to spend time with benefits for study and intellectual development.
The educational institution has a museum of pathology at University College London (UCL), a theater in Bloomsbury, a museum of Egyptian archeology Pitris, a museum of zoology and a museum of fine arts.
The collection of the Museum of Egyptian Archeology contains more than 80,000 exhibits, including Fayum portraits, plates and various ceramics. The pearls of the collection are two lions from the temple of the god of fertility Mina. Fragments of the list of pharaohs of the V dynasty dating back to 2900 BC are also interesting.
The collection of costumes worn in ancient Egypt is also unique. This collection includes the oldest dress on Earth, the costume of an Egyptian dancer, two elegant robes with long sleeves, and even armor found in a palace in Memphis.
Admission conditions and tuition fees
Obviously, studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the world cannot be cheap, especially if it's a British university. In addition, even the ability to pay for expensive training does not guarantee the acceptance of documents, since the highest requirements are imposed on the applicant.
To enter one of the many undergraduate programs, a future student must demonstrate:
- certificate with high marks;
- Fundation certificate, indicating the possession of the knowledge necessary for studying at a British university;
- IELTS certificate with at least 6.5 points.
To enter the master's program you will need a bachelor's degree, a language certificate and at least two letters of recommendation from academic advisers from a previous university.
It is worth noting that the cost of undergraduate studies and accommodation are paid at the same time. At the same time, the fee is 20 300 pounds per year (about 26 thousand dollars). University College London is distinguished by the fact that foreigners and British pay the same tuition fee. A year of study at the master's level costs from 16,000 to 20,500 pounds (about 20.5 - 26.2 thousand dollars).