University College London is one of the leading research institutions in the British capital. In terms of 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 educational institutions in the city in 1826.
Place in the international educational system
In most international rankings of educational institutions, University College London is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. In Europe and the UK, the college ranks second, and fourth in the world rankings.
The highest level of teaching, ancient traditions and excellent material and technical base allow the college to have such popularity. In addition, the number of Nobel laureates among graduates is taken into account, and the college can boast of this: at University College26 Nobel Prize winners worked and studied in London.
Special mention deserves the fact that it was the University College that became the first institution of higher education, which began to accept students regardless of their beliefs, race and religion.
Early history
University College began its history in 1826 under the name of the University of London. However, ten years later, a new institution emerged as a result of the merger of the University of London and Queen's University.
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 structure of the university was supplemented by the newly created School of Fine Arts, and seven years later the university began teaching 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 for the British education system.
In the post-war period, the school began to publish the first student magazine, and in 1959 the world's first Institute for the Study of Jewish Culture was founded. In 1956, the college had its own spacelaboratory.
Remarkably, the first email was also sent from a laboratory at the University of London in 1973. By that time, the college had been part of the university for over 100 years.
University in the new millennium
In the 21st century, the university college continued to actively develop various scientific areas. The college was the first and only academic institution to establish a center for the study of crime. Named after slain British journalist Jill Dando, the center is developing programs to help reduce international criminal activity.
In 2003, Imperial College London also opened a center for the study of nanotechnology, one of the world's first specialized institutions.
Despite the highest quality of education, the merits of graduates and professors, as well as a rich history, University College received the right to award its own degrees only in 2005 on the personal order of Elizabeth ll. In the same year, the institution acquired a new clinic, in which students do internships, and scientists conduct research that is extremely important for modern science.
Interdisciplinary research and new departments
The college pays great attention to the development of new areas of science based on an interdisciplinary approach. Created at the beginning of the 21st century, the biomedical faculty has become a platform fordevelopment of new technologies and strategies, both in education and science.
In 2006, the Institute of Child He alth was organized, which became the largest in the new faculty, and a year later the Cancer Research Center appeared at the university. Both divisions carry out intensive scientific research and unique operations.
University campus
The main campus of the college is located in the London Borough of Bloomsbury. It houses 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 students 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 hostel at University College London. The building with the student rooms is of particular value.
The largest dormitory is Ramsey Hall, which was built in 1964 by architect Maxwell Fry. The residential student house is located on Maple Street in the very center 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 is hired to clean the common areas.
Cultural and extra-curricular life of the university
The college has numerous cultural institutions,allowing students to spend time usefully for study and intellectual development.
The educational institution includes the Museum of Pathology at University College London (UCL), the Bloomsbury Theater, the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archeology, the Museum of Zoology and the Museum of Fine Arts.
The collection of the Museum of Egyptian Archeology contains more than 80,000 exhibits, including Fayum portraits, tablets and various ceramics. The pearls of the collection are two lions from the temple of the god of fertility Ming. Fragments of the list of pharaohs of the 5th 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, an Egyptian dancer costume, two elegant long-sleeved robes, 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 is a British university. In addition, even the ability to pay for expensive tuition does not guarantee the acceptance of documents, since the highest requirements are placed on the applicant.
For admission to one of the many bachelor's programs, a prospective student must demonstrate:
- certificate with high marks;
- Fundation certificate, indicating the mastery of the knowledge necessary to study at a British university;
- IELTS certificate with a score of at least 6.5.
For admission to the magistracyyou will need a bachelor's degree, a language certificate and at least two letters of recommendation from academic supervisors from the 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 fees. A year of study at the master's level costs from 16,000 to 20,500 pounds (about 20.5 - 26.2 thousand dollars).
