Life in London

University College London

Contact:

UCL (University College London)

University of London

Gower Street

London

WC1E 6BT

Tel: (020) 7387 2000

Online:

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/

http://www.uclunion.org/

Interesting Facts:

64% of students at UCL are undergraduates

UCL has done very well in recent research assessments, beating Oxford and Cambridge in many subject areas. They also have 18 Nobel Prizes under their belt.

Brett Anderson (Suede), Alexander Graham Bell (Inventor of the Telephone), Rabbi Lionel Blue (Writer and Broadcaster), Coldplay ( The Entire Band), Francis Crick ( Discovered DNA), Jonathan Dimbleby (Broadcaster), Mahatma Gandhi (Indian Politician), David Gower (Cricketer), Jonathan Miller (Writer and Director), Sir Eduardo Paolozzi ( Artist and Sculptor), Marie Stopes (Birth Control Pioneer), Victoria Barnsley, Harper Collins, Digby Jones (Confederation of British Industry), Mark Lawson (Writer and Broadcaster) Christopher Nolan (Film Director), Robert Browning ( Poet), Ross Wright (Serious Fraud Squad), Alex Comfort (Author -The Joy of Sex), David Baddiel (Comedian), Ricky Gervais (Comedian/Actor), Raj Persaud (Psychiatrist) and Jonathan Ross (Broadcaster) all attended UCL.

Guides:

UCL libraries hold more than 1,500,000 books, with over 1,500 workstations. The Main Library is under the dome at Gower Street, while the new Medical Library boasts some of the best medical resources in Europe. There is also a large Science Library, and 12 specialist libraries. Many departments also have collections. UCL students, like all University of London students, can use the main University’s Senate House library. There are a quite a few computer areas, but these tend to be in the Libraries. There is some 24 hour access, but not in the main library facilities. The computer facilities are quite up to date and many have flat screen monitors. Some of the new or renovated Halls also have Internet access and there are plans to extend this further. UCL have many sports facilities, but these sometimes come at a price. They own Shenley which is Watford’s training ground. The Argentinean national team also played here before playing England. The facilities boast 10 floodlit pitches for football, rugby, cricket, etc. 6 grass tennis courts, and some hard courts. There are also brand new changing rooms, a bar and conference rooms. The Bloomsbury Fitness Centre was refurbished in the summer of 2003 and renamed Bloomsbury Fitness. The membership fee is £120 pa for UCL students, but the facilities are quite good and certainly cheaper than other London health clubs. On the whole, disabled facilities are quite good with ramps and lifts in most places. However, this can depend greatly on the department. Some further changes can be made if required. The University handle counselling with 3 full time advisors and part-time psychiatrists. The Student Union has a Rights and Advice Centre, which can advise on topics like housing, drugs, immigration and finance. There are also a number of welfare groups, like the LGB Society. Parking is very expensive so it is best to take public transport which, despite some complaints, is quick and easy. The Union have also negotiated good deals with London transport for student travel cards etc. The University has recently downsized its retail offering by removing the travel shop and making the copy centre for union business only. However, there is still the well stocked general shop called Bear Necessities and a hairdresser. There is a huge branch of Waterstones nearby, just across the street from ULU. There is also a second hand bookshop on the 3rd floor every Friday. This is particularly good for English, Classics and History students. There is a NatWest Bank on the main college site, as well as a HSBC cash machine. In the Student Union there is a Lloyd’s cash machine. There are branches of every major UK bank within walking distance.

Where is my nearest…

…PUB?

The Northumberland Arms is 0.19 miles away on Tottenham Court Road.

…CLUB?

0.36 miles away on Goodge Street is The Capricorn.

…CINEMA?

The Horse Hospital is 0.42 miles away on Colonnade.

…TAKEAWAY?

There is a Subway on Melton Street just 0.18 miles from the university.

…OFF LICENCE?

0.50 miles away is Nicolas (UK) Ltd on Great Portland Street.

…GYM/ LEISURE CENTRE?

The nearest is Energy Base on Malet Street 0.17 miles from the university.

…SUPERMARKET?

Superby is the nearest supermarket 0.20 miles away on Grafton Way but there is also a Sainsbury’s Local just 0.16 miles from Uni on Tottenham Court Road.

…SHOPPING CENTRE?

Chocolat Chocolat is just 0.42 miles from the University in the Brunswick Centre.

…DENTIST?

Jones is 0.07 miles away on Gower Place.

…DOCTOR?

Just 0.10 miles from the university on Grafton Way is Dr M Adifeshiah.

…OPTICIANS?

0.17 miles from the main university on Malet Street is University Vision Ltd.

…CHEMIST?

Agincourt Trading is 0.20 miles away on Tottenham Court Road.