ULIP Experience 2022/2023

Heyy all! Just wanted to ask if there’s anyone currently enrolled in International Politics with ULIP and how is it coming along. How’s your learning experience, living in Paris and if the small cohort size is better.

Hello!

I am currently at ULIP! It is definitely an interesting place, I wouldn’t say it is like a typical UK university experience. However, it is pretty cool, living in Paris is a big adjustment but so worth it. As a city it’s a great place to live and makes the whole experience. Small cohort is quite bizarre but it means you get to know everyone - lecturers and seminar leaders too, so it is quite a close knit environment. Let me know if you want to know more or have any questions!

@LeprechaunPCM

Hi thanks for your reply.

ive actually just withdrawn from University of Bristol due to circumstances in which I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish my studies. Anyways, I’m considering ULIP because it’s in Paris and I have a huge love for the culture and seem to never get bored of the place everytime I visit. Are there mature students? What’s the age group of the individuals there? I’m 25 this year lol

so with it being small year groups, think ours (1st year) is just less than 90, there are fewer students generally, and as such, it’s difficult to judge year to year, with just a couple of students making it a big swing iygwim. we have quite a lot of people who’ve taken at least 1 year out, i know a couple with 2/3 between a levels and coming to ulip, but there’s a few who are a few years older in the year above us.

if you like the city, and you like politics, very specifically international politics being key, then i think it’s a good choice.

lectures are interesting, not much choice specifically in first year, and the formats ulip uses are different, quickly come to have an awareness of most people on your course, and more broadly in your year.

Thanks for this! Are there options to study French that’s not part of your examined curriculum?

so with it being small year groups, think ours (1st year) is just less than 90, there are fewer students generally, and as such, it’s difficult to judge year to year, with just a couple of students making it a big swing iygwim. we have quite a lot of people who’ve taken at least 1 year out, i know a couple with 2/3 between a levels and coming to ulip, but there’s a few who are a few years older in the year above us.

if you like the city, and you like politics, very specifically international politics being key, then i think it’s a good choice.

lectures are interesting, not much choice specifically in first year, and the formats ulip uses are different, quickly come to have an awareness of most people on your course, and more broadly in your year.

Hello!

I am currently at ULIP! It is definitely an interesting place, I wouldn’t say it is like a typical UK university experience. However, it is pretty cool, living in Paris is a big adjustment but so worth it. As a city it’s a great place to live and makes the whole experience. Small cohort is quite bizarre but it means you get to know everyone - lecturers and seminar leaders too, so it is quite a close knit environment. Let me know if you want to know more or have any questions!

@LeprechaunPCM

Hello from the United States, @LeprechaunPCM! I am so interested in applying to ULIP for International Politics but I am hesitant due to the lack of student-based information out there. I have looked over ALL of the official marketing materials and enjoy its unusual approach to learn International Politics through culture, art, etc. I am applying on UCAS this Fall 2023 for 2024 entry and have already received my qualifications and I will have the equivalent of 7 A Levels (AAAAAAA), so I am passing up other decent options in the UK if I go with ULIP, and desperately need your opinion... Am I making a huge mistake by passing up the "full college experience" of another campus based uni? Or the prestige of another UK uni that is highly ranked? Why does ULIP say it is a "Community College" on its Facebook and Social Media pages? (that is considered the lowest form of college in America where anyone can sign up to attend). I am currently homeschooled / in virtual school so joining a small cohort will not be the worst thing ever. I must also mention that the International Student fees at ULIP are super inexpensive — only £12,000 a year in tuition compared to £24,000 everywhere else! My family CAN afford this. I do plan to get my Masters in Politics or Journalism in the UK as well. My goal in life is to be a political journalist writing books for a living... Perhaps being an American Politics journalist for the BBC. My top choice university is Oxford, my second choice is a tie between Royal Holloway, UCL, LSE or ULIP. I know those 4 unis are drastically different in every way... But it nags me. How many times in my life would I get to live in PARIS for 3 years??? And the graduation ceremony looks stunning. So, can you please, please, please tell us all the PROS and CONS of ULIP. How are the grades assessed? Why such a high drop out rate? How hard is it to live in Paris if you don't speak French well? Are the ULIP professors good? How would you describe the student body? What is something NO ONE KNOWS about ULIP? What is the greatest thing about ULIP? How will employers view my degree in the UK? Thank you in advance for everything,

Hi! Sorry for the slow response, I am a ULIP student in my first year, however I am transferring universities for second and third year. Living in Paris is definitely a great experience and i’ve loved exploring the city, however the university is not worth it. From the sounds of it you have good grades and high aspirations and I feel you could do better. I know someone who turned down oxford for this and I really wouldn’t do that UNLESS you’re looking to properly learn french. I only study politics and the degree is barely political, the course lacks any decent structure and I think you could learn more online. for example one module this year was “cultural studies” which was just an abomination. I think you need to look really closely at all of these individuals courses modules and decide which appeals to you most. most universities have very similar first year modules so look into 2nd/3rd year to get an idea. ULIP is very history and social studies oriented, so unless that’s something you’re interested I wouldn’t recommend. In terms of employability, ULIP does give you that “international experience” but there is very little help from the university for your next steps post-degree. I understand the fees being an important factor, but i do feel you are just paying for what you get and i wouldn’t say it’s been worth the £9,250 i’ve paid. I know this sounds very pessimistic, but I just want to be honest with you about the kind of experience you could have if you go in solely for the academics. the small cohort hasn’t been bad, i’ve made great friends and have had a great experience, but with this smaller feeling there are less societies and events. I personally don’t regret the last year, however I know i would regret it if I stayed. I hope this helps you, good luck wherever you end up!

Hello, I am just about to finish my first year ar ULIP and im also really considerin transferring like you did, for many of the same reasons as you. I would have to highly agree about the cultural studies module aswell it is a shambles. I was just wondering if you still look back at your transfer as the right move and if you miss Paris.

Hello, I am just about to finish my first year ar ULIP and im also really considerin transferring like you did, for many of the same reasons as you. I would have to highly agree about the cultural studies module aswell it is a shambles. I was just wondering if you still look back at your transfer as the right move and if you miss Paris.