loughborough architecture or ucl architecture?

UCL is I gather quite arty, although have had some serious culture issues that led to an inquiry of some kind a year or two ago...

was that the mental health stuff? how some students weren't happy there because of certain tutors?

Was a bit more extensive than that: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/jun/ucl-apologises-and-takes-action-following-investigation-bartlett-school-architecture

hey guys! i just got my offer for ucl architecture, but im not 100 percent if i want to firm it yet because i really liked loughborough! which one is more artsy? i just want some advice on which one to pick ☹️

Have you been to the offer-holder days?

i liked the course but i didn't like certain sections we would have to learn.

If you haven't already done so, make sure you read the bits about the unit system in sections F and H of the Bartlett report, cause that's a huge part of y2 and 3... worryingly I personally couldn't find anything recent online about UCL improving anything specific about the course, just a generic 'we are shocked by the allegations and will take action' article from back in summer 2022 right after the report came out. if you do go to a UCL offer holder day make sure you know the report and drill em hard on what they've actually done in response, cause that's 3 years of your life at least you'll spend there
Maybe you could reach out to current Bartlett and Loughborough students on LinkedIn and get some firsthand (and hopefully unbiased) opinions on each uni and the course as well.
also out of curiosity - what bits of the Loughborough course didn't you like?

In theory, all RIBA-accredited courses need to cover the same content (design, tech, history, etc.). The ethos of the school and staff specialisms will influence how that content is delivered.

hey! i've done quite a bit of research on the unit system and i love the idea of it as it gives so much scope, i also find it a bit concerning that there is nothing on it either! however i do really love the course. i didn't like the sound of sticking to one theme a year and the tectonics sections we would have to go over 👍

right so I don't mean to be rude here but could I ask very specifically - have you read what is written about the unit system in the Howlett Brown report? pages 51-59. just cause you mention that you like the idea of the unit system, but the report highlights some very concerning things about how the units are actually run, and I just want to make sure you've got all the facts on both sides and not just the glossy PR text on the ucl website lol. things like multiple rounds of interviews to decide what unit you're allocated, competitiveness/ego among tutors impacting students, demeaning behaviour during (some units') crits, etc. stuff that might seem nitpicky to think about now but could seriously impact your daily life once you're actually at uni ygm. if you have read the report then apologies for being patronising lol - and tbf, seeing as you're good enough to have made it through UCL's admissions process and got the offer, on top of obviously liking the course, you'll more than likely do great there anyway

hey! no no it's fine! i have read about the interviewing system and how it can be stressful and i believe in the recent years they've changed it to make it less stressful and patronising. i think they don't do the interviews anymore and it's just based off grades if u get in ur first pick unit when u rank them. i also believe it was particular tutors, as i watched glory kuk video, she was a student who went there and said she had no struggles with the tutors but it doesn't mean other had any, she also talks about the course in full detail. i may wait a bit till i fully make my decision but atm it's swaying towards ucl, the only think putting it down is that report

ahh ok that's good to hear, good luck with your decision

hey guys! i just got my offer for ucl architecture, but im not 100 percent if i want to firm it yet because i really liked loughborough! which one is more artsy? i just want some advice on which one to pick ☹️