The Student Room Group

Advice on Picking a London University

I've been accepted into the following universities for English and Film. I'm English but have lived abroad my whole life, so I'd love somewhere quite diverse and with people from different backgrounds. Also I'd obviously like somewhere with good facilities, lecturers, student support, etc. I'm having difficulty choosing and will not be able to visit any of the campuses irl before the decision deadline. If you are a student at any of these places, please give me insight on what it's like to go to school there! Or if anyone knows any useful websites for info (Like Uni compare). Thanks!
1. City University of London
2. Royal Holloway
3. Queen Mary University
4. Northeastern University London

Reply 1

Original post by a.oak
I've been accepted into the following universities for English and Film. I'm English but have lived abroad my whole life, so I'd love somewhere quite diverse and with people from different backgrounds. Also I'd obviously like somewhere with good facilities, lecturers, student support, etc. I'm having difficulty choosing and will not be able to visit any of the campuses irl before the decision deadline. If you are a student at any of these places, please give me insight on what it's like to go to school there! Or if anyone knows any useful websites for info (Like Uni compare). Thanks!
1. City University of London
2. Royal Holloway
3. Queen Mary University
4. Northeastern University London

I hadn't heard of number 4 until your post. Do any experienced users such as @McGinger @Admit-One or @PQ know anything about it?
Original post by ageshallnot
I hadn't heard of number 4 until your post. Do any experienced users such as @McGinger @Admit-One or @PQ know anything about it?


Used to be called New College of the Humanities. Ironically offered few humanities courses and mostly business/econ/related type things as I recall.

As far as I could tell it was a failed attempt to create a new university from the ground up and so had to get acquired by Northeastern University from the US.

I'm skeptical of the how much value added one would get from a degree there vs the other options, personally.
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 3

Original post by artful_lounger
Used to be called New College of the Humanities. Ironically offered few humanities courses and mostly business/econ/related type things as I recall.
As far as I could tell it was a failed attempt to create a new university from the ground up and so had to get acquired by Northeastern University from the US.
I'm skeptical of the how much value added one would get from a degree there vs the other options, personally.

Oh, that place!
Original post by ageshallnot
Oh, that place!

I had the exact same process first time I heard of the rebranded name :laugh:

Reply 5

Original post by artful_lounger
Used to be called New College of the Humanities. Ironically offered few humanities courses and mostly business/econ/related type things as I recall.
As far as I could tell it was a failed attempt to create a new university from the ground up and so had to get acquired by Northeastern University from the US.
I'm skeptical of the how much value added one would get from a degree there vs the other options, personally.

I get your skepticism tbh... For me the main selling points are the central London Campus (which seem to have good facilities?) and the possibility to do a semester/year at Northeastern Boston.

Reply 6

No facilities. Its tiny.
And it isnt a great 'student experience'.

And you'll spend the rest of your life explaining why you have a weird degree from a Uni no-one has heard of.
Original post by a.oak
I get your skepticism tbh... For me the main selling points are the central London Campus (which seem to have good facilities?) and the possibility to do a semester/year at Northeastern Boston.

There are plenty of central London universities otherwise which are arguably better (UCL) or similar (SOAS), which may well have some relevant year abroad options in the US. I think going somewhere on the possibility of going to Northeastern for a term or a year, is a bit of a gamble. Not sure what facilities you are referring to, but it doesn't even appear to have its own library which seems a bit worrying...

Reply 8

Northeastern is the London annexe of a mid ranking US university. It is the reincarnation of the philosopher Anthony Grayling's either noble or daft attempt to found an Oxford college in London. It failed to attract funding, or Oxford calibre students, ran out of money, and was bought by Northeastern. It occupies a floor and a half of a modern office building near Tower Bridge and does not even have its own coffee shop.

If being amidst the cool and gritty swirl of London matters, City and QM are the ones. Or try UAL. Royal Holloway is in Egham, a commuter town outside London.

Reply 9

Royal Holloway isn't really a "London uni" it's right on the edge, in a small town called Egham. You'd need a 30min train to go to proper London. However it's a gorgeous campus, I've been there a couple times now and everyone was lovely! It seems quite diverse too with lots of multi-cultural and different faith societies. Id recommend it :smile:

Reply 10

Original post by artful_lounger
Used to be called New College of the Humanities. Ironically offered few humanities courses and mostly business/econ/related type things as I recall.
As far as I could tell it was a failed attempt to create a new university from the ground up and so had to get acquired by Northeastern University from the US.
I'm skeptical of the how much value added one would get from a degree there vs the other options, personally.

Hi there! We were formally known as New College of the Humanities until we decided to become part of Northeastern University's global campus network! We are the London campus in a network of 13 campuses across the globe! Since becoming Northeastern we're able to provide a completely unique student experience compared to other London universities!

We're located in St Katherine's Dock, right by Tower Bridge meaning you'll be able to experience all the London has to offer! Our undergraduate degrees follow an interdisciplinary approach, this means you'll be able to select elective courses making your degree completely unique to you and 'customiseable' this process is all guided by advisors to ensure you get the best possible educational outcomes. We offer study abroad options to go and visit either Oakland or Boston undergraduate campuses, allowing you to travel, see new cultures and meet other students within the Northeastern Global Campus Network. Our degrees also provide opportunity for work experience that can be credited and go towards your final degree.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask! :smile:

Reply 11

Original post by McGinger
No facilities. Its tiny.
And it isnt a great 'student experience'.
And you'll spend the rest of your life explaining why you have a weird degree from a Uni no-one has heard of.

Hi there!

Our university is small compared to others but for some students a smaller close-knit community is what they're looking for, particularly for international students coming to London for the first time! We're part of a larger network of global campuses and our facilities and opportunities we can provide for students are ever-growing. Our nearest station is London Bridge, allowing students to explore the whole city right form their doorstep.

We know you might not have heard of us before but we've got a lot to offer! Feel free to ask any questions and good luck with all you university applications! 😄

Reply 12

The nearest station is in fact Tower Bridge. It's a bit of a gloss to say that NCH decided to become part of NU. NCH was underfunded and was rescued by NU. This isn't a bad thing, because NCH now has the support to continue. Are there any plans to extend the space used, and to include catering and/or a library? Does the university have accommodation?

Reply 13

Original post by NU London
Hi there!
Our university is small compared to others but for some students a smaller close-knit community is what they're looking for, particularly for international students coming to London for the first time! We're part of a larger network of global campuses and our facilities and opportunities we can provide for students are ever-growing. Our nearest station is London Bridge, allowing students to explore the whole city right form their doorstep.
We know you might not have heard of us before but we've got a lot to offer! Feel free to ask any questions and good luck with all you university applications! 😄

With no academic credibilty.

Reply 14

That's a bit harsh. Everywhere has to start somewhere. Grayling's project was ambitious, and it did not succeed, but now Northeastern has taken over things might improve. Northeastern isn't Northwestern, but it's an OK university in the American context.

Reply 15

Original post by Stiffy Byng
That's a bit harsh. Everywhere has to start somewhere. Grayling's project was ambitious, and it did not succeed, but now Northeastern has taken over things might improve. Northeastern isn't Northwestern, but it's an OK university in the American context.

Hi there!

Our closest station are Tower Hill tube station and London Bridge (overground & underground), our campus in London is rapidly expanding, we have a new space called One Portsoken opening this September located in the city, a short walk from our other campus building located in St Katherine's Docks. We're excited to see our university campus expand to become a city campus surrounded by beautiful London landmarks and nearby to our accomodation partners. We provide students with experiential learning opportunities, true to Northeastern's ethos across the Global Campus Network. Being located in London provides us with a unique set of teaching opportunities using London as our classroom and work experience placements that have the potential to become credited and recognised upon graduation.

Feel free to ask any questions, more information on our location and accomodation can be found here - https://www.nulondon.ac.uk/student-life/campus/

Quick Reply