The Student Room Group

Anyone currently/recently studied civil eng at ucl?

I currently have an offer for civil engineering at ucl and I’m very happy but I have some doubts. I’ve heard that the quality of engineering courses at ucl isn’t good compared to other top unis in the uk due to: the course being too groupwork focused, the lecturers not being very helpful, the teaching style leaving students without support. I know about how good of a uni ucl is but I wanted to know if these things affected you. Also, how is the work life balance for you?

I also have an offer from Imperial.
Reply 1
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Reply 2
Original post by a5k1ng
I currently have an offer for civil engineering at ucl and I’m very happy but I have some doubts. I’ve heard that the quality of engineering courses at ucl isn’t good compared to other top unis in the uk due to: the course being too groupwork focused, the lecturers not being very helpful, the teaching style leaving students without support. I know about how good of a uni ucl is but I wanted to know if these things affected you. Also, how is the work life balance for you?
I also have an offer from Imperial.

I’m currently on this course and I think a big thing is that UCL does not specialise in engineering. But I will say that you don’t feel it. There all the support and facilities when you need them. I think if you are purely focused on the academic aspect then attending imperial is a much better choice as they specialise in engineering.
Honestly most of the lecturers are pretty eh. But they upload lecture notes and previously recorded lectures so you can basically learn the content at home.
Civil eng at UCL is very group work based and it can be a pain when members are not receptive but some lecturers will discuss these concerns with you and sometimes set up meetings to discuss this and reduce their mark.
If you don’t procrastinate (like me) then the work life balance is pretty good. I went through first year with a part time job and freely going out with friends when I wanted to.
However things can get stressful when deadlines overlap and you have exams.
If u have any other questions feel free to ask
Reply 3
Original post by Jjmhgvygv
I’m currently on this course and I think a big thing is that UCL does not specialise in engineering. But I will say that you don’t feel it. There all the support and facilities when you need them. I think if you are purely focused on the academic aspect then attending imperial is a much better choice as they specialise in engineering.
Honestly most of the lecturers are pretty eh. But they upload lecture notes and previously recorded lectures so you can basically learn the content at home.
Civil eng at UCL is very group work based and it can be a pain when members are not receptive but some lecturers will discuss these concerns with you and sometimes set up meetings to discuss this and reduce their mark.
If you don’t procrastinate (like me) then the work life balance is pretty good. I went through first year with a part time job and freely going out with friends when I wanted to.
However things can get stressful when deadlines overlap and you have exams.
If u have any other questions feel free to ask
Yeah I think the negatives of UCL might’ve been exaggerated, it still is a top uni. The thing is even though imperial may have a stronger course, I’m not sure if its worth the significantly more difficult workload for 4 years.

In what sense are you saying imperial is better, is it the course content and teaching? And if so, how much does that matter down the line if I don’t plan to go into a phd/academia and am more focused on working as an engineer? Does imperial open up more higher paying opportunities?
Reply 4
Original post by a5k1ng
Yeah I think the negatives of UCL might’ve been exaggerated, it still is a top uni. The thing is even though imperial may have a stronger course, I’m not sure if its worth the significantly more difficult workload for 4 years.
In what sense are you saying imperial is better, is it the course content and teaching? And if so, how much does that matter down the line if I don’t plan to go into a phd/academia and am more focused on working as an engineer? Does imperial open up more higher paying opportunities?

Although UCL also does, I think imperial would just in general have more direct engineering facilities and connections as they are more engineering focused and are ranked higher for engineering in the UK. In general I just think because of the difficult nature of an imperial degree it is also more prestigious. Tbh I don’t know too much beyond this so you should do your research but if you work hard you will do well and get far and to the same place regardless of where you go because at the end of the day they’re both good unis.
Reply 5
Original post by Jjmhgvygv
Although UCL also does, I think imperial would just in general have more direct engineering facilities and connections as they are more engineering focused and are ranked higher for engineering in the UK. In general I just think because of the difficult nature of an imperial degree it is also more prestigious. Tbh I don’t know too much beyond this so you should do your research but if you work hard you will do well and get far and to the same place regardless of where you go because at the end of the day they’re both good unis.

Alright. Thanks for all your help

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