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Does anybody else passionately hate UCL and regrets ever having attended?

22

Just curious, because that's how I feel. Overpriced, terrible facilities (literally no space in classrooms or libraries, people sitting on the floor), strikes, no community, academically average, obsessed with PR and attracting foreign students, full of rich people... and worst of all, a toxic student atmosphere. The student union seems to be full of intolerant and entitled uber-woke kids.

Genuinely so angry with myself for falling for the 'top 10 in the world' rubbish. Would have been happier at Manchester or Glasgow tbh.

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Original post by Snufkin

Just curious, because that's how I feel. Overpriced, terrible facilities (literally no space in classrooms or libraries, people sitting on the floor), strikes, no community, academically average, obsessed with PR and attracting foreign students, full of rich people... and worst of all, a toxic student atmosphere. The student union seems to be full of intolerant and entitled uber-woke kids.
Genuinely so angry with myself for falling for the 'top 10 in the world' rubbish. Would have been happier at Manchester or Glasgow tbh.

DAMN

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

Really, is it at least better than LSE in terms of whatever you had complained?

Reply 3

Anonymous #3

first world problems i guess

Reply 4

Anonymous #4

I feel the same as you OP. I’m a Master’s student at UCL. Some lecturers are cruel people.

Reply 5

The_Architect

18

This is interesting, and a refreshing change from the usual uni review, and I have to say I'd probably hate most of the things on that list too as someone who had UCL high up on my list. But I'm curious what PR stands for and the examples you had in mind for "uber-woke", to see whether I agree or not.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 6

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by The_Architect

This is interesting, and a refreshing change from the usual uni review, and I have to say I'd probably hate most of the things on that list too as someone who had UCL high up on my list. But I'm curious what PR stands for and the examples you had in mind for "uber-woke", to see whether I agree or not.

I assume PR means public relations?

Reply 7

The_Architect

18

Original post by artful_lounger

I assume PR means public relations?

That's what I assumed but doesn't hurt to clarify.

Reply 8

random_matt

20

Getting sucked into rankings will likely always cause issues.

Reply 9

Anonymous #5

is kings like this too? at least in my experience ppl always have said the two are similar.

Reply 10

Anonymous #6

It's the same everywhere. I wouldn't hold it just to one single university. The current government haven't helped. HE is struggling everywhere and only doing what they can to stay afloat.

Reply 11

AnaBaptist

11

Interesting. Thought about applying but decided against it. Too expensive for me to be honest but kind of glad reading this.

Reply 12

Physician

15

Original post by Snufkin

Just curious, because that's how I feel. Overpriced, terrible facilities (literally no space in classrooms or libraries, people sitting on the floor), strikes, no community, academically average, obsessed with PR and attracting foreign students, full of rich people... and worst of all, a toxic student atmosphere. The student union seems to be full of intolerant and entitled uber-woke kids.
Genuinely so angry with myself for falling for the 'top 10 in the world' rubbish. Would have been happier at Manchester or Glasgow tbh.

What you are feeling is very common at all top universities. There is a kind of popularity contest going on all the time, whereby students tend to gravitate towards only particular types, and others seem to get the short straw of uni life. The student union is the worst place to meet anyone at UCL. Joining lots of societies and sticking with the ones you like will be the only way to get involved.

UCL is a very large university, with buildings scattered all over London. Most of them you will never even see, especially the new campus in Stratford. You can't only judge UCL based on what you see in Bloomsbury, as that accounts for only a fairly small part of the uni.

Reply 13

Keith S.

4

Original post by Snufkin

Just curious, because that's how I feel. Overpriced, terrible facilities (literally no space in classrooms or libraries, people sitting on the floor), strikes, no community, academically average, obsessed with PR and attracting foreign students, full of rich people... and worst of all, a toxic student atmosphere. The student union seems to be full of intolerant and entitled uber-woke kids.
Genuinely so angry with myself for falling for the 'top 10 in the world' rubbish. Would have been happier at Manchester or Glasgow tbh.

Yes. I'm a lecturer. My colleagues and I loathe the place. It's pure corporate evil. You're not alone.

Reply 14

Physician

15

Original post by Keith S.

Yes. I'm a lecturer. My colleagues and I loathe the place. It's pure corporate evil. You're not alone.

I studied at UCL, and unfortunately there are a small minority of evil academics at the uni, but they have an enormous number of them who are great people. I really don't think this is unique to UCL. It will be the same at any large top ranking global uni, including Oxbridge, Yale, Chicago, Imperial College etc. Elitism and evil narcissist academics is inevitable in World leading universities, and in professions like Medicine.

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 15

Keith S.

4

Original post by Physician

I studied at UCL, and unfortunately there are a small minority of evil academics at the uni, but they have an enormous number of them who are great people. I really don't think this is unique to UCL. It will be the same at any large top ranking global uni, including Oxbridge, Yale, Chicago, Imperial College etc. Elitism and evil narcissist academics is inevitable in World leading universities, and in professions like Medicine.

The academics are helpless. It's the management that's pure evil.

Reply 16

Keith S.

4

Original post by Anonymous

I feel the same as you OP. I’m a Master’s student at UCL. Some lecturers are cruel people.

95% of UCL masters students will be Chinese in 24/25. This is from the horse's mouth.

Reply 17

Anonymous #7

Original post by Snufkin

Just curious, because that's how I feel. Overpriced, terrible facilities (literally no space in classrooms or libraries, people sitting on the floor), strikes, no community, academically average, obsessed with PR and attracting foreign students, full of rich people... and worst of all, a toxic student atmosphere. The student union seems to be full of intolerant and entitled uber-woke kids.
Genuinely so angry with myself for falling for the 'top 10 in the world' rubbish. Would have been happier at Manchester or Glasgow tbh.

Sorry you're feeling like this, I'm currently in my final year at the uni and I do think it is overpriced. Re: facilities I do think UCL has good facilities the issue is they are too many students at times especially in the SC. I enjoy the student atmosphere and sense of community at the uni, but I know this is down to individual experience.

Reply 18

Anonymous #8

I hate it here - my undergrad at KCL was so much better lmao

Reply 19

Physician

15

All of the main London unis (LSE, Imperial, UCL, KCL, QMUL) have the same problem over lack of a proper student experience. They are more geared towards providing a great research community and great research facilities. If you want a great student experience, don't go to one of these London universities for undergraduate studies. If you are still keen to have one or more of these great universities on your CV, go there for a master's or PhD instead.

(edited 9 months ago)

Does anybody else passionately hate UCL and regrets ever having attended?

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