UCL or Durham for English BA?

Hi everyone, I am choosing my firm option for an English undergrad degree and am looking for advice about whether UCL or Durham is the better pick? I know that this is very subjective depending on the person but I know relatively little about each university/course so was wondering if anyone had any advice/personal experience with either the course or uni. For me, UCL is closer to home and Durham's further away, the offer for Durham is slightly higher, and I have heard that UCL is better respected for employers (though of course this is also subjective). Mainly, I don't want to discount Durham because its potentially harder to get the grades and harder in terms of settling into university life because I'd be further from home, but I also am wondering if UCL is just the better choice. Anyway, any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks

Durham is collegiate so you'd have lots more support and sense of close community there than UCL. But if you love big city hustle and bustle with that 24/7 feel UCL might be better. Both are good unis with high workloads so I doubt you'd have much opportunity to go home in term time so not sure how important physical distance from your home should be. What is important is that you like the location as it will be your home. If you haven't already then visit both and really get a feel for accommodation, social life, sports, facilities cost of living etc. I would advise always starting with course content as that's really important but if there is not much to choose from think about where you'll feel happiest for the next few years but definitely visit them both as its a big decision and only you will know what feels right for you. My son tried living in London at a summer school for 4 nights and found it ok in that he loved being near museums and iconic places but decided it wasn't for him as it was too busy, too big and felt he might be a feel a bit lonely there (his course was similar at UCL and Durham). When he went to Durham he loved the place, the compactness, accessibility of libraries/study spaces and the student centred feel stood out for him so he's chosen that and rejected UCL....but loads of people will be the exact opposite of him so visit and go with whatever feels right for you. Good luck.

Hi everyone, I am choosing my firm option for an English undergrad degree and am looking for advice about whether UCL or Durham is the better pick? I know that this is very subjective depending on the person but I know relatively little about each university/course so was wondering if anyone had any advice/personal experience with either the course or uni. For me, UCL is closer to home and Durham's further away, the offer for Durham is slightly higher, and I have heard that UCL is better respected for employers (though of course this is also subjective). Mainly, I don't want to discount Durham because its potentially harder to get the grades and harder in terms of settling into university life because I'd be further from home, but I also am wondering if UCL is just the better choice. Anyway, any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks

Don't know if this will help but personally I chose UCL over Durham this year because of the tutorials, and everything I've heard about the department and its reputation has been really good

hey I have this exact same debate! particularly interested in job prospects...does it matter that UCL is really highly regarded? will going to durham actually impact me that much compared to UCL?

Heyy I'm glad it's not just me thinking about this!! I've just went up to see durham and thought it was really nice, especially with the collegiate system it feels really welcoming and like a proper community. But yh I was debating the same thing cause the rankings seem tipped in UCL's favour and idk if I'm right but maybe academically its better too? Hopefully there will be a UCL offer holder day (tho I havent heard anything about one yet) so I can compare them both side by side.

Heyy I'm glad it's not just me thinking about this!! I've just went up to see durham and thought it was really nice, especially with the collegiate system it feels really welcoming and like a proper community. But yh I was debating the same thing cause the rankings seem tipped in UCL's favour and idk if I'm right but maybe academically its better too? Hopefully there will be a UCL offer holder day (tho I havent heard anything about one yet) so I can compare them both side by side.

I saw durham on Monday too, I liked it but am wondering if its a little too small for me...but then London is huge so not sure haha

yes me too I would love a UCL offer holder day!

Hi everyone, I am choosing my firm option for an English undergrad degree and am looking for advice about whether UCL or Durham is the better pick? I know that this is very subjective depending on the person but I know relatively little about each university/course so was wondering if anyone had any advice/personal experience with either the course or uni. For me, UCL is closer to home and Durham's further away, the offer for Durham is slightly higher, and I have heard that UCL is better respected for employers (though of course this is also subjective). Mainly, I don't want to discount Durham because its potentially harder to get the grades and harder in terms of settling into university life because I'd be further from home, but I also am wondering if UCL is just the better choice. Anyway, any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks

One word...UCL!!! 😉

why!! please could you tell us more...any info would be appreciated

why!! please could you tell us more...any info would be appreciated

World Rankings: UCL 9th and Durham 89th
UK Times Higher Education Supplement: UCL 4th and Durham 22nd
Also, UCL is near Tottenham Court Road, so if you're commuting on the Elizabeth line, you will get there quickly.
Furthermore, you will be amongst a cosmopolitan and very 'diverse' student body.
UCL is arguably the best overall university after Oxford and Cambridge but nevertheless Durham is not far behind.
UCL has slightly better links with graduate employers as well:
BlackRock Group Ltd, British Council, Clifford Chance LLP, Culture24, HarperCollins Publishers, ITN, KPMG LLP, News UK, Portobello ProductionsLtd., Reach plc, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, Sky, Teach First and Waterstones Booksellers Ltd.
However, Durham graduates are not in as good positions as UCL due to UCL being here in London. 🙂 Graduates progress into a diverse range of careers and sectors, including roles in arts and theatre management, broadcasting, publishing and journalism, technical writing, business, marketing and advertising, teaching, higher education, law, the third sector and government.
Durham is A*AA and UCL is easier of an offer at AAA. 😉 lol
UCL has excellent transport links to the English department with Goodge Street and Russell Square nearby and lots of places to socialise and drink coffee or juices.
UCL is in the 'heart' of London and you will enjoy it much more at night especially so. Durham, on the other hand, is much quieter.
I would choose UCL, but you could choose Durham if you prefer a much more close knit community of students and a quieter environment.
Last but not least, UCL has the Waterstones Gower Street bookstore just a few minutes from the English department and you could sit down inside and read a lot of books and even buy at discounted prices. It is also the largest academic bookstore in Europe.

Hi sorry to be intrusive but could I ask what ur stats r? (gcses and a-level predicted) bc im thinking of applying to durham and UCL for english and want to know what successful applicants who got an offer may have gotten (im in year 12). Totally understand if not!

Hey no worries at all 🙂 For GCSEs I got straight 9s (I did 10 subjects) and for A-Level I was predicted A*A*A. Good luck for your applications and hope you get what you want!!

Wow you did so well, great results! 😮😮 Did you apply to oxbridge as well?