UCL ACCOMODATION Arthur Tattersall

Hey i got an offer for a large single in arthur tattersall. i will be a 2026 undergrad fist year student. Ive seen quite bad stuff about its cleanliness and social life, but its good in terms of location. Does anybody know if the social life is really that bad?

All UCL accommodation have bad reviews. They aren’t really that bad. London is quite expensive, the space is premium so naturally rooms are small and too compact and at the same time pricey so people complain. I have read reviews about all and visited them all. It’s my third year at UCL and I find all of them acceptable.
The only one that is high praise is Astor College. I lived there in my first year, and I did not like it, so don’t bother about the reviews.
The most important thing is that it is practically on campus. You can easily attend all society events in the evening, go to gym at night and still don’t have to walk a lot.

John Tovell is one of the smallest accommodations in UCL with only 40 rooms. It feels like an extension to Arthur Tattersall Hall. In fact, you will have to collect your couriers from Tattersall as the reception for Tovell is common with Tattersall.
Because it’s only 40 rooms, it’s a close knit community and it is more like a townhouse than apartments. It does not have a lift so pack accordingly.
The small singles are highly compact rooms but you will still get a desk and a wardrobe but you will get under bed storage. I think the small singles are located at 4th floor so it is a workout but you are only 2 min away from UCL main campus. Location is a big plus. Unfortunately, it does not have a common room so people mostly hang in kitchens or UCL campus but most students like to hang in the Student Union area so you won’t have any issues.

Thank you that is really informative! It is very reassuring to hear it is a tight knit community.
Thanks for the heads up - will keep that in mind. When you mean 4th floor I assume you mean the 3rd floor (English terms)?

Sorry, I did mean the 3rd from the ground level.

Proximity to UCL main campus is a huge plus. Don't overthink your accommodation. So long as you are not financially stretched, and your choice is within a comfortable budget. You will all be fine, and you will make a lot of friends. Join clubs and societies, and if it's anything like previous years, you need to sign up for freshers' fair that will be held the weekend of freshers' week.

Thanks! Is Freshers week the first week of term(to just clarify) or a separate week entirely where there are no lectures?

Typically, each term is 5 weeks before reading week, followed by another 5 weeks. Notice that for Term 1, it is 6 weeks before reading week? 😎 Official teaching week commences 5th Oct.
So your tenancy agreement start date should show 26th Sep Sat. This is then the move-in weekend for you.
In other words, freshers week officially starts 28th Sep (indicated as first week of term).