UCL accommodation 2024

[Joesmum1981]

My DD casually mentioned that they are putting UCL on their UCAS form for 2024 entry.
I wondered how competitive it was to get ucl halls. I’d rather they were able to walk to college rather than get a tube.

The UCL website isn’t very helpful as it lists the different accommodation but as far as I can see there’s no map. I’ve also heard that it’s a nightmare to get accommodation as well after the first year.  Presumably you can stay in private halls for all three years?

any advice or pointers really welcome. I’ve been scared by all the things I’ve read about students not being able to get accommodation or it’s miles away or costs a fortune so I want to make a plan well in advance.

I’m leaving it to my DH to help with actually getting a place there!

thanks

DS is starting at UCL this year, he had no issue getting halls but I don’t know how common / uncommon this is. It is VERY expensive though!

I’m not sure you can stay for all 3 years, I think it’s really only first years unless there are extenuating circumstances. I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.

Sorry I meant I’m leaving to my DH to help with the personal statement /application side!

https://www.london.ac.uk/halls/browse-our-halls

UCL is part of the University of London and so has access to the intercollegiate halls.

UCL has both its own halls and the intercollegiate halls. I stayed in the intercollegiate halls when I went, you couldn’t express a preference for UCL only halls when I went. That said the intercollegiate halls are mostly also within walking distance of the uni buildings.

You can’t stay in halls for all 3 years, I think you can apply for a second year. Most people rent privately after the 1st year though.

Thanks all really useful advice. I guess I went to a campus uni and everyone in the halls were from that uni and it was much smaller so I am trying to get my head round how it works - and the cost!

@HairyMaclary so were you able to pick or rank the halls? Did you get what you wanted I think it will be only feasible to do if we can pick a cheaper non en suite (but definitely not a twin room)

You can specify the type of room I think so if you haven’t put down twin you wouldn’t get allocated one. Similarly en-suite, catered/non-catered. I think even if you don’t get the halls of your choosing everyone I knew had these preferences met

My eldest dd is at UCL and was allocated halls in Victoria for her first year. After an initial panic about the distance, it actually turned out fine and she tubed/bused for the year. She had her preferences met within the budget she set too. She was on the ball quickly before the start of her second year and secured a private flat in Camden with 2 friends for her second year. really expensive but she made it work for the year by picking up a job.
My youngest is now considering it too for entry next year.

You're unlikely to get uni-owned halls after year 1 (unless extenuating circumstances / medical condition) but there are hundreds of private halls all over London these days, so they could book to stay in one of them.
Many halls in London are nowhere near the the uni so factor in the cost of a travelcard too.

Thanks for all these pointers. A more general UCL question. My DD sees over 60% of UCL students are from overseas. She’s worried that the majority of students are going to be very well off (due to London costs putting off many ) and overseas students by default would tend to be more affluent and wondered how sociable a university it is to study at, if like us it would be a stretch for us to send her there. She’s not going to have lots of money for expensive meals out for example

@Joesmum1981 my DS is also applying to UCL and I have the exact same fears.
I have been saying to DS that yes I love London too, but it's not going to be much fun if he has no money to do anything.

Have 2 in London. Dc1 did not get first choice accommodation, dc2 did.
They have lived combined 5 years as a student and hardly ever needed underground or bus. Lived 45 min walk, but didn't need to go in every day. Dc2 also uses those Santander (?) Bikes.
As far as I know both DC and lots of friends had part-time jobs.
Both love living in London.

Hullo. I read on a travel site that Hughes parry tower has a rat problem. Is it true? Really worried now as my daughter booked a room there. Thanks

In my day we lived in Manor House/Harringay for our 2nd year. Or Camden/Kentish town. But that was more expensive.

Yes, many international students but the percentage is different depending on the course. You can't put a preference for particular halls, but can specify type of room/ price range. In my dd flat in the halls most students were home students. It seems that as the international students arrive earlier, they seem to allocate them together.
Some of her friends specified catered halls. As there are only a few and close to the campus they got their preference and lived very close.
There are new halls in Stratford, and that is what people are trying to avoid because of travel time.
It is possible to swap - there is a service for that. You email your request and if your find anyone to swap with they approve it, but you need to wait as they do not pick up the phone and only reply by email.
I know some who were given Stratford have rejected it and fount private intercollegiate halls.
Most people rent from year 2.

And no, depending on the friendship group, not everyone is rich and has huge disposable income. People try to have part time jobs to supplement (very difficult though on some courses due to very heavy workload). They do find cheaper options for entertainment.