UCL

[lifeturnsonadime]

After being rejected by Oxford post interview earlier this week Ds has received an offer from UCL for History. We didn't manage to attend any open days but this is where he wants to go, and I can't find out any information about offer holder days. So I wondered if anyone has DC there who could help me with some information?

Does anyone know if they do hold offer holder days?

Any tips on first year accommodation, I can see there is a portal but I was wondering if it is all based in Bloomsbury and if there is any particularly good accommodation he should be aiming for in the first year?

Where have your DC tended to live in the subsequent years?

Regarding history specifically DS has not applied for the year abroad option but this is automatically offered at another university he has be offered a place at, is it easy to switch to a year abroad option if he wants and should he do that now?

How have people found the history course, the website suggests small class sizes, has this been the case?

How have DC found UCL generally, have they found it easy to make friends, are there plenty of sports and other social opportunities?

Really pleased for DS as this is where he wants to go but feel that I knew loads about Oxford but not so much about UCL!

If you are in Stratford, you really won’t feel
like you are anywhere near UCL. It’s not far on the Lizzy Line but uni life outside lectures will be very different.

@TizerorFizz no need to apologise as I wasn't clear.

Sadly en-suite is essential due to IBS. He'd be a nightmare and really stressed in shared bathroom facilities.

He definitely won't want to be out in Stratford.

Thanks everyone all of this is so helpful.

Garden Halls is very new and I'm pretty sure it has ensuite rooms. I think all the post-refurb inter-collegiate halls may have "accessible" rooms now too.

Tavistock Square (where Connaught is) is very quiet. It's just inside the congestion charge zone, so we did the drop offs and pick ups early on Sunday mornings, and it was easy to park right outside (residents' parking zone, but only at certain times).

However, as in any uni hall, it will be the noise from other students coming home late or partying that can't be avoided. They do have rules about that, but rules are bound to be broken sometimes.

I agree. Garden Halls are in a great, pretty and quiet location, and near the Brunswick shopping centre. I would take a close look, and if need be push the fact that he has special requirements. My guess is that the mix of international and home students will mean that London student halls are quieter than in other places.

Sorry I got confused. Connaught is not a Garden Hall. It looks as if post-refurbishment they have lost their individual names. Connaught is also in a great Bloomsbury location. (In my first year I lived in LSE's Passfield Halls which were round the corner, and in those days were a real dump, but cheap and fun. I think they still have shared rooms and when walking past there seems to be no evidence that they are any smarter.)

@lifeturnsonadime do encourage your DS to contact the Disability Team at the university he chooses - preferably before the start of term. They might also be able to advise about best options for accommodation. Also I'd encourage him to look at Disabled Students Allowance - earlier rather than later.

My daughter is in International Hall (intercollegiate) where there are a lot of LSE, UCL and SOAS students. She absolutely adores everything about it and doesn't even mind the not very exciting food as eating with everyone else is such an amazing opportunity for making friends. The shower block looks like something from a prison to me but she's fine with it and even seemed cleaner than usual when she came home for the holidays. London is an amazing place to go to university. Two of our other children have studied at UCL and both had a great time.

Garden halls does indeed have tennis courts. It is also quite strict about how often you can bring outsiders in (there is a monthly ration ) which keeps things relatively calm at night. I think all the UCL allocates rooms are en-suite and catered although there are other room categories that UCL doesn't contract for

But it is dear - I think about £350 a week this year I think

Revenge do you have details about the catering?

Thanks

@lifeturnsonadime there's catering info here: https://www.london.ac.uk/about/services/halls/current-residents/catering-intercollegiate-halls

Make sure the IBS is on his Disabled Student Allowance application. DSA paid the difference between en suite and non ensuite accommodation for my DD due to her IBS.

Thank you for this, he has the IBS plus other issues that means he needs a personal bathroom.

I will be able to get a GP and OT report for why it is needed.

On a practical note is the DSA sent before or after the accommodation application?

@lifeturnsonadime - it came through afterwards as it wasn't on DDs original application - someone on MN advised that we asked for it so it took a while to process as a late addition.