Overall score

I've chosen this course to broaden and deepen my knowledge in literature and literary theory, to experience the studies abroad, in a multicultural uni and surroundings and to enhance my perspectives for getting a nice job. It was a great pleasure and honour to be accepted to study at the 4th uni in the world. But the actual life hire is, on all levels, very chalenging. The course is (1) exciting, but extremely (2) demanding and, from the perspective of an overseas student (3) very expensive. This course runs for one year full time, and two years part time, and I would strongly recommend to everybody, especially to students comming from the university background different than UK, to take the part-time option. However, visa students are not allowed to take the part time course, which is a pitty.

Study experience

The course itself is a bit hectic, with enormously big amount of the coursework (for example, I had to write about 32,000 words for the various coursework - essays etc. during the year plus the 15, 000 words for the dissertation during the summer) The good thing is that the course covers many fields, theories, approaches, but the bad thing however is that you might get lost in this schizophrenic conglomerate of doctrines and demands. The other good thing is that, although it is a taught course, you have the opportunity to focus on your own interests, and this opportunity is strongly encouraged by the teachers. The lectures were mainly 'very academic' i.e. with not much space for the debate and discussions. The seminars with the course faciliators (usually phd students) were however amazing, and it is A+ for them. Some of the lectures were breathtakingly brilliant, and others were rather boring, but I guess it largely depends on your own preferences within the field. Financial support for the international students is barely available. I suggest applying for the uni as early as possible (january/february) in order to be elligible to apply for the scholarshisps available for international/overseas students. Once you enroll the uni, it is impossible (or extremely difficult) to get the financial help if you're not domestic/eu student. The UK bank loans are not available for the visa-students. I funded my course by myself with the crucial help of my family: personal and bank loans of my parents secured the paying of the fees, but it was very difficult to raise all the money, due to the high amount of the fees and no other financial facilities for the international students, and of course due to the fact that my family is not rich. Plus I had to work part time to pay the rent and the food, and I do not recomend at all working part time and studying full time at the institution such as UCL. I thought that I had super powers of managing everything, but my academic performance was inevitably affected. So if you are PG at a big institution such as UCL, if possible focus on your studies only, please!

Facilities

The library is lovely and in May it was open 24hours, which I found very convenient. I would be happy if l ibrary had this opening hours during the whole year. I would give the 5 stars to the IT facilities, but please bare in mind that the previous uni I attendend didn't have ANY computers for students, so UCL in a way was a space ship for me.

Postgraduate life

London is a vibrant city and having the uni in the heart of London is a blessing. Personally, I could never study in an 'isolated', solely student areas, such as Cambridge, Oxford etc. The problem with London is however that it offers too much, so you might easily neglect your studies, unless you are perfectly organized Friends that I met on the uni I consider the bigest and life-lasting capital. Meeting all this wonderful people from so many different countries is absolutely the best thing that happened to me this year. If you want to get t uni's acoomodation, the early application is crucial. I have used the serveces of the London housing which are available to all students of the University of London. I have found a beautiful and affordable place and I would always recomend LHS.

Job prospects

I still do not know, since I am currently applying for the internships and work placements. It is more difficult for international students to find a job anyhow, because of the very competitive graduate market and the visa issues they are facing, but I would give 5 stars to the UCL career services and outher career focused departments. All people that work for these departments are very friendly, supportive and helpful.

This review is the subjective opinion of a postgraduatesearch.com reviewer and not of postgraduatesearch.com.

Overall score

I would never reccomend anyone to join this college as its all talk and no show. I applied for MSc course in marketing with specialisation in emarketing last October 2009 and the coure was supposed to begin 11th Jan. I duly paid my fees and waited to hear from college on the time table, faculty, modules until the end. Later on I was told that the commencement date is postponed and had no information on it. Eventually was being told that due to in sufficient numbers in this session the course is deferred and suggested me to take up online study mode or have your fees refunded. I opted for the full refund and its been over 1 month there is no accountability or as a matter of fact no one is responsible to do the refund. I paid full sum of £6750 and paying an interest on it. I really don't know if I will even get any clear response or just being shunned everytime i call them.....DON'T APPLY IN THIS INSTITUTE and use your money elsewhere.

Study experience

Never even started.

Facilities

Looks swanky but has literally nothing to offer.

Postgraduate life

Only one programme co-ordinator and his name is Pratik Peshvaria. Tried to help me at several stages but it seems just wanted to delay the process. I did ask him to put me in touch with alumni of this course and I was being told it's not possible.

Job prospects

0%

This review is the subjective opinion of a postgraduatesearch.com reviewer and not of postgraduatesearch.com.

Overall score

I was initially unsure about teaching as a career however my Primary Education (Early Years) PGCE quickly proved to be the right move. I was surrounded by peers who were in a similar situation to me, which certainly didn't hinder my enjoyment of the social side of the university. My lecturers were always on hand and although the work load was tough, it was so worth it. I now have a job I enjoy and a career for life. Not bad for only one year extra studying!

Study experience

My lecturers were helpful and very realistic, which always helps! It was a tough work load but not unmanagable. The course itself equipped me with the skills I am contiuously using. I received a grant from the government which I don't have to repay. I also had a student loan as I was an independent student.

Facilities

I only had to buy a couple of books for my course as I always managed to get the texts I needed from the uni library. The computers were always available most of my lecturers were fantastic, and the course, despite occasionally throwing you in at the deep end, actually proved to be the best way to learn and develop skills.

Postgraduate life

I made some great friends on my course who understood what I was going through as they were in the same boat. The uni may could have organised more social events however this was not a problem as we generally organised our own things. After completing our course the uni did throw us all a party to congratulate us which was good fun.

Job prospects

After completing my course I have been in permanent work and am really enjoying my experiences. I have always thought that I work to live, (not live to work) however I am so glad I am in a job that I actually enjoy!

This review is the subjective opinion of a postgraduatesearch.com reviewer and not of postgraduatesearch.com.