Receiving the Marshall Scholarship is a wonderful achievement, and it is important you feel that the institution you are applying to can help you make full use of the opportunity.
In this blog I hope to give you an insight into UCL, and what makes us a global top-10 institution, where ambitious learners and innovators come together to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.
Who we are
UCL was established in 1826 as the first London university. We were the first institution in England to award degrees to students from all religious backgrounds, as well as female students, on equal terms to men. What started with a humble offering of courses in Law, Engineering, and Medicine, has turned into the largest university in the UK and a research powerhouse, driving innovation in disciplines from art to neurology.
We are proudly multidisciplinary with a proven track record of excellence across disciplines. We currently have 55,000 students, studying across 11 faculties, and three London campuses. About half of our students are postgraduates, and half are international, including approx. 1,400 US students, making us a diverse, welcoming community.
Resources
Our students benefit from exceptional facilities across our campuses. All students can access our 17 libraries and have access to 190,000 scientific journals. We have 4 museums, 80,000 archaeological samples, biomedical labs, VR studios, Bloomberg terminals, workshops and 3D printers, a podcast studio, waxworking spaces, a propulsion lab... Irrespective of discipline, we invest heavily in our resources to ensure the best experience for students and staff.
We place a big emphasis on student wellbeing. We have dedicated support for students with disabilities, neurodiversity, and mental health concerns, as well as multi-faith support. We organise a range of events to increase a sense of belonging and community – our Student Union manages over 500 clubs, societies and sports teams, so that every student can find their people. This includes an American Society, for a home away from home.
Research impact
UCL’s main asset is our community. As a UCL student, you will join an institution which drives innovation and meaningful change worldwide. UCL conducts world-leading, life-changing research. We are ranked 2nd overall in the Research Excellence Framework with several faculties ranked in the top 10 – e.g. Faculties of Laws and Social and Historical Sciences are both ranked 1st in the country, and Life Sciences at number 2.
In practice, this looks like Professor Sarah Tabrizi and Ed Wild successfully treating Huntington’s through gene therapy. Jade Snow Medical, a student start-up, formed in our in-house startup incubator HatcheryX, transforming surgical training through 3D printed anatomical models. Professor Mariana Mazzucato launching the Global Council for a Common Good Economy alongside the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, Carlos Cuerpo.
In the classroom, this translates into teaching based on deep subject expertise, current research, and industry knowledge. Our Connected Curriculum ensures that all UCL students are able to learn through participating in research at all levels of study. Importantly, our 1:11 ratio of students to teaching staff ensures UCL students have sufficient support in their learning. As a postgraduate student, irrespective of discipline, you will be expected to carry out a significant research project for your dissertation or final project, usually in the summer, allowing you to add your voice to the scholarship in your discipline.
Careers
We are one of the most targeted universities for graduate employment, with over 900 employers coming to campus in 2024/25. Our alumni go on to become leaders in their fields and are a testament to the quality and rigour of a UCL education.
Some examples of notable alumni include:
Francis Crick, who discovered the structure of the DNA alongside Rosalind Franklin and James Watson.
Dame Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, producer/ directors who met in the UCL Film Society and have gone on to produce blockbuster films such as the Dark Knight Trilogy, Oppenheimer, and the upcoming Odyssey film.
Demis Hassabis, the founder of Google DeepMind.
Coldplay, a rockband who met in Ramsay Hall, which is still in use as an accommodation hall, albeit for undergraduates.
We support your career aspirations through bespoke 1:1 activities, like meetings with career consultants, as well as through employer events and career fairs. We organise a range of skills session on topics such as networking, Linkedin, interview skills, and navigating AI in the application process. We also offer mock interviews and assessment centre simulations (these are a common application step for some roles in the UK, like consulting or law).
For the entrepreneurs, UCL also offers the Hatchery incubator, which provides access to funding, mentorship, professional advice on marketing and IP law, and even paid interns, to turn your startup idea into reality. Overall, in the past 5 years, 410 student startups were created at UCL, and raised approx.. £555 million in investment.
Whatever your ambition, UCL can help you make it happen. Discover more on our website, and find your perfect course on our prospectus page.
For more information about University College London, see our partnership page: UCL MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIPS – Marshall Scholarships. To see the University's recent presentation as part of the 'Marshall Mondays' series of programming, visit our Marshall Monday page here: Marshall Mondays – Marshall Scholarships.