UCL's Thrive Festival continues today (Friday 16th) in Bloomsbury and next Weds (21st) at UCL East. Lots of events around well-being, mental health and belonging. Ideal if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed at the London experience and not yet found your feet.

Includes mini-golf, therapy dogs, talks, soundbath, massage, meetups, craft sessions.

Also Meningitis vaccinations (need to book) - it's one of those infections & viruses that can spread through the student population at this time, when every dormant bug from around the world goes "Wahey! New hosts to infect!"

Hey! I recently moved to London and just started my PhD at UCL. Would love to meet new people, explore the city, try new cafés and food spots, or just hang out!
If anyone’s in the same boat or knows of any group chats or meetups, I’d love to join! :)

Hi! I’m an incoming affiliate student for the spring semester 2027 and I’m looking to get in contact with other incoming affiliates. I saw the megathreads for housing and new student group chats, but they seem to be largely geared toward freshers/September intake.

I’m a junior at my university in the US, so I’ll be a third-year, and was wondering if anything similar exists specifically for incoming affiliate/study abroad students? Would love to connect with other affiliates before January, especially other third-years, so if anyone knows of a WhatsApp/Instagram/Discord group or could point me in the right direction I’d really appreciate it!

Survey link: https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_37BcW1kPHyKjpky

Hi everyone! 👋

My name is Jaimz Winter, and I’m conducting an academic research study through the University College London Interaction Centre (UCLIC) as part of my visiting researcher scheme.

🎮 What is the study about?

This study explores gamers’ willingness to share data with digital games and game-related services.

Who can participate?

• You must be aged 18 or over.
• You must have experience playing digital games.

What does participation involve?

• Completing an anonymous online questionnaire.
• Taking approximately 10–12 minutes.
• Answering questions about player data, privacy, and different hypothetical gaming scenarios.

Voluntary participation and consent

Taking part is entirely voluntary. By proceeding with the questionnaire, you will be asked to provide informed consent before participating. You may stop at any time before submitting your responses by closing your browser. As the questionnaire is anonymous, your responses cannot be withdrawn after submission because they cannot be linked back to you.

Data storage, confidentiality and retention

The survey does not collect directly identifying information such as names, email addresses, usernames, or IP addresses. Please do not include identifying information in optional free-text responses. Research data will be stored securely on UCL-approved systems and accessed only by the research team. Anonymised data and associated research materials may be retained for a minimum of ten years and may be archived for future academic research, verification, or secondary analysis, where appropriate.

Research results

The findings may be used in my thesis and in academic reports or publications. Participants will not be identified in any report or publication.

Researcher and supervisor

• Researcher: Jaimz Winter UCL email: [ucacwin@ucl.ac.uk](mailto:ucacwin@ucl.ac.uk)
• Principal Researcher/Supervisor: Martin Dechant Email: [m.dechant@ucl.ac.uk](mailto:m.dechant@ucl.ac.uk)

Ethics approval: UCL Research Ethics Committee, Approval ID 4813.

Survey link: https://qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_37BcW1kPHyKjpky

Thank you for considering taking part!

Hi!

I’m a prospective international PhD applicant to UCL. I’ve identified several funding schemes that could work for me, but only one or two cover the full international fee. Most only cover home fees.

From what I understand, UCL has something called the ISAD, which covers the difference between home and international fees for UKRI-funded studentships such as UBEL.

Does anyone know how it works for funding that isn’t from UKRI? For example, if you’re on an NIHR Doctoral Award, is there any way to get the fee difference waived?

Thanks!

Anyone from slade mind sharing their portfolio? I can’t find a lot of sample portfolios only especially from slade 😣 Would also appreciate if anyone with experience can give me some advice on my portfolio.

Heya! i'm 22f and I'm thinking of going to ucl garba on my own. I've never done garba before and thought it would be fun to try. I'm a bit nervous but I don't want to hold myself back just because I don't know anyone else who's going!

Anyways I was wondering if anyone else is going alone and if you'd like to meet up at the event :)

Edit: event details are on the uclhsoc instagram, wednesday 21st oct in london

I am considering an economics course and am trying to look around. Although I have been told that I won’t be able to go to a mock lecture or anything like that. Was wondering how people chose UCL, especially considering cost of London compared to other competitive unis.

Hey everyone,

I am a final year undergraduate student researching how social and political attitudes among young men in the UK relate to views on emerging reversible male contraceptive methods.

What is the purpose of the study? 

The purpose of this study is to investigate how political and social attitudes among young men in the UK relate to their views on male contraception. Specifically, it aims to understand how ideological values regarding gender roles, reproductive responsibility, and trust in pharmaceutical companies and regulatory oversight shape perceptions of risk and bodily intervention, to inform more effective public health communication about emerging contraceptive technologies. The survey takes less than 10 minutes and is completely anonymous.

I am looking for participants who:

• Identify as male
• Are aged 18 to 25
• Are currently living in the UK (you don't have to be British, just currently living in the UK)

The survey covers social and political views, gender roles, and attitudes toward emerging male contraceptive technologies. There are no right or wrong answers and all political views are welcome.

This research has received full ethical clearance from King’s College London (Project ID: 57394).

Social/Political Attitudes and the Acceptability of Male Contraception – Fill out form

Thank you so much — genuinely appreciate any responses!!!

Data handling and confidentiality

This research is anonymous. Nobody, including the researchers, will know your identity, and no one will be able to connect you to your answers, even indirectly. Responses will be collected via Microsoft Forms, through the researcher's Microsoft Forms account licensed by King's College London. The form will not collect respondents' IP addresses, to protect your anonymity.

Your answers will be held securely for either one month or one year following the researcher's receipt of their degree award, depending on whether the research is published (see below for full retention details). In line with King's College London's data retention requirements: if the findings are not published, the data will be destroyed within one month of the researcher receiving their degree award; if the findings are published, the data will be destroyed within one year of the researcher receiving their degree award, or, if publication takes place after that point, at least five years following any publication that relies fundamentally on the data.

I consent voluntarily to be a participant in this project and understand that I can refuse to take part and can withdraw from the project at any time before submitting the survey, without having to give a reason. I understand that once I submit the survey, I will no longer be able to withdraw, as my responses will be fully anonymous and cannot be traced back to me.

Researcher: Chiara Bagnoli, [chiara.bagnoli@kcl.ac.uk](mailto:chiara.bagnoli@kcl.ac.uk)
Dissertation Supervisor: Brenda Hayanga, [Brenda.1.hayanga@kcl.ac.uk](mailto:Brenda.1.hayanga@kcl.ac.uk)

I’m organising a small London meetup for complete beginners with little/no filmmaking experience. It isn’t affiliated with the university, but I thought it might be relevant here for students who’ve wanted to try filmmaking but haven’t known where to start. Thank you :)

Hi everyone! Is anyone doing a General Surgery elective at UCL from 1–28 March 2027?
If you’re going during the same period, please DM me! Would be nice to connect with others before the elective. 😊

why is it that you decided to go to UCL? Are you happy with your decision? Has it been better than expected?

Just a bunch of general questions. I am trying to create my uni priority list and would love to hear from students at those unis. (Econ and Business/Management)

Hi,

I'm Henry, a classics student here. I play Thousands Sons and I was wondering whether any other fellow Warhammer players would want a game or two? If so dm me, if not, have a good day all the same <3

I’m an international student at UCL. How and where can I get a part-time job? Can anyone please help and give me a referral.

Hi!

I am a trainee clinical psychologist studying at Newcastle University. My research is looking into student identity, mental health and social belongingness and will hopefully improve student mental health support at UK universities. I would be very grateful if any current university students could take 5-10 minutes to complete an online survey! Please see below for more information 😄

What does the study involve?

• The study involves completing an anonymous online survey which should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.
• The survey will ask you questions about your identity, mental health and wellbeing, and social belongingness.
• You will also have the option to express an interest in taking part in an interview with myself to explore your experience of identity and how it relates to your mental health and feeling of belongingness (this is completely optional).
• All data from the survey will be stored securely and confidentially. You have the right to withdraw consent at any point up until the end of the recruitment period.

Who can take part?

• Any university student studying in the UK

Why should I take part?

• Taking part will contribute to new and exciting research
• We hope that the results of this research will improve mental health support at UK universities

How can I take part?

• To access the information sheet and consent form, scan the QR code in the attached poster, or click the link below (once consent is given, you will be directed to the survey):

https://nclpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_79bI93MIMcNgl14

Thank you in advance!

Chesca Reyers ([F.Reyers2@newcastle.ac.uk](mailto:F.Reyers2@newcastle.ac.uk))

Supervisor: Dr Ellen Marshall ([Ellen.Marshall@newcastle.ac.uk](mailto:Ellen.Marshall@newcastle.ac.uk))

I get migraines and their sometimes triggered by overhead lighting even when I don't notice it. I was in the IOE library today and got ​my first migraine in two months. Is this just a coincidence or has anyone else noticed the same thing?

Has anyone heard of someone being nominated by their host institution but not being accepted by UCL? I’ve been nominated by my host institution already but nervous I won’t get in. And has anybody gotten their acceptance letters for the January 2027 affiliate intake yet?

• The original UCLuserID@ ucl.ac.uk / firstname.lastname.11@ ucl.ac.uk will no longer exist on the new alumni service despite it being promised in the original email for life offering that emails sent to the above addresses will still reach your UCL inbox.
• The new service is a separate account rather than a continuation of the old account and does not specify it is for life, meaning UCL could remove it any time with no consequences -UCL Alumni email | Alumni
• Old mailbox emails are not transferred to the new alumni mailbox, you have to do it yourself to a mailbox that is now smaller, so if you had the email for a long time you cannot transfer all your emails as there is not enough space, contacts and calendar data are also not migrated.
• Forwarding from the UCLserID@ ucl.ac.uk / firstname.lastname.11@ ucl.ac.uk will stop when the old account is deleted. they don't even give a guarantee for how long the forwarding will last for.
• Alumni now have to opt in to retain an alumni email service despite it being offered for life. It is no longer simply the continuation of the existing account. Regardless if they opt in or not, the old UCL account which is the email for life is suspended and then deleted.
• The original address as a permanent point of contact will be lost. People and organisations emailing the old UCLserID@ ucl.ac.uk / firstname.lastname.11@ ucl.ac.uk address will no longer reach the alumni account, they expect you to update your contacts. But if you have used the email for many years this is nigh impossible.
• Eligible students were told they could continue using their live@UCL account “for life”, with mail sent to their original UCLserID@ ucl.ac.uk / firstname.lastname.11@ ucl.ac.uk continuing to reach their inbox. The new arrangement does not preserve that arrangement.
• They were also told "Have full access to the UCL email service including access to full Outlook mode and any data stored in your Skydrive or Office Live Workspace" By full outlook they mean the desktop application, which requires a more expensive license. But the new Alumni email service only works on the web access.

By making this change UCL has ripped off 200,000–250,000 of it's alumni who and graduated between 1st September 2009 and December 2025 and most don't even know it.

I would advise anyone who is an alumni from between those dates to make a public complaint to - [publiccomplaints@ucl.ac.uk](mailto:publiccomplaints@ucl.ac.uk) or if you are an existing student - Section 8: UCL Student Complaints Procedure | Study at UCL

If you know an existing student/alumni that has been affected by this change, please share this with them.

Once a reponse to your complaint has been made, if it is not to your liking, make a complaint to - MyOIA - OIAHE citing unfair practices.

There is also a route for a notification under the OFS, perhaps under "Condition C1: Guidance on consumer protection law" but someone with a far better legal mind that myself will have to look into it Notifications - Office for Students

*EDIT* - Also, if you are worried about losing your data. You can submit a request under Article 15 UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 Asking for all the emails from your UCL inbox and contents of your OneDrive - [data-protection@ucl.ac.uk](mailto:data-protection@ucl.ac.uk)

TLDR, UCL has retroactively altered the "Email for life" for hundreds of thousands of paying students who became alumni in a detrimental way in order to reduce costs and improve security in perhaps violation of consumer protection - Changes to UCL email service for alumni | Information Services Division

Could anyone who has experience Slade help me look at my BA fine art portfolio? Any advice would be appreciated, thank you!!! :)

Hi Everyone!

I think it would be funny to have a picnic so pull up, all members of r/UCL welcome:

Bring food to either eat yourself or to share if you feel so inclined!

Meet Tavistock Square Gardens @ Midday on Wednesday 14th October 2026

Contingency if the grass is wet: meet under the portico

See you all there!

Update: meet in the bottom right quadrant, I've also convinced the Activities and Engagement Officer, Audrey, to come and we can have a live QnA haha

Hi everyone,

I’m a student at UCL East and I’m trying to find the closest place to get a proper meal deal (sandwich/wrap + snack + drink) around campus.

I’ve seen people mention the Tesco Express on High Street, but it seems to be temporarily closed. The old Pool Street Shop also appears to have closed, and the Pool Street Café doesn’t seem to have a meal deal.

So, where do UCL East students usually go for the cheapest/closest meal deal? Ideally within about a 5–10 minute walk.

Hello everyone, I’m considering applying for Civil Engineering MEng at UCL and was wondering if anyone studying the course could give some insight into what it’s actually like.

How is the course taught ? Is it mainly lectures, or are there many tutorials, seminars and workshops? How many contact hours are there on average in first year, and how are these structured? How many group projects are there, particularly in first year, and how much of the course is collaborative vs independent? Also, how is the workload split between coursework/projects and exams, and how difficult/stressful is it to keep up with everything?
Thank you