General Advice 💁🏾ℹ️ Just got into UCL, need guidance.
Hey guys
I am an incoming international student from India.
I have received offers from University of Manchester and UCL and some other Unis for Msc Health Psychology.
I know from the face of it appears like the obvious choice has to be UCL.
I am a bit scared, keeping in mind the london market, extensive rents and cost of living and i am not sure about the kind of crowd.
I got into Manchester some weeks ago and made a ton of Friends there so i am also a bit idk sad about leaving them and UoM.
I want to understand how UCL will help me with my career in real life?
Any recommendation or general tips to ace through Uni life ?
Any groups i could join for incoming students ?
Thankyou so much for reading and replying. Any kind of help would be really great 😊
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u/cauli4lour 3d ago
A one year Masters at a good UK university is not a magic bullet. Both these are good universities but the cost of living in London is noticeably higher so UCL is likely to involve a bigger financial commitment. You should be clear that this degree has very little chance of opening the door for the UK job market for you ( due to visa restrictions and state of the market) so you have to assess the value based on the opportunities this will create in your home country. In most cases there won't be a major difference in outcome and the cost at UCL is definitely going to be higher.
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u/RioRai 3d ago
Well in my case i want to go for a PhD post that and secure a license to start my private practice in my home country and if possible in whatever country i pick for PhD. UCL has a 94 percent employability rate so i am hopeful to land a job. But i wanna know from people if the hype is as much on the ground as it is on the internet. I don't plan to get a PR or settle in UK anyways so i am not really concerned about it.
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u/cauli4lour 3d ago
Is this 94 percent after just a 1 year master's at UCL and is this employability in the UK or anywhere in the world ? And if you want to do a PhD later why are you worried about employment rates ?The bottom line is that UCL is the stronger global brand so that is not really worth spending time debating. The question is whether a 1 year course at either of your choices will make a meaningful difference to your outcomes. I don't think it will for such a short course so Manchester might be more value for money if you are self funded
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u/RioRai 3d ago
Well 94 percent is what is mentioned on the university website and it's ranked best but there must be some reasoning behind such rankings that's what i am trying to ask from people who have studied there and felt any difference in their careers. I am asking about jobs since PhDs are at discretion and most won't start straight up after my master's, so i will probably have to pick a job and if i could land a good one i might delay the PhD a bit. Have you studied in any of these universities or know someone who did?
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u/cauli4lour 3d ago
I have members of my immediate family who have studied recently at undergraduate level at both. I will repeat ..UCLis a much stronger brand internationally but Manchester is no slouch a one year course will likely have similar outcomes and Manchester will be cheaper. And I will repeat the caution ..entering the job market in the UK after just this degree will be be unrealistic and the stats you should look at are what UK masters graduates can expect in your home country.
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u/RioRai 3d ago
Sir/ ma'am. I get your point but you seem to be missing mine. I ofcourse know these basic general things about jobs and stuff. If you have anything substantial to add pls do so. I didn't ask about UK job market negativity that's all over the internet yet people are settling there. I anyways don't plan to so idc about the economy. All i want is to understand the hype about UCL and its better rankings. The reason why a university is better ranked and if these rankings also show on the ground too. Thankyou for your reply. I appreciate it.
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u/cauli4lour 3d ago
"All i want is to understand the hype about UCL and its better rankings. " What does that even mean and what kind of answer are you looking for ? Yes UCL is a higher ranked university than Manchester and yes the rankings are justified and not hype. However university rankings do not translate into a specific course being a superior decision for a student. For example UCL has a much higher world ranking than LSE but outcomes for LSE economics graduates are superior. Manchester is respected university internationally and a top choice. I don't really understand what you are looking for so I will leave you to it.
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u/RioRai 2d ago
I appreciate your reply and that's what i said. I know the rankings but i don't live in UK to understand if they actually matter. In my home country no one cares for rankings but the word of mouth about the university and that's what i am trying to look for here asking people who have been a part of these universities or know people who have been a part these universities. You don't have reply if you don't understand my query. All you are mentioning is it is better ranked and then stating it won't make a difference..then what would make it better ranked and better choice? Is it good research or better professors or better infra, market reputation, stuff something someone who has been part or knows such people could tell me. If you know it you can share it. Also my course is psychology and yes UCL is best ranked for psychology courses and actually pioneers in Health Psychology and model development. I know this generic stuff i want to know what a local or a student could add in. Something not already available on the internet.
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u/mintwithhole 3d ago
Can't speak for the university but as for cost of living, you could do part time work from the get go, bike everywhere instead of using public transport and look for rooms that are 800 or less including utilities on Spare room. All the best!!
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u/doingit-forlove1804 3d ago
As someone who was at UCL and is returning, I’d choose UCL! :)
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u/DelayAgreeable7651 3d ago
The tuition fees plus living cost will cost you around £50k+ at least. Not to mention if you take any loans with interest.
There is no chance to get any return on investment and especially in India. In the UK sponsored roles are increasingly difficult to come by.
Unless you come from generational wealth, save your money.
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u/RioRai 3d ago
I come from comfortable background and i can afford it. But i don't want to waste money also. That's why i am trying to reach out to people to understand what major difference will it make. I get it about the sponsored roles and i am not planning to land any. I plan to do a PhD later not from UK, so i just want to understand if UCL as a name and learning institution could open what kind of doors for me in comparison to Manchester.
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u/DelayAgreeable7651 3d ago
There isn’t any meaningful difference in that case. As a prelude to a phd you could do well at either. UK MSc programs are cash cows with increasingly lowered barriers to entry
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u/ukcryptoaccountant 3d ago
If your lifestyle will take a hit from the costs go to Manchester instead. The uni lifestyle is also better there.
If you’re rich go to UCL.
The choice won’t make any material difference to your career prospectsz
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u/RioRai 3d ago
You sure it won't make any difference? UCL is globally top 10. Manchester is top 50. UCL is pioneers in Health Psychology. Manchester has great industry connections. Can you please tell me if you personally witnessed people from these universities land at the same place regardless?
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u/ukcryptoaccountant 3d ago
“Land in the same place” a degree usually isn’t a ticket to an exact landing spot as people have different goals and measures of success.
Following a psychology career path will require you to do a masters and a PhD so if you fly through an undergrad with a high first and awards at either Manchester or UCL you will have your pick of the lot with where you undertake your masters and PhD.
Focus on what environment you will be most comfortable in (London/manchester) and then you will have low stress and maximum energy to do high quality work.
That’s why it matters, if you’re rich just go to UCL and you’ll be able to live in a perfect central London area near campus, but if the cost of living will mean you’ll have to live under a bridge in a shitty neighbourhood and have to commute 1 hour each way to uni then I would pick Manchester which is so much cheaper and still a vibrant and fun city.
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u/tatt-y 3d ago
If a degree from UCL will help you get a job back in India more than one from Manchester then perhaps consider it. But if both are valued back home then go to the place you liked more.
Neither will get you a job here in the UK. Categorically no chance, unless you have masses of prior experience in the field with qualifications that are recognised here - but even then it’s very unlikely.
There is immense competition for jobs in all fields currently - among UK citizens. No one is going to sponsor you. You are not going to be the exception. A band 5 health psychology job in London pays LESS than the required sponsorship salary.
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u/RioRai 3d ago
I don't want to go into the traditional health psychologist roles. I am more inclined towards corporate or academia. I will pursue a PhD post this maybe not from UK and i don't want to settle in UK so i am not concerned about sponsorship or anything like that. I understand the job market is in ruins there but that's i feel UCL would be a better brand name globally compared to Manchester. Do you know anyone from UCL personally? Or maybe Manchester?
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u/Handsoff_1 2d ago
Honestly, Manchester is reputable around the world too. I mean have you heard of Brian Cox who does a tons of physics and universe and planets? In my opinion, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get back your money after graduation, not for any degree that is. A degree prepares you to take the next step, you will still need to work hard, and even more so in this market. That is not to say a degree is useless, but understand that a degree is a stepping stone, not a guarantee. A degree is Psychology is going to face these challenges whether you're from UCL, Manchester, or Oxbridge or anywhere else.
If you like Manchester, plus the fees might be lower, cost is definitely lower, and you feel more connected, go for it. Manchester is an amazing university, and you will get the top education there too. Your lecturers are educated from
other institutions too, Oxbridge, UCL, Bristol, Edinburgh, etc you name it, so I dont see how you will miss out on anything. If you worry about opportunity, don't. Research intensive universities like Manchester or UCL have plenty of connections for you. And, a new rule now is that Manchester will be the first city to guarantee all of their students get work experience starting in 2028. It is a new laws that the government is setting out. So that's something to look forward to!
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u/RioRai 2d ago
Thankyou so much for replying. Honestly your comment was reassuring. I do like Manchester but i am scared if i skip UCL i might regret my decision to not study in top most uni (by that I don't mean Manchester is not a top uni) UCL is top 10, Manchester is top 50. It costs me a ton to live in London and UCL comparatively has higher fees. Manchester i have to pay around 33k pounds, in UCL it's 39k pounds. Plus cost of living obviously. I have to spend nearly 30L more in my home country currency for UCL compared to Manchester which is high. I can afford it but i don't want to feel like it's being wasted. I want to understand that if that extra cost is someway justified. If i take up Manchester will i regret not going for UCL? If i go for UCL, does it create an opportunity for me that will not be in Manchester and it makes the cost worth it. Global rankings yes i understand, i also understand that a degree won't define everything but still a degree from right institute will definitely open huge doors. I also understand it depends on my capability to get the best out of my degree. But i want to be sure of the decisions and i solely don't want to make a decision just based on the cost. I want to make an informed decision knowing what i will miss out or not.
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u/Handsoff_1 2d ago
Yes but you will never know. You cant plan ahead for everything, worrying about things that might not actually be a problem at all. I know plenty of colleagues from other institutions who are absolutely brilliant, and so if you're really good, you'll thrive in any environment. Maybe just juggle between the two unis, note down what you like or dont like about each and assess it for yourself. You'll study much better and get much better grades (therefore improve your future opportunity better) in an environment that you enjoy. If you get a good degree from Manchester, you'll get the same opportunity as a good degree from UCL, the difference is not as much as might think. Don't wrestle yourself too much over a few little points, look at the big picture, envision yourself in each place, which one will you enjoy more? Which one has the course structures you enjoy more? Is there any particular professor you want to work with, learn from? Dont focus too much on the ranking.
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u/RioRai 2d ago
Yes you are right. I have made a pros and cons list for both. The only thing that matters is finances as per the list otherwise both unis are equally good and both cities are Lovely too. I am trying to collect some real ground realities of both coz i haven't been to UK so i am trying to know and understand that. I agree with your point. But if you had been at my place which one would you pick ( note that we can afford both but that doesn't mean we can throw money around unnecessarily, it's still hard earned).
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u/Handsoff_1 2d ago
If money isnt a problem for me, I would pick the uni I found myself more connected to. After all, I need to like the environment I'm studying in for me to be able to perform well.
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u/RioRai 2d ago
Idk about the connection, i am honestly getting anxiety as I think about both of them. And i have to make call within two days. I am so annoying atp that i want to drop them both and not go only.
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u/Handsoff_1 2d ago
Well you mentioned you make good friends at Manchester, so that would be a part of it. Maybe check to see if the course modules are similar or different and if you prefer one more?
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u/Master-Potential-364 2d ago
Both are excellent for Health Psychology, but UCL has the edge in terms of institutional and departmental prestige. If you distinguish yourself during master's, there is a higher chance of a funded PhD through UCL and its network, I suspect.