What do you think about social inclusion at UCL?
Here’s a main take from the article:
“Today (18th September), The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide was released, and Cambridge has topped the overall league table for the eighth consecutive year, yet was simultaneously ranked as the least socially inclusive university in the country. This trend is reflected by other top Russell group universities, as the academic top three (Cambridge, Oxford, St Andrews) are three out of the four least socially inclusive universities.”
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5 thoughts on “What do you think about social inclusion at UCL?”
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I think cohort size plays a role. It’s quite hard to get to know everyone or even most people on one’s course, so friendship groups kind of just form based on proximity and shared classes, seminar groups, etc. I found it kind of hard to find people I actually connect with, because of the sheer amount of students, especially in my first year. It’s overwhelming. Same goes for societies – there’s a lot of choice and if you join late it can feel like groups have formed already. It’s easy to feel lonely because you kind of have to put in effort to find friends. That said, I’ve met some lovely people, so if you look they’re definitely there.
It might also complicate things that most of us come from completely different backgrounds. I’ve personally always enjoyed being in an international/ generally diverse environment, but I do see how that could also be a barrier.
I think the subject you study has a major affect on diversity. Most STEM and vocational subjects are quite diverse whereas humanity subjects are less diverse this means that people have different opportunities to make friends from different cultures. I also think UCL does try to create an inclusive environment especially with the different cultural societies that are available so even if people do not have much diversity in their courses they could join these societies to meet many more people. However, due to covid this is extremely difficult now.
I think that because this year, everything/most lectures, tutorials, seminar’s are online, it’s been difficult to find people on your course to connect to. And although there are a number of societies you can join, which is great, the remote learning/working aspect makes it especially difficult. UCL itself is a diverse university with students from many different backgrounds, and whilst that can be great for meeting different people from different places, it may be a social barrier, where those who are from similar backgrounds stick together
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The extremely large cohort of students who attend UCL can inadvertently lead to formation of friendships based on proximity alone. Sometimes it is easier to connect with the people around you rather than having to navigate the overwhelming social bubble that is made up of all the students. The fact that learning and teaching has been online has made proximity a much more important feature in integration, or lack thereof. As such, it is even harder to find people you truly connect with and identify with, especially when you literally cannot see them. Some people, despite the technological society we currently live in, value and favour in-person communication rather than virtual and even find it difficult to initiate friendships and conversation that way. Societies and diversity at UCL make social inclusion quite easy but as a result of the climate we currently live in, inclusion has been significantly compromised which has deep effects on such a culturally diverse institution.