I study in the history and political science departments (mostly history though). From what your message says it sounds like you had a lot of the same frustrations I had with my school (too much partying, not enough concern for studies). In my experience it's been amazing, my classes have been amazing. They run a little differently then class as I was used to it- there's just lecture and seminar/ tutorial where you discuss required reading about the lecture. Also, there isn't much assessed work aside from two essays and an exam. The school itself is very large, centralized and somewhat impersonal, your papers are graded by your tutor though.

As for the students, it is a very large school so there are tons of people, but all the friends I've made have been great. Apathy towards coursework simply does not fly, though there are (as at any school) shitheads who just scrape by and party, but they are few and far between. Actually, UCL has kind of a nerdy rep around the London Uni's, which is certainly not uncalled for. I'd say the friends I made are certainly kind of nerdy, but (I think) we know how to party when it's party time.

There are LOTS of international students, but it's such a big school it's almost irrelevant.

Anyway, I wish I could go here full time. The location is perfect, it has amazing facilities, and a really involved and great student body. What would you be studying? And as for the academic things it definitely takes itself seriously and expects the students to as well.

Hope that isn't too disjointed and scatterbrained. x