University College London Reviews

Former Employee – worked at University College London

Pros – One of the best universities in the UK. Strong academic research atmosphere

Cons – In central London, a bit noisy and expensive. But if you like the buzz, it would be best.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at University College London

Pros – Location location location! Reputation, academic atmosphere, opportunities for collaborations; opportunities for cross-disciplinary research. Good local restaurants, good travel links. Modern campus with traditional feel.

Cons – London weighting doesn't put you on a par with the rest of the country, so you are worse off overall.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at University College London

Pros – The only good reason to work here is that you get a good vacation time, and the job is very flexible. you can come in at 10am as long as you finish your job.

Cons – I worked in one of their departments so i can only speak about the dept. Coming in as a research assistant, I had to work with a lot of associated which were all PhD holders. Due to that i was always let out in making decisions or even having an opinion. Most of them assumed i didn't know much because i just have a BS degree. I just performed studies blindly without anyone telling me what the study was really about. most of them just concluded I couldn't even do more instead trying me out first. The worst was when i had to take out trash and was all the items everyone had used. I would have just kept my AA degree if i wanted to do that.

Advice to Senior Management – You really need to be frank to the applicants about the Job they will be doing. Also they need to assess the applicants skills before placing them in a position.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at University College London

Pros – Lots of flexibility in work schedule. You are working with some of the best minds in the academic world. Great people, stimulating environment. Good training opportunities. UCL looks good on your resume.

Cons – Compensation is typical of academia. If you are a postdoc, it is definitely best for those determined to pursue an academic career.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep up the good work.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at University College London

Pros – Prestigious university, central location in London.

Cons – Poor staff training, poor IT systems, short on space.

Advice to Senior Management – Improve IT systems, change staff training.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at University College London

Pros – The part-time pay scale is not a low as in the private sector re administrative or clerical or support jobs if you need a part-time post, there was also some flexibility in some of the jobs if you have child care or studies to complete. Some of the senior staff are very interesting, appreciative and helpful people, but it is very hit and miss as to what the senior staff are going to be like.

Cons – Long hours, never enough staff to ensure things are done properly, and the pay scale is not that great if you are in full time employment as a PA or administrator and working in the centre of london in a stressful pressured environment. Do not be fooled into thinking that working for a university department is a 'soft job'. Academics can unfortunately live in strange 'bubbles' with a quirky view of life that can be fun at best and toxic at worst. I was lucky that two out of the three bosses I had over a number of years where down to earth and great to work for, but I witnessed dreadful treatment of staff in other departments. The senior staff (Academic or middle management in support areas) often have expectations can be unrealistic and many have little real appreciation of how support structures best work. When there are problems with bulling from middle managers, they are moved to different posts and the difficulties continue. Staff moral therefore becomes low and the 'good staff' don't hang about and simply leave once given the chance to do so. Often people would rather earn twice the wage for equal levels of stress, which is not hard to do in normal economic times, in a full time post, somewhere in London for one of the bigger firms.
I witnessed senior academic staff treating junior academic and research staff quite badly, but due to the competitive nature of research, junior staff often simply relieved to employed in their chosen career areas and therefore put up with a great deal more stress, rudeness and difficulties than most would otherwise cope with.

Advice to Senior Management – It would be helpful if there was an anonymous automated computerized system for staff to report difficulties, bullying and like (and or to report their thoughts when they leave their posts, an organized exit interview system) so that data could be built up over time and problem departments tackled. Rather than ongoing problems with bad team managers, lingering for years, because staff simply leave without saying things, because of fear of reprisals when references might be needed or are put off reporting difficulties because the situation ends up as a 'their word against mine' situation.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at University College London

Pros – It has a relaxed environment with flexible working hours and sociable co workers. Good location in central London. Easy Commute.

Cons – Work is not very challenging. Poor is poor for similar skill set. HR is a joke and cost cutting can make dealing with management a pain.

Advice to Senior Management – Stop allowing all decision to be made by finance and HR people who have no idea how things actually work on the ground level.

Current Employee – been working at University College London

Pros – World Class institute. Good opportunities to get training, funding, help with applications for grants, computer software, transferable skills etc. Well funded

Cons – Not many. Can be hard to progress as a basic scientist working in clinical environment. Perhaps, it is easier for clinicians to fast-track to senior positions despite having little scientific expertise.

Advice to Senior Management – Continue to encourage promotions of basic scientists. Give opportunities to more junior staff to progress and get support with careers.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at University College London

Pros – UCL was funded about 150 years ago, and it is now a world-class university. It's well-recognized in academia, which attracts many super smart people. The facilities of UCL is worth mentioning as well: the historical building for traditional department and the very well equipped new buildings are all very pleasant places to work in. Also its very fast and well rescourseful internet connections, its well-established libroray, and its very centred location, all make UCL a very convinience and pleasant place to work for. Last but not least, it's gym and other facilties all provide cheap membership to UCL staff and students.

Cons – 1, Because it is famous, working at UCL can be really competitive. Trying to get a lectureship position in certain areas can be really tough, especially now many American researchers are seeking jobs in top UK univeristies.
2, Some support team are not compitant - I guess because the Universtiy cannot really afford much money for very good people.
3, With its very centred location there are pros and cons. You can go to anywhere easily from UCL, and there are loads of resaurant etc., but affording a flat near work is almost impossilbe if you are just junior staff.

Advice to Senior Management – The provost and vice-provosts are all very good. But in some department, you don't really have the most compitant people doing the senior job - some professors prefer to do "research only". I guess it's a common problem at Univeristy.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend