Here are just some of the people UCL bring in every year to talk to students

Alexander (UCL, Politics and East European Studies student) tells about some of the interesting people he has seen talk during his time studying and why he thinks it is an important part of the university experience. 

One part of university life that is often not well publicised, both during your application to university and during your time here, are the many interesting speakers and events hosted by the university and affiliated organisations. Whilst this happens at many universities, one of the great advantages of living in London is that there are some world leading academics, scientists, journalists and politicians living around you. You also benefit from not just the talks UCL are hosting, but the ones happening at neighbouring universities too.

As a politics student my interests have predominantly been geared towards seeing interesting politicians, diplomats and social thinkers. This year I’ve been fortunate enough to see Nick Clegg, ex-Deputy Prime Minister, Neil Kinnock, ex-Labour Party leader, former editor of the Observer Will Hutton and Pussy Riot activist Mariya Alyokhina.

The range and depth of the talks on offer is huge, and whether it is learning about the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence, debates on robotics or niche talks on the status of Cyprus in the EU, there is bound to be something that catches your interest. For many, these events can offer an insight into fields of interest that their normal course would not expose them to, providing a nice respite from daily work to learn about something completely new. These talks also have Q&A sections, allowing you to pose your own questions, topics and queries to these people directly. With the usual drinks reception which follows you to get the opportunity to mingle with people of similar interests.

“Finding talks, discussions and debates provides a whole new dimension to your university experience”

On a more rounded note, though, talks and events provide a really nice balance to the evenings either spent in the student union or the library. So much of your time is spent either preparing for university assignments or relaxing – be it through sport, music, drama or a host of other activities – that often learning for the sake of learning can go by the wayside. Finding talks, discussions and debates provides a whole new dimension to your university experience, allowing you to get a better understanding of the applications of your chosen discipline or expand your horizons.

Undeniably, when considering which university to choose, the employability factor will influence your consideration. Talks can have an impact here, too. A few weeks ago I went to an event hosted by UCL Careers and the History Department which had four previous students talking about what they had done after university. Talking to a civil servant, consultant, lawyer and journalist who have recently graduated is beneficial not only in that it gives you an insight into what you can do with your degree but you can  ask them personally how they managed to do it. Many graduates aim to move to London after graduation; so being surrounded by people who have advice on living and working in London can be a real help. Whether it’s how to get the best internships, what to expect in interviews or which firms are most likely to take on graduates, you will get the best insider knowledge from people who really know what they are talking about.

All of this is not to say that talks should be your priority when choosing a university; but it remains the case that they are one of many things potential students might not consider when choosing where to apply. These talks can open up avenues of interest you did not know you had before university, lead to potential future employment and teach you more about the culture and history of the city you live in.

A word from the writer:

I’m Alex, a second year student studying Politics and Eastern European Studies at UCL. I am a transition mentor, write for the DiscoverUCL blog and am involved in a number of societies, most prominently the UCL Magazine ‘Pi’. Next year I will be moving to St Petersburg as part of my degree. Aside from studying I also enjoy listening to music and travelling – I have previously lived in China teaching English.