Why choose the University of East London? (A guide for parents)

Discover the careers-first university and see what makes UEL different.

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Discover the careers-first university and see what makes UEL different.

Why choose the University of East London? (A guide for parents)

Welcome to the careers-first university

Choosing a university is a big decision. As a parent, you want to know your child will be safe, supported, and set up for a successful future.

The University of East London focuses on career-ready degrees, strong student support, and real-world experience. It’s a practical choice for students who want to build skills and confidence while studying in London.

Quick facts about UEL: 

  • Career-focused courses designed with employers
  • Strong student support and wellbeing services
  • Diverse, inclusive student community
  • London location with access to jobs and opportunities

Courses for careers

We collaborate with employers and industry to create our degrees. Our approach to education reflects the changing needs of industry and prepares students for future careers.

Finding the right course

Often young people are undecided on what they want to do as a career, or what course they need to study to find that dream job. 

We’ve developed a Career Coaching  tool that provides advices on specific careers, courses, job roles, potential wages and available jobs, to help map out the education and career options available.

Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth

University of East London graduates stand out at job interviews because we focus on the complete individual – developing the knowledge, confidence and life skills employers value. 

We do this by including a Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth module in every course that covers:

  • Individual intelligence – develop emotional, social, physical and cognitive intelligence
  • Digital proficiency – learn to use ICT effectively
  • Cultural intelligence – explore how to work effectively across cultures

Career Passport

Graduates leave with a Career Passport that provides employers with proof of each skill they’ve mastered as part of their course, mental wealth programme or through internships and placements. 

It is beyond a traditional CV as many of the skills are validated externally by major corporations, including Microsoft and Amazon.

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Professional Fitness & Mental Wealth at UEL

Find out more about the Professional Fitness & Mental Wealth initiative at University of East London.

How we teach

We combine traditional face-to-face on campus teaching with cutting-edge technology.

Academics with real-world experience

Students have contact time with teaching staff who are world leaders in their field. Students could be taught by Turner-Prize winning sculptor, an Olympic gold medallist, a former business leader or an advisor to national governments.

Learn by doing

Students can work as part of a team on real-life projects in East London and overseas. They also have access to workplace experience through the many placements and internships we help organise through our extensive network of industry connections. Find out more on the careers page.

Innovative and engaging

We don't believe education should be about cramming hundreds of students into a vast lecture theatre. We focus on smaller class sizes and more individual ways of teaching that are social, active and collaborative. Find out more on the Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) page.

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Fantastic facilities

We've invested £170 million in fantastic spaces. Whatever subject our students’ study, they will have what they need to prepare them for their future careers.

For independent study and group work, we have 24/7 libraries on our Docklands and Stratford campuses, so students can spend time studying when it suits them. 

Ensuring students remain healthy, active and have fun is essential to us. At SportsDock, our £21 million sports facility, they can use the gym, participate in sports or join an exercise class. Some big names have trained at SportsDock, like LeBron James and Team USA, who used SportsDock as their training base for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A DLR train goes past Docklands Campus' accommodation

Docklands Campus - Student Accommodation

The Docklands Campus buildings

Docklands Campus

Two students at Docklands Campus

Students at Docklands Campus

Two students at Docklands Campus, drinking coffee outside Costa

Students at Docklands Campus

Stratford Campus - University House in the sunshine

Stratford Campus - University House

Students outside Stratford Library

Students outside Stratford Library

Two students working in the Bioscience Lab, one peering down a microscope

Bioscience Lab

The Hub Stratford

The Hub Stratford

Olympic Park Events Alumni

Olympic Park Events Alumni

Live on campus

We’re one of the only universities in London to have a self-contained campus and on-site accommodation. 

A diverse campus

We are diverse, inclusive, and supportive. Students at the University of East London benefit from learning alongside people from all over the world. 

Students feel welcomed and quickly find like-minded people no matter what they are into or where they’re from. Many of our students spark lifelong friendships while they’re here and become ambassadors for the University for many years after they graduate.

Supportive environment

We won’t let worry get in the way of studies. We have dedicated student services teams who can help with anything from support for dyslexia, advice about money, or guidance on mental health. In the Student Hub they can speak to people who know exactly how to help solve specific problems and make them seem more manageable. 

We provide comprehensive career advice from day one to graduation and beyond! This includes help and guidance on finding part-time working opportunities and placements.

See it for yourself

Discover the University of East London at one of our upcoming Open Days. As a parent, guardian or carers, you’re welcome to come along with your child or ward to an in-person or virtual event. 

Explore our campuses and ask questions about courses, fees and finance, accommodation and the support we provide.

UEL open days, campus tours and webinars | University of East London

Visit UEL at an open day, campus tour or webinar. Book your place and explore studying in London.

Discover more events at UEL

Useful links

  • Jargon buster

    Applying to university comes with a lot of new terms. This guide explains the key words you may see during the application process.

  • Parents' guide to fees and funding

    We know how concerning the cost of higher education can be for parents and guardians, and have provided resources to inform you of all the options available.

  • Parents FAQs

    We have prepared the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to ask our helpful staff.