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SQUID: Student Quality Improvement & Development Fund

The Student Quality Improvement and Development fund (SQUID), aims to improve and develop the quality of medical education for UCL students

Improving the quality of education for UCL medical students and ensuring high standards within teaching and learning processes is a core objective of the Quality Assurance & Enhancement Unit (QAEU).  

The QAEU administers a funding scheme, the Student Quality Improvement and Development fund (SQUID), which aims to improve and develop the quality of medical education for UCL students.

If you have an innovative idea for a concept aimed at enhancing your medical student experience and require funding, then why not apply for a SQUID?

We are now inviting proposals and commissioning educational development and innovation projects for students, by students.

How to apply:

  • Applications are welcome from all students studying on the MBBS programme
  • A maximum of £500 is available to support your project
  • Funding is available to support a wide range of projects to address significant, educational priorities, as identified by feedback, external monitoring and/or other quality review procedures (QAEU priorities)
  • Ethical approval, if applicable, must be obtained or applied for prior to applying for funding
  • Commissioning and evaluation of applications will be undertaken by members of the QAEU
  • Funds are subject to availability and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. If the total funds for an academic year are exhausted, you will need to delay your application until the following year when the SQUID fund will re-open. 
  • A written report must be produced within 12 months of obtaining the funding outlining the results
  • All applicants must complete an application form and have a nominated supervisor, who is happy to support them

If you would like to apply, please read the guidance, complete our application form below and send it to the QAEU unit.

Previous SQUID projects

To date, SQUID funding has been provided for the following student projects:

  • An evaluation of the organisation and implementation of Foundation Interim Year 1 (FiY1) placements and their effect on preparedness for practice of final year UCL medical students
  • A comparison of medical student experience of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic and normal in-person teaching
  • Diabetes & Endocrinology Podcast: A searchable podcast library
  • Supporting the UCLMS' assessment item amnesty
  • Studentcast: generation of a series of podcasts on topics from the MBBS Year 1 Pharmacology syllabus
  • Audit of radiological images used for teaching in the 'Anatomy and Imaging' vertical module
  • Improving students' usage of, and educational benefit from, online patient systems at the Whittington Health Trust
  • Exploring the adaption of simulation software to improve 'Case of the Month'
  • Moodle mindfulness practice for medical students
  • Medical School mental health awareness week
  • Developing an examiner training video for the Year 2 OCAPE
  • Reflecting on reflection: examining students' views of the nature and role of reflective practice in the UCLMS curriculum