Second annual UCL global citizenship programme is a great success

This year built on the 2013 pilot, expanding the number of first-year courses from two to four, and introducing new enterprise, volunteering and employability options for second and third/final year students. Over 450 participants who completed a minimum of 70% will have the Programme recorded on their HEAR for future employers to see.

Feedback from students has been excellent, highlighting the opportunity to learn new skills, work in multi-disciplinary groups on projects, and expand their social and professional networks as key benefits of taking part.

External organisations, such as those that hosted UCL students on short work placements as part of the Volunteering strand, were extremely complimentary about their enthusiasm and ability.

Professor Anthony Smith, Vice-Provost (Education), who is the strategic lead for UCL's Education for Global Citizenship, said, "The Programme remains an optional, non-credit bearing opportunity, so I am delighted to see so many UCL students taking advantage and committing themselves to two weeks of 'extra' work. The team will now be working on increasing participation next year, and judging by the very positive feedback I've seen, we'll have a small army of student ambassadors encouraging as many people as possible to take part."

The UCL Global Citizenship Programme was introduced in 2013 and is a free, two-week programme of additional courses open to all undergraduates. In each year of the Programme, students will follow different journeys - academic courses based around the UCL Grand Challenges in the first year, and practical, real-world projects in enterprise, volunteering and employability in the second and final years. It is designed to give students two weeks additional teaching and learning in the post-exam period, focusing on building key skills for future study and employment as part of UCL's commitment to Education for Global Citizenship.

Contact globalcitizenshipprogramme@ucl.ac.uk for more information or visit www.ucl.ac.uk/global-citizenship/programme. 

Josh Blacker  Global Citizenship Officer, Vice-Provost (Education)'s Office