Friends of UCL Computer Science is our new partnership programme for industry partners and alumni. Actively engage and collaborate with us to shape the future of computer science
What is Friends of UCL Computer Science?
Friends of UCL Computer Science is our partnership programme that fosters positive transformation in computer science and for society at large. Our friends are our key supporters among industry partners, alumni, academia, and our students, all of whom have the opportunity to create meaningful connections in their respective fields of interest.
We focus on student and alumni development, co-research, and co-innovation to tackle real-world challenges.
Why you should get involved
Being a Friend of UCL CS offers you and your organisation the opportunity to:
Build Valuable Connections: Connect with fellow alumni, industry professionals, and academics to enhance your career journey.
Spark Innovation: Share your ideas for student projects, creating innovative solutions that benefit your industry and society.
Mentor the Next Generation: Use your expertise and connections to support early-career talent.
Forge New Ventures: Collaborate on developing new products or services, tapping into UCL's expertise.
Be Part of a Thriving Community: Stay engaged with a dynamic, world-leading Computer Science community full of energy and potential.
How you can get involved
Connect
Reach out to us via email or social media and have a virtual meeting with our dedicated team.
Sign up to our newsletter.
Attend exclusive Friends of CS events including tech talks and an annual dinner.
Collaborate
Offer student projects via our sector leading UCL Industry Exchange Network programme (IXN).
Build your talent and innovation pipeline, whether you run a start-up or manage a team in your company.
See if your company would like to participate in a hackathon.
Community
Become a student mentor and give informal careers advice to our talented students.
Promote a job opportunity in your company.
Volunteer to serve on our Friends of CS Steering Committee.
Donate, including sponsoring a scholarship or student prize.
How you can join
Forging strong, engaging relations with industry is integral to both the learning experience of our students and the success of the department as a whole.
SAT can provide you with information about joining Friends of UCL Computer Science, forming new partnerships, and helping to advance cutting-edge research.
Benefits for our Friends
Bronze
- Project abstracts publicised on IXN student showcase materials.
- Unlimited Undergraduate or Graduate student projects with IP given to company ( subject to academic approval)
Funding is available for a single engagement event aimed at UG and MSc students, providing an opportunity to engage with our talented students and deliver a tech talk.
Silver
- All 'Bronze' benefits
- Dedicated account manager from our Strategic Alliances Team (SAT)
- Sponsorship of a student engagement event, including catering for up to 50 attendees
- Careers Service Recruiters' Club membership
- Invite to student projects showcase
- Promotion of up to 2 job posts per year to our student/alumni network
- Careers Fair stand
Gold
- All 'Silver' benefits
- Sponsorship of 5 x £1000 prizes or one £5000 student bursary (gift)
- "Recruiter in residence" - hold your interviews on campus in one of our meeting rooms.
- Complimentary exclusive Annual dinner with our Head of Department
- Premium Careers Service Recruiters' Club membership
- Half-day executive education including catering for up to 20 attendees
- Recognition through case study and logo on our departmental website
Platinum
- All "Gold" benefits
- Invitation to attend and network with our PhD students
- Dedicated career support to run reverse mentoring programmes
- Full-day executive education for c-suite including catering for up to 30 attendees
- A place for you or a senior executive on our new Friends of CS Steering Committee
- Multi-disciplinary hackathons/ consultancy challenges.
- Named bursary for under-represented groups in tech (e.g. women and black students)
Benefits to those Alumni serving on the Friends of UCL CS committee
The Friends of UCL CS committee serves as the steering body responsible for overseeing the partnership programme and implementing initiatives to enhance its effectiveness.
The committee comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, including academia, alumni, industry professionals and people involved in strategic partnerships.
Benefits for Alumni serving on the committee include:
- Quarterly meetings to shape the future of the department
- Complimentary exclusive Annual dinner with our Head of Department
- Favourable rates for our Silver and Gold memberships to the companies the Alumni work for.