Schools Outreach
We are involved in a wide range of outreach activities with UK state schools and colleges.
A-COMPS Mentoring Programme
A-COMPS (Apply Competitively into STEM) is a UCL Computer Science mentoring scheme which supports students from disadvantaged or under-represented backgrounds enter higher education.
In2STEM
In2STEM UK is an award winning charity which empowers students from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their potential and progress to STEM and research careers. UCL CS partners with In2STEM to provide a summer school for about 15 students on the London programme.
Find out more and sign up by following the links on the In2STEM website.
UCL Computer Science Summer School
The UCL Computer Science summer school offers a fun and supportive learning experience for A-COMPS and In2Stem A-level students aged 16 and 17.
Students will be guided by UCL CS research groups through masterclasses, hands-on activities, and challenges to learn about computer science. Alongside technical skills, they will also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, which are crucial for success in technology.
UCL CS's Partnership with Thinking Black
UCL Computer Science first partnered with Thinking Black in July 2023. This collaboration was established to address the underrepresentation of Black students in computer science and the tech industry. It involves initiatives such as a short course on Artificial Intelligence and Bias, as well as outreach programmes like on-campus bootcamps and workshops.
Thinking Black was founded in 2020 by UCL PhD student Hope Oloye and focuses on empowering young Black British students through education and skills development.
Rae Harbird Day
Rae Harbird Day is an annual celebration of the life and legacy of a cherished member of the UCL Computer Science community through a dedicated day of activities in subjects dear to her, such as promoting diversity, fostering education, and championing gender equality. In 2025 Rae Harbird's day will take place on 2 April welcoming school groups to our facilities at UCL East and the IOE.
2024 Rae Harbird Day
On 26 March 2024, UCL CS hosted an Outreach Day, welcoming school groups to our facilities. This event provided students with a glimpse of university life and inspired them to pursue higher education in computer science.
Read more about the 2024 Rae Harbird Day
UCL CS School Visits
Aiming at increasing students' awareness of the importance of computer science and the career opportunities it offers, CS Ambassadors engage students in interactive activities and provide them with hands-on experience with coding and programming.
During the school visits, CS Ambassadors also inform students about UCL's undergraduate and postgraduate courses in computer science and provide information about admission requirements, application process, and scholarships available for anyone interested in pursuing a degree in computer science.
On Campus Visits
To give students a glimpse of the university environment and to inspire them to pursue higher education in computer science, we also welcome school groups to visit our facilities. In such visits, pupils can learn about the research projects and participate in interactive workshops and seminars.
During the visit, pupils will have the chance to engage with current UCL CS students and faculty members who will give them guidance and insights into university life. The department also provides students with campus tours, which give them a comprehensive understanding of the UCL community and the services available to them.
UCL is committed to addressing the issue of the imbalanced male-to-female ratio and lack of diversity in CS-related organisations globally. In line with this commitment, UCL CS also aims to promote greater inclusivity.
For this, a 50-50 policy will be implemented, prioritising schools that can ensure a balanced gender representation among their students. We are also committed to inclusion and equity, so we prioritise schools that actively support pupils from disadvantaged or under-represented backgrounds.
Registration
Register your interest in hosting UCL CS at your school.
Please note this form is intended for school representatives only.
UCL Computer Science First All Girl's Hackathon
On 25 January 2025 UCL CS hosted its inaugural All Girl's Hackathon designed to inspire the next generation of tech leaders. The Hackathon aimed to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation through offering mentorship from experts, hands-on problem-solving, and the chance to showcase projects and receieve feedback on projects from our world leading researchers.
Tech for Good Lab
The Tech for Good Lab provides a space where technology meets purpose. This innovative hub demonstrates how computer science can address some of society’s most pressing challenges. On 25 February 2025 and 11 March 2025 schools 4 schools were invited to participate in an inspiring and interactive experience that connected education, research, and real-world impact.
Participants had the opportunity to engage with UCL’s leading academics, researchers, and industry professionals. Students heard from experts shaping the future of computer science and learnt how technology is being used to tackle global issues.
Additionally, they had the chance to explore a range of technologies including MotionInput Games touchless gaming software. This revolutionary technology transforms simple gestures into digital commands, providing a hands-on introduction to how computer science can enhance accessibility and inclusion.
MotionInput Games
Year 12 Experience Systems Engineering for the Internet of Things at UCL East
UCL East is offering a unique opportunity for students from a local state school to gain firsthand experience of what it’s like to be a student in the Systems Engineering for the Internet of Things MSc program.
Between January and April, a group of students will work on developing an original project aimed at solving a real-world problem. With guidance from UCL academics, students will learn to approach complex challenges using systems engineering principles.
In April, participating students will be invited to present their innovative ideas alongside UCL’s MSc students at a special showcase event. This event will be attended by industry partners, providing students with invaluable exposure and feedback from professionals in the field.
Bioinspired Robotics
Today’s scientists and engineers draw inspiration from the animal kingdom in creating the next generation of robots to help us to solve some of the biggest challenges facing humankind.
We have designed an interdisciplinary project with UCL Culture for schools in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. The project aims to enable students and teachers to explore the links between biology and robotics through a series of interconnected, hands-on activities.
The project includes:
- A twilight CPD session for teachers,
- An animal locomotion workshop in the Grant Museum of Zoology for the school,
- The loan of a bioinspired robotics kit to the school with technical support from our students.
View the robotics teaching material for schools.
Booking information is available through UCL Culture.
VR Club
VR Club is a monthly event where the Virtual Environments and Computer Graphics (VECG) Group hosts demos and mini-talks about Virtual Reality in our labs.
There are two demo sites:
- At 169 Euston Road Basement VR Lab, we will show the HTC Vive systems, PS VR2, Varjo XR1 & XR3, Magic Leap One and HoloLens. You can chat with some of the PhD students doing studies in mixed reality.
- At Malet Place Engineering Building Ground Floor VR lab we will show the CAVE, show off our "HMD museum" and talk about some of the more exploratory hardware work we do in robotics, multi-sensory devices, displays and haptics.
Previous UCL CS outreach activities
Find out more about the outreach activities we've ran in the past with learners, teachers and schools.
How UCL Computer Science is helping teachers
