Become a Transition Mentor

Application Process

1. Apply online

Complete and submit the simple application form. We would recommend typing your answers out first in a seperate document and then copy and pasting them into the application form. You can apply to be a Transition Mentor, Senior Mentor or both depending on your eligibility.

Top tip: Read the full Job Description and Person Specification and make sure your application explains how your experience matches this.

2. How we shortlist candidates

Your application will be reviewed* against the criteria outlined in the Person Specification by the Welcome & Induction Team and applicants who best match the criteria will be selected as Transition or Senior Mentors. Your department may choose to review the shortlisted candidates. Following the selection panel's shortlisting process you will receive notification on the outcome of your application.

*Did you know all UCL selection members are required to complete a Fair and Inclusive Recruitment training to ensure an equitable recruitment experience.

3. Your application outcome

You will receive an email confirming whether your application has been successful or not.

If your application is successful, you will be appointed as a Transition or Senior Mentor. You will receive further details on how to complete your Right to Work check through Unitemps and the compulsory training details that are required before starting the role.

You may be offered the role of 'Reserve Transition Mentor'. Reserve mentors will be contacted in Term One if a Transition or Senior Mentor withdraws and is now longer able to take up their role. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Transition Mentor Programme?

The UCL Transition Programme is designed to help first year students settle into university life. Transition Mentors give advice on academic topics, support services and administrative tasks need to be completed as a first year UG student. Transition mentors meet mentees for an introductory session during enrolment, then weekly throughout first term. The programme ends formally in December. Mentors are encouraged to conduct most mentor sessions in person, however there is also the option to host these virtually if appropriate.

Experienced Senior Mentors provide support and guidance to a group of approximately ten transition mentors in their department.

Transition is a large scheme of about 800 Transition Mentors and 80 Senior Mentors. It is centrally administrated by staff members in the Welcome and Induction Team (Transition). The Transition Team recruit, train and pay all mentors, provide guidance and resources, answer queries and resolve problems. The goal is to ensure that every UCL first year undergraduate student is supported by a trained, competent Transition Mentor in their first term.

All undergraduate academic departments work with the Transition Team to deliver their local transition programme. Academic departments are responsible for booking and coordinating Meet Your Mentor sessions during enrolment week. Departments can also run their own additional local induction activities, in addition to the Transition programme.

UCL’s Student Support and Wellbeing team provide additional advice and guidance on their support services which are open to all UCL students.

What is a Transition Mentor?

The Transition Mentor Programme supports all first-year undergraduate students in their transition to university in Term One. This transition can be a particularly stressful time for students as they adapt to a different way of life and new academic demands. Transition Mentors provide peer support to first year students in their department/degree programme through regular in-person group mentoring meetings. 

Transition Mentors work to support a group of approximately ten first-year students on a weekly basis throughout Term One, delivering ten group sessions in person (one session per week) following set session plans. Mentors act as a key contact for support and signpost student services that first-year students require. Transition Mentors also plan and deliver their own sessions where relevant.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to develop leadership, interpersonal and organisation skills. Transition Mentors will be supported by a Senior Mentor and trained by the Transition Team to undertake their duties.

What is a Senior Mentor?

The Transition Mentor Programme supports all first-year undergraduate students in their transition to university in Term One. This transition can be a particularly stressful time for students as they adapt to a different way of life and new academic demands. Senior Mentors provide supervision and guidance to mentors in their department/degree programme as well as administrative support the Transition Team and departments

Senior Mentors provide support to a group of approximately ten Transition Mentors throughout the Transition Mentor Programme and contribute to the department specific training and session planning. Senior Mentors support the Transition Team with mentor group allocations/matching, general administration, tracking the session logs and performance of Transition Mentors and liaise with Departments. The role also involves arranging weekly check in with allocated Transition Mentors and arranging a department social. There will also be opportunities for additional paid responsibilities.

This is a great opportunity for students to build on skills gained as a Transition Mentor and develop your communication, administration and leadership skills.

Who can apply to be a Transition Mentor?

Transition Mentors are UCL undergraduate students who have completed the first year of their degree programme. Mentors can be in their second, third or fourth year when mentoring, depending on the degree programme. UCL postgraduate students can apply to be mentors if they have already completed the undergraduate degree programme they wish to mentor for, and have then continued into a postgraduate programme in the same academic department.

These students are not eligible to become a Transition Mentor:

• Affiliate students from other institutions who are taking modules at UCL
• Students who will be on a study abroad programme, out of London or otherwise not sufficiently available for their mentee group during the first term
• Postgraduate students who have not completed an undergraduate degree programme at UCL

Download the job description and find out more information about the roles and responsibilities of a Transition Mentor here.

Who can apply to be a Senior Mentor?

Senior Mentors are UCL undergraduate or postgraduate students who are still studying in the academic department they wish to mentor for, and who have previously worked as a Transition Mentor (ideally in the year immediately prior to becoming a Senior Mentor). If you have not previously worked as a Transition Mentor, you cannot be a Senior Mentor.

Download the job description and find out more information about the roles and responsibilities of a Senior Mentor here.

Can I apply for both Transition and Senior Mentor?

Yes! If you have previously been a Transition Mentor and wish to be considered for either role, you can submit an application for both roles. 

Please be aware that you will only be allocated to one role. Only in exceptional circumstances will a student be offered a dual role and take on the responsibilities of a Senior Mentor in addition to being a Transition Mentor.

I was a Senior Mentor or Transition Mentor last year, do I need to reapply?

If you worked as a Senior Mentor or Transition Mentor in previous years, you will be required to resubmit an application. This is to ensure that we are recruiting the highest quality Transition Mentors and Senior Mentors to support our incoming cohort of undergraduates.

What does a good application look like?

Here are some top tips when answering the questions in the application form:

• Make sure you have read the job description and person specification carefully
• Avoid simply repeating what is written in the job description, we want to know about what makes you stand out!
• Include examples of what you have done that shows you would be an excellent Transition or Senior Mentor 
• Use the STAR technique where relevant
• Type out your answers in a word document, proof read carefully before copy and pasting into the application form 
• Stick to the 250 word count limit

Where can I find out more about the role?

The Transition Mentor Programme website provides an overview of the programme, responsibilities & requirements, training & support provided as well as the benefits of the role.

If you have any further questions, you can contact the Transition Team by email at transition@ucl.ac.uk  

I have been offered the role of 'Reserve Mentor', what does this mean?

If you have been offered the role of 'Reserve Mentor' this means that you have been placed on the reserve list. Reserve mentors will be contacted in Term One if a Transition or Senior Mentor withdraws and is now longer able to take up their role.

Our Reserve Mentors are fantastic at stepping in and helping out a mentor group at short notice and will be paid for the training they complete and sessions run. You can opt out of the reserve list at any point by emailing transition@ucl.ac.uk.

Is the role paid?

Transition Mentors are paid at a Grade 3, Spine 8 via UCL Unitemps (plus holiday pay and sickness pay). Transition Mentors receive a flat fee for preparation and communication (6 hours) and claim for the sessions they facilitate (up to 10 hours). 

Senior Mentors are paid at a Grade 3, Spine 9 via UCL Unitemps (plus holiday pay and sickness pay). Senior Mentors receive a flat fee for delivering the Senior Mentor duties (16 hours).

Please note that training is unpaid for both roles.

What are the benefits of taking part in the programme?

Working as a Transition or Senior Mentor Working brings a range of benefits and enhances a wide range of skills. You can find out all about these benefits on the website. 
 

My application was unsuccessful, will I receive feedback?

The Transition Team receive thousands of applications for the Transition Mentor Programme. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we are unable to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates. 

We strongly encourage you to visit UCL Careers, who provide support and guidance on job applications and we hope you will apply again next year, if you are still studying at UCL.