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Support and opportunities for international students
15 January 2020
At UCL, students have access to a lot of support and opportunities ranging from academic to careers to mental health and wellbeing. But as an international student you also have access to a few more just for you! This article gives information on where to find this support.
Academic support
UCL expects high standards from its students but also makes sure that they are given every bit of academic support they might need to achieve those.
Make sure you become familiar with your personal tutor or affiliate tutor, and the departmental administrators. They are your first point of call for any difficulties you might be facing and, as they are within your department, they can offer advice which is specific to your course.
You can find more information on the Personal Tutors section of the UCL website.
Read this article about how personal tutors can help you succeed.
UCL online e-learning resources
These resources are also very useful as they allow you to access course materials, re-watch lectures and take part in online activities such as group work and assessment discussions. The UCL’s e-learning website provides more information about these resources.
Language support
One of the biggest challenges for a lot of international students can be the English language or adapting to the new academic system. However, we’ve got you covered.
The UCL Academic Communication Centre (ACC)
The ACC offers department specific support to international students in the form of English language courses, the Writing Lab, workshops and tutorials.
Read more about the UCL Academic Communication Centre (ACC).
Students' Union UCL Language and Writing Support Programme
The Language and Writing Support Programme offers international students workshops and one-to-one session to help with academic writing. They also host weekly “Coffee and Conversation” meet-ups which allow you to practice your spoken English with other students.
Read more about the Language and Writing Support Programme.
Cultural and social opportunities
UCL is a great place to develop and enjoy yourself but we recognise that settling into a new country and culture can at times be difficult. It is important that you make the most of your time in the UK, experience British culture but also create a network with other International students. Here are a few suggestions for you: International Student House (ISH), located not too far from UCL, offers social and cultural activities for London’s international students. They can also provide support with accommodation, scholarships, and much more. Check out ISH’s website for more information about their activities and how they can help you.
HOST UK is a charity which offers international students the chance to spend a day, weekend or holiday with a British family. This is a great way to discover more about British life and explore some of its areas and traditions. Go to the HOST UK’s website for more details on their homestays.
Students’ Union UCL has a wide range of clubs and societies, there is something for everyone and we would encourange you to get involved. You can find the full list of societies on their website
Mental health and wellbeing
The mental health and wellbeing of our students is of huge importance to UCL and the Student Support and Wellbeing team is there for you.
Our wellbeing, disability and mental health staff offer a safe and non-judgemental space for you to speak confidentially about anything that may be affecting you. You can speak to one of them at a drop-in session or in a phone appointment.
There are also a wide range of self-help resources online, including articles written by other students and the SSW team which can help you throughout your studies. These cover a variety of topics, from exam success to daily wellbeing. Check out UCL’s online mental health and wellbeing resources on the Student webpages.
Immigration and visa advice
The Immigration Advice team is here to assist students with guidance on applying for visas to study at UCL, including information on Tier 4 Visa applications, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), working in the UK, the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), medical electives, and the Doctoral Extension Scheme.
We have a useful website which has many tools to guide you through the Tier 4 application process and the EU Settlement Scheme. Our trained advisers can advise you on different immigration routes and also help with any visa related queries you have such as ‘what to do if you lose your BRP card’.
Find out more about immigration and visa advice at UCL.
The International Student pages can provide you with a lot of further advice when you are preparing to come to UCL and throughout your studies.
You can also contact the International Student Support team via askUCL if you need any guidance or support.
Good luck with your studies!
The International Student Support team