WP Summer Programme

An opportunity for Widening Participation (WP) students to participate in a fully funded short-term overseas programme.

Widening Participation (WP) Summer Study Abroad Programme

After the success of UCL Study Abroad’s WP Summer Study Abroad Programmes in Malaysia 2023 and Vietnam 2024, the third instalment of the week-long, fully funded opportunity was delivered in partnership with Mahidol Universiity, 15 - 21 June for the Thailand 2025 edition. The programme, specifcally for underrepresented students, focused on sustainability, leadership and cultural immersion and included:

  • Accommodation on campus in Salaya (about 50 minutes from Bangkok).
  • Welcome and farewell meals.
  • Lectures and workshops delivered by faculty members and international experts.
  • Social activities and cultural exchange with local students e.g. Thai boxing, Thai dancing, Bangkok tour. 
  • Site visits across and off-campus at various organisations like start ups and sustainable businesses.
  • Optional airport pickup and drop-off.
  • Certificate of completion at the end of the programme.

The opportunity for 2026 is TBC, however for more information please read the articles on previous programmes:

Only students from home-fee status, non-finalist undergraduate backgrounds that met at least one of the of the following underrepresented criteria, were eligible for this opportunity, with Study Abroad especially welcoming students from Care Experienced, Caring Responsibilities and Estranged backgrounds to apply:

  • Black African, Black Caribbean or mixed Black African/White or Black Caribbean/White
  • Care-experienced (have been in the care of, or have been given accommodation by, their local authority for a period of at least 13 weeks before the age of 16, and having not reconciled with their parent(s) between leaving care and starting their course)
  • Caring responsibilities (students who care unpaid for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem, or an addiction, cannot cope without their support)
  • Estranged students (neither of the students’ parents can be found or it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them)
  • Household income of £42,000 or less and receiving income-related benefits
  • Mature (21 years or older on the day they’ve started their first and current undergraduate degree)
  • Refugees and asylum seekers
  • Received an Access UCL offer
  • Studying part-time.

Students cannot additionally apply for a Global Experience Bursary and a place on the WP Summer Study Abroad Programme.

Application Deadline CLOSED 4 March 2025, 23:59. For any questions please contact the Study Abroad Team via askUCL. The programme for 2026 is TBC.

FAQ’s

By the end of March at the latest. If there are any date changes, it will only be one or two days shorter than the projected period.

Successful students will book their own flights, with expected arrival and departure dates they must be at the host country/university. 

No, only students that can fully commit to the programme should apply. If you are thinking of applying to other summer opportunities that potentially clash with the WP Summer Study Abroad Programme, do not apply.

If there are other summer opportunities that you are interested in and those dates do not clash with the WP Summer Study Abroad Programme, that is fine.

Students will receive a certificate of completion, but no credit towards their degree for participating.

If you are on a four-year degree that combines a bachelors and masters qualification, you may apply. One year masters students are not eligible.

There will be opportunities for successful students to meet each other online and in-person before departure. The host univesity will also hold a pre-deparutre briefing to answer specific questions about the programme, university and country in general. They will be able to advise on things like visas, vaccinations, what to pack etc.

There are no fee-paying places available on this programme

There is not a specific grade requirement for students to apply, but students must be in good academic standing to particiapte i.e. not failing any modules.

Students that applied, but did not secure a place last year may apply again this year, as long as they still meet hte above criteria.

Successful students from last year will not be priorisited for this year's programme.

Students will be contacted within three weeks of the deadline with the outcome of their application and if successful, will then be given guidance on the next steps to take.

Contact Study Abroad 

askUCL

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