Help your students get engaged with UCL life and learning

The rush of the first few weeks is over, and if they’re yet to find community and friends, university life can start to feel lonely. Students can also start to feel pressure from upcoming deadlines and assessments.  

Our research with Students’ Union UCL has shown that engaged students have a stronger sense of community and belonging within UCL, feel safer on campus and are less likely to drop out of their course. 

So, how can you encourage your students to get engaged with their studies, find community, and make the most of UCL? 

Ways to enrich student life beyond the classroom 

The Student Life strategy aims to give all students the chance to form connections and take on opportunities alongside their studies. Opportunities include:  

• ArtsUnlocked –  weekly classes provide open, welcoming experiences that inspire, develop skills and foster community. Find an art class. 
• TeamUCL Leagues – where people come together to play a wide range of sports for fun. Students can join an existing team or start their own, no matter their experience level. Find out how to join a league. 
• Make a difference with other UCL students and volunteer with organisations across London working to change lives. Find an opportunity.  
• Discover London with a range of trips and activities aimed at helping students settle into the city together. 
• Join a group – there are more than 400 groups for students to choose from, and they’re welcoming new members every day. Students can find a taster session, or join a group with a taster membership to try it out before committing.  
• Project Active – no commitment, no experience, no judgement-activities designed to help people get moving together in a way that works for them. Explore fitness classes and team sports. 
• Departmental Societies bring students together around a shared passion in their chosen subject. The societies help students explore topics outside of the classroom with trips, guest speaker events, and socials. Find your department’s society. 

Opportunities and sources of support for learning 

• Personal Academic Tutor: an undergraduate or taught postgraduate student’s go-to person for help with their academic work, if they need encouragement or help to navigate support services.  
• The ExtendED Learning programme in Term 3 offers a range of opportunities for students to develop their skills – from consultancy challenges to innovations labs. Students can register interest now. 
• The Academic Communications Centre helps students to communicate more effectively in their discipline. They offer one-to-one tutorials, tailored workshops and courses across faculties, at all levels of study, with all language backgrounds. You can also refer students to them for support with good academic practice.  
• Student Academic Reps represent students’ academic interests within their course, department, or faculty. Over 1,500 Reps listen to students' concerns, and present feedback and ideas to improve education at UCL.  

Wellbeing support 

Student Support and Wellbeing Services are open to UCL students at any level of study. Our team of expert wellbeing, disability and mental health staff provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to discuss any issues that may be affecting a student’s ability to study.