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Envision UCL is a programme of three in-person events exclusively for students of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage in Year 10, who are interested in learning more about university
Applications for this year's Envision programme are now closed. If you would like to be notified when applications for Envision UCL 2025-26 are open, please get in touch via wp.pre16@ucl.ac.uk.
Are you a Year 10 pupil of Black heritage? Do you want to find out more about your options after secondary school? Are you interested in attending university? Then Envision UCL is for you!
What is Envision UCL?
Envision UCL is a programme exclusively for students of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage in Year 10, who are interested in learning more about university and their future options.
The Envision programme will consist of in-person events taking place across three Saturdays on the UCL Bloomsbury campus in central London. The events are free to attend and a packed lunch will be provided to all attendees. There will also be an online session for parents and carers.
Programme dates & location
| Event | Format | Date & Time |
|---|---|---|
| Launch event | Online | 5–6:30pm, Wednesday, 30 April |
| Day 1 | In person | 9:30am–3:30pm, Saturday, 10 May |
| Day 2 | In person | 9:30am–3:30pm, Saturday, 7 June |
| Parents & carers session | Online | 6–7pm, Wednesday, 25 June |
| Day 3 | In person | 9:30am–3:30pm, Saturday, 12 July |
Location for in-person days: UCL Bloomsbury Campus (Central London)
Please note: we expect successful applicants to attend all three in-person events, so please only apply if you are confident that you can complete all elements of the programme.
Why attend?
By taking part in Envision, you will have the opportunity to:
- Gain practical skills and knowledge to help you plan your future
- Participate in interactive workshops to boost your self-confidence
- Connect with inspiring and relatable role models
- Spend time with current UCL students of Black heritage and gain authentic insights into university life
- Learn how to prepare for university life
- Visit the campus and find out more about UCL
And it is FREE to attend!
- Online drop-in sessions
Have questions about Envision UCL? Join one of our informal, online drop-in sessions to get the answers you need!
No registration is required, just click on the relevant link within the times listed below to join the session. Our friendly Envision UCL team will be available throughout each session to provide information and answer your questions. The sessions will be hosted using Zoom webinar and you will be able to submit your questions anonymously in writing.
These drop-in sessions are open to all: young people, parents, carers, teachers, education professionals, and community leaders are all welcome. Whether you're thinking of applying or simply want to learn more, we're here to help!
Session 1: Wednesday 19 March 16:15-17:00
Session 2: Tuesday 25 March 13:00-13:45
- Who can take part?
To be eligible for Envision, you must be:
- From a Black African, Black Caribbean, Mixed Black (e.g. White and Black Caribbean), or other Black background;
- Currently in Year 10 in England and Wales, S3 in Scotland and Y11 in Northern Ireland;
- Attending a UK state school.
Participants for this programme will be selected using the shortlisting criteria found on the Who we work with webpage to prioritise young people from the least represented groups. You will be awarded points based on the number of criteria that you meet. Applicants with the highest numbers of points will be offered the places available on the programme.
As they are underrepresented across our activities, priority will also be given to males and those from a Black Caribbean background.
- FAQs
When is the deadline to apply?
The deadline to apply for Envision UCL is 10am on Monday, 31 March 2025. Any applications received after this time will not be seen.
I don't live in London, can UCL help with travel costs?
If you are awarded a place on Envision but the cost of travel would be a barrier to you attending, and you meet the criteria of our travel support fund, we will fund or part fund your travel to and from the UCL campus so that you can take part in the programme. The travel support fund will remain active whilst funds are available. To be eligible for travel support, you must be attending a state school, live outside of a London Borough and meet one or more of the criteria listed in our participant travel policy.
What happens at an Envision UCL event?
Envision events typically run from 10am until 3pm and feature a mixture of icebreaker tasks, group activities, Q&A sessions and presentations. Each event will have a 45-minute lunch break and couple of other short breaks. The events will take place in different locations throughout the UCL Bloomsbury campus in central London.
Is there a dress code?
There is no dress code but as you will be going outside at several points during each event, for example during the campus tour, you are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the weather on the day.
If you have any further questions about the Envision programme, please see above for details about the drop-in sessions we will be hosting.
Do I have to attend with a parent or carer?
Parents and carers will be invited and encouraged to attend some elements of the programme, but this is optional and you do not need to be accompanied in order to attend. We will also be running an online event specifically for parents and carers.
- Highlights from Envision 2023–24
Last year we had a fantastic cohort of 65 young people take part in the Envision UCL programme and it was a great success. Please see below for some highlights and quotes from past participants:
- 91% of the cohort said that they enjoyed taking part in the programme.
- After taking part in Envision, 96% of participants said they knew what studying at university would be like, compared to only 35% prior to the programme.
- Prior to the programme, only 45% of parents and carers said they felt knowledgeable about the university application process, compared to 75% afterwards.
My favourite part about today was learning about the pathways to university, because I now have more knowledge on how the application process works and different ways to find what is suitable for me." (Envision UCL 23–24 participant)
The 20/20 Levels session was my favourite part because the energy was good and the ideas that were being put out were constructive and helped solidify my confidence in my identity." (Envision UCL 23–24 participant)
The ACS event was very fun and interactive and helped me understand the opportunities for black students at UCL." (Envision UCL 23–24 participant)
You can read a case study about last year's Envision programme in the news section of our website.
