Hi! I’m Darcy, your Postgraduate Officer. I’m so excited to be telling you all about how you can make the most of your June, July and August with our Postgrad Summer programme. From trying a whole array of new things to upskilling yourself and boosting your CV, we’ve got loads of low cost, low commitment events taking place throughout summer. Check out our Postgraduate Summer page to see all the activities you can get involved with – there are more being added all the time!
Let's be honest - postgraduate life can be incredibly intense! Between hectic terms and deadlines, PG students rarely get breathing room. Summer is your chance to do more, and while the rest of campus seems fairly quiet, don't worry. I'm excited to help you make memories, meet new people, and build skills along the way.
Get to know your city and make new connections
A huge part of postgrad summer is about discovering London and your campus at UCL, encouraging you to take time to explore campus and immerse yourself in city life. London is an incredible place to be all year round, but there’s something special about the vibe in summer – and we want to help you make the most of it.
Worried about doing it alone? Don’t be – our activities are here to encourage you to build your community and grow your social connections. There will be mixers where everyone is in the same boat, but also tons of opportunities to grab a friend and bring them along with you. A couple of standout events I’m looking forward to are:
Take some time for yourself
Postgraduate summer is all about having fun and relieving stress. There will be a whole range of activities designed to help you switch off from your studies - from sports events to get your heart pumping, to something a little more restorative, like meditation. It's a great time to take advantage of the wellbeing, creative arts and volunteering events we'll have going on - the Postgraduate Summer page is constantly being updated, so make sure to keep an eye on it. I'm excited for:
Upskill yourself this summer
Use the summer to brush up on your skills, develop your CV and, build your network. We’ve got a line-up of low-commitment events and initiatives that will mean you never stop learning (and that your CV is constantly growing, too!). There's plenty more to come, but for now you can sign up to:
Here's what students have had to say about Postgrad summer:
"I enjoy volunteering for Project Active because I love to get people more active, especially since postgraduate life can be very stressful. Sports keeps people healthy and improves their mood, which really helps students cope with the student life. Plus, Regent’s Park on a sunny day will always brighten your mood!
My favourite part of this role is seeing people achieve something they never thought they could do. Some runners completed their very first 5K with us, while others ran for the first time after years of inactivity."
Adil Patel - Postgraduate Regents Park Run Instructor
"As an individual-centred activity, the Mindful Flow Yoga sessions may not seem great for socialising, but I have made some connections with people who attend regularly. The best part is you do not need to sign up for a whole term or month, as sessions can be booked for just a day, which is ideal when you want to try out different options and choose the ones you like the most. Also, there’s no need to worry at all about how good you are at something; all sessions are completely beginner friendly."
Ashana - PhD Student
I'm really excited for postgrad summer to get underway. Don't forget to check out all the events taking place (with more being added everyday), and most importantly - have FUN!