Indian students form a significant part of the international community at University College London, focusing on a really broad scope of disciplines and availing themselves of exceptional academic and professional resources.
In this two-part interview, The Free Press Journal speaks with Professor Geraint Rees, Vice Provost for Research, Innovation, and Global Engagement at UCL. In Part 1, Professor Rees talks about why Indian students are eyeing UCL, what programmes they mostly come for, and how the university prepares them for a rapidly changing global job market.
Along with talking about the new scholarship schemes introduced by UCL, he also highlighted the ULC’s efforts to make it an institution that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation for the students there.
FPJ: What makes UCL an attractive destination for Indian students
Professor Rees: UCL is a top choice for Indian students due to our commitment to diversity, academic excellence, and addressing global challenges. UCL offers cutting-edge research and innovation opportunities across disciplines, from science to hum.ties. We are rated second in the UK for research power in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, and we believe in bringing together diverse perspectives. We are committed to helping UCL students develop transferable entrepreneurial skills and start their own ventures. This support all takes place at BaseKX, UCL’s dedicated entrepreneurship hub in King’s Cross. UCL has a rich history of collaboration with India, one that stretches back as far as the 1800s. Today, nearly 1,000 Indian students are studying at UCL, as well as many collaborations, across all disciplines, between UCL and partners in India, including IISc, AIIMS, and IIT Delhi.
FPJ: What are the most popular courses and emerging fields among Indian students at UCL?
Professor Rees: Indian students are drawn to a wide range of programmes at UCL, including economics and management, computer science, law, and architectural and urban design—all of which are considered among the finest courses of their kind in the world. These areas leverage the university’s frontier research and are particularly attractive to students looking to make a difference in the world. More recently, emerging fields such as data science, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development are beginning to garner much more interest from international students. The exponential growth of these areas in the last decade has led to a deluge of bright young minds coming to UCL in search of the knowledge and skills they need to shape tomorrow’s solutions. Psychology is also becoming increasingly popular.
FPJ: With the rapid advancement of digital technologies, what specific initiatives has UCL introduced to prepare students and professionals for the future of work?
Professor Rees: The future of work is going to be all about harnessing the potential of flexible work and capitalising on new technology. The past few years have shown us that how and where people work is far more flexible than most people imagined. UCL’s Innovation & Enterprise team helps students develop transferable entrepreneurial skills and start their own ventures. All current students and recent graduates can benefit from the free extracurricular activities that take place at BaseKX, UCL’s dedicated entrepreneurship hub in King’s Cross. They can grow their startup into a thriving business or social enterprise by joining our equity-free Hatchery startup incubator programme, and if graduates want to stay in the UK after their studies to start a business, we can help them get endorsed for an Innovator Founder visa. Whether students want to start their own venture, tackle global issues, or boost their employability, we can help them develop skills and take the first step.
FPJ: Could you outline the scholarships or funding aid UCL provides to Indian students?
Professor Rees: In 2023, UCL announced a new scholarship scheme to enable 100 of India’s brightest students to pursue full-time Master’s degree studies at UCL. Thirty-three scholarships were made available for the 2024-25 academic year, awarded to exceptional students who have or were on track to achieve a first-class degree. A further 67 scholarships will be awarded during the following two years. As part of the UCL India Excellence Scholarships, which is UCL’s most extensive Indian scheme to date, prospective Master’s students in any discipline can receive £5,000 towards their studies. UCL’s Global Undergraduate and Master’s Scholarships also enable and encourage international students from low-income backgrounds to pursue full-time undergraduate and master’s degrees with us.
FPJ: How does UCL help Indian students access career resources, internships, and postgraduation employment opportunities?
Professor Rees: UCL works to help our students build employability skills on top of gaining an excellent degree that leads to success in the workplace. In fact, we have been ranked among the top 20 universities worldwide for graduate employability. This year, 19 UCL alumni and students earned a place in Forbes’ annual Top 30 Under 30 list of leading entrepreneurs and creatives in Europe, recognised for their achievements in fields such as international journalism, artificial intelligence, and child healthcare. In total, more than 500 new student start-up businesses were founded at UCL between 2014 and 2023.
Wherever in the world they come from, UCL aims to give its students a global experience, and our dedicated UCL Study Abroad and UCL Careers teams can offer a range of bursaries and opportunities to help them venture beyond the classroom to develop their skills. UCL Careers offers professional help and advice to students and recent graduates seeking employment, work experience placements, or further study through internships and jobs through its jobs board, events, resources, and one-to-one appointments for bespoke advice. Our Alumni Relations office also facilitates networking to help UCL graduates in their chosen careers.
FPJ: What role do you see cross-border partnerships playing in driving innovation and solving shared global challenges, especially for India and the UK?
Professor Rees: UCL has a rich history of collaboration with India that stretches back as far as the 1800s. Partnerships between leading universities in India and the UK can expand the capacity of both countries to realise the economic and social benefits of research and innovation. Existing collaborations enable both countries to leverage our complementary strengths in science, technology, and innovation while tackling the most pressing global issues. Both nations are wellpositioned to solve these challenges and shape a more sustainable future. There is so much we can learn from each other.
