UCL has a well-established Study Abroad programme, welcoming students from around the world who wish to gain credit for study undertaken at UCL in order to graduate from their home institutions.
![Affiliate Students Affiliate Students](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/earth-sciences/sites/earth_sciences/files/styles/super_xl_image/public/page-affiliate.jpg?itok=kkt-8Uvu)
The Department welcomes and actively recruits affiliate students from outside the UK to add breadth and diversity to both the affiliates and our existing student body. As a department we fully participate in available programmes that allow international students to come to UCL, including the Erasmus+ exchange for EU students, international exchange programmes and the US Junior Year Abroad programme. Currently, we admit four to five affiliate students per year. The prospective candidates will find full entry details on the Information for Prospective International Students and Study Abroad Guide pages.
Marisa Niegemann
![Marisa Niegemann Marisa Niegemann](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/earth-sciences/sites/earth_sciences/files/styles/small_image/public/icon-marisa_niegemann.jpg?itok=f8TdtpNR)
Back home we are encouraged to spend a semester or a year abroad because of the international nature of my major. I chose UCL because the Earth Sciences program provided classes that were very interesting to me. Another reason for choosing UCL was the fact that the Earth Sciences department is very small, which gives it a very cozy atmosphere.
Here at UCL I was able to experience what it´s like when professors know your name and you can ask them for help when needed. There are many services and help available regarding career services and the university has its students very involved in all of its policies. My classmates were very friendly and through them I was able to experience a nice teamwork environment. This has made my overall UCL experience very positive: my faculty was a niche in the middle of big, international, exciting London, the city that hosts the Natural History Museum.
Alice Michel
![Alice Michel Alice Michel](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/earth-sciences/sites/earth_sciences/files/styles/small_image/public/icon-alice_michel.jpg?itok=ObtyfLjH)
I am a third-year geobiology major at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and last autumn I had the opportunity to study abroad in the Earth Sciences department at UCL.
It was a wonderful component to my college education and experience. At UCL, I learned so much about my major, through classes and my adventures around London and beyond, I made friends from all over the world, I explored all I could, from concerts to museums to gardens and parks, and I feel that it brought me closer to figuring out who I want to be.
I chose UCL because I wanted to attend a large, global university in the heart of London, and I was attracted to the stellar Earth Sciences department. At UCL I found top scientists in not only the Earth Sciences department, but in every field, and they all were approachable and helpful. In addition to my geology courses, I got to take an architecture and a biology class. As I expected, I came to love London in every way, and I found myself loving my classes more than I ever had before. One of my favorite moments was going on a tour of the Natural History Museum led by a leading paleontologist - my lecturer for UCL’s second-year paleontology module. Even everyday practicals in the Grant Museum of Zoology were unique and exciting experiences. Another highlight, having grown up in LA, was getting to use London's great public transportation system and walking everywhere! Studying abroad at UCL made me more well-rounded in my field of study, more versed in the world, eager to come back to London, and just plain happy.
Erica Yee
![Erica Yee Erica Yee](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/earth-sciences/sites/earth_sciences/files/styles/small_image/public/erica_yee.jpg?itok=E2wN8weM)
I am a second-year student at Columbia University, majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. Although not my programme at my home institution, I studied in the Earth Sciences department at UCL as I was also interested in geomaterials and structural geology. I chose UCL for its unparalleled location and global academic reputation. Many courses in the Earth Sciences department integrated fieldwork, which was a great experience; I got to study the beautiful white cliffs of Dorset. Additionally, I gained a multidisciplinary education, as I took geology modules as well as two outside of the department in history and art history.
My experience at UCL was wonderful. In the Earth Sciences department, the professors are not only top researchers in their field, but also incredibly friendly and approachable. Danuta Kaminski, the Affiliate Tutor was very helpful and made my transition to the department trouble-free. I especially enjoyed learning about the mechanics of the San Andreas fault, as it's less than an hour from my home in California!
Outside of academic studies, I made many friends through some of the myriad clubs & societies. Living and exploring London was amazing: my walk to school each day passed by Buckingham Palace and St. James's Park. I also got the chance to visit many different parts of Europe and the UK (when finished revising, of course!). Overall, studying abroad not only provided me with valuable academic knowledge, but also gave me a new perspective on my role as a global citizen.
The English Language Requirement: All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programmes for which they have applied. This requirement is specified in order to ensure that the academic progress of students is not hindered by language difficulties and that students are able to integrate socially while studying at UCL and living in the UK.
Affiliate students studying at UCL for one term must select modules worth a total of 60 credits. Full academic year students must select modules worth a total of 120 credits. Most modules are worth 15 credits. At least half of your module choices should be taken in our department. Affiliate students are expected to arrive at UCL two weeks before teaching begins, to attend UCL Orientation Programme (first week) and the Induction week (second week).
Affiliate students coming to our department can choose from wide range of courses. Students joining us for the whole academic year will be assessed by examination in June, as any UCL degree students. For students leaving us in December, we arrange alternative assessment in lieu of examination which often is in a form of an extended essay.
- Assessment Results and Transcripts
- Your marks are released on UCL's online student records system called Portico by early August (or mid February for Affiliates who studied in autumn term only). Students should retain their access to Portico and UCL e-mail for 3 months after their registration with UCL ends.
- You should maintain your UCL password to be able to access your Moodle and Portico and your UCL email. In case of problems with logging in, you need to contact the UCL's ISD Service Desk.
- An e-transcript of your results will be sent to your home university within 4 weeks of your results being approved by the Examination Board. If your home institution has not received your transcript please contact central UCL Registry via askUCL or transcripts@ucl.ac.uk.
- Affiliate Student Mixer - January 2023
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Relevant Links:
- Affiliate Programmes
- Information for Prospective International Students
- UCL Earth Science Affiliate Courses