UCL Expand: Societies & Cultures

Welcome to UCL Expand: Societies & Cultures! We can't wait to get started. 

Jessica Clarke is a PhD student at UCL, studying Ancient History, and is our first ever UCL Expand Societies & Cultures Taster Presenter. 

Jessica has taken ideas and knowledge from her previous degrees and academic encounters, as well as from her current area of research, to pull together an exciting, interesting and valuable programme for the Societies & Cultures participants. 

What skills am I going to develop?

UCL Expand is structured and designed in a way that will allow participants to develop a range of essential and key skills that will not only enhance your application to higher education, but also support you in the transition to university. The skills which you will develop will be invaluable when you enter university. 

Following the Research and Analysis session, you will leave with an understanding of how to investigate a topic, how to distinguish between reputable and un-reputable sources of information, and the ability to examine the implications of their research.

Following the Critical Thinking session, you will leave with an understanding of how to analyse sources to form a judgement, the ability to challenge your own assumptions and take multiple perspectives on an issue, and awareness of the difference between a fact and an opinion.

Following the Academic Writing session, you will leave with an understanding of the formality, objectivity and precision required to write academically. You will also learn how to communicate your project work in an academic capacity, and how to form conclusions.

Following the Presentation and Debate session, you will leave with an understanding of delivering a clear and persuasive argument, creating a clear presentation structure and the ability to listen to and answer questions. This session will directly contribute to the presentation of your project during the in-person Graduation event on March 27th. 

Your Final Project

Jess will be introducing you to the final project at our Welcome Event. 

The final project is your chance to use the academic skills which you're developing throughout the programme, combined with knowledge and inspiration from the subject content, to create something that is unique to your own passions and interests: you'll have the freedom to put your own spin on it according to what you'd most like to explore further.

The final project isn't something to worry about! The project will be fun and it won't take up much time. The project is about developing your skills and creating something that you're proud of and can later mention in your university applications. 

You will be supported in the development of your final project, through a full 1.5 hour session during Project Work Week (on Wednesday 06 March) which you will use to work on your project with the help of your subject strand Student Ambassador. We are also hosting various optional drop-in sessions for those of you who'd like to get a bit more support or ask any questions.

For a reminder of when the sessions are, check the UCL Expand homepage.

Get to know your Taster Presenter!