Highlights from UCL's Inaugural India Summer School

The inaugural UCL India Summer School – exclusively for Grade 11 pre-university students – took place 10-14 June 2024 at the campus of The British School New Delhi. UCL ran its summer school on a not-for-profit basis, meaning we prioritised small group teaching and individual contact time with our students. We are very grateful to our local partner, The British School New Delhi, for sharing this values-driven approach.

Selection Process and Academic Excellence

A very large number of applications were received from more than 40 different high-performing schools across all corners of India. Sixty students were ultimately selected for the highly competitive academic programme, which required an average Grade 10 board exam score of over 90% (or the IB/GCSE equivalent).

Distinguished Faculty and Commitment to Education

Seven of UCL's London-based professors flew out to Delhi to deliver the teaching. They were joined by UCL's Vice Provost for Research and Innovation and Vice President for External Engagement, demonstrating UCL's high level of commitment and interest in India as an education partner.

Immersive Learning Environment

The summer school seminars were capped at just 10 students, taught by senior professors and world-leading researchers, creating ample opportunity to demonstrate our research-led teaching model. This was a unique opportunity for the students as well as an immersive experience for UCL faculty.

Pathways for Global Problem-Solving

Our 2024 pathways were:

• Climate Change and Cities of the Future
• Medical Sciences and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Game Theory for Management, Business, and Law
• Public Policy for Science, Engineering and Technology
• Psychology and the Human Brain
• Creative and Cultural Industries

Our six pathways were all interdisciplinary and shaped by a problem-solving approach to learning. For example, students on the medical sciences pathway learned about the technical application of AI in advancing treatment but were also required to engage with vital ethical considerations about the risks and rewards of AI, and the responsibilities of doctors and medical practitioners in this rapidly evolving space. Students working on the problem of climate change recognised that disciplines as diverse as engineering, computer science, economics, psychology, and political science would all be required in order to understand the needs and priorities of different stakeholders.

Holistic Pedagogical Approach

This approach to pedagogy means that - whilst retaining a focus on core foundational knowledge – students do not simply learn via standardised, single- discipline channels but engage in multi-disciplinary inquiry to meet a specific goal. UCL believes that this is the best approach to equipping our young people with the flexibility and ingenuity to meet the challenges of the future.

Insights into Student Life

Students also enjoyed an interactive lecture series on 'Disagreeing Well in Higher Education', in which they were introduced to arrange of conceptual debates and practical questions around not simply what we learn, but how we learn. They also benefited from workshops on the UCAS application process, how to plan for study and student life in the UK, and employment opportunities after graduation, which included a guest lecture from the director of the British Council, New Delhi.

Creative Showcase

Moreover, the week was a tremendously fun and joyful affair. The end-of-session presentations and valedictory 'high tea' saw students produce a remarkable array of creative outputs including short films, plays, sketches, exhibitions, even poetry to showcase the learning that had taken place in the classroom.

UCL Professors' Perspective

UCL professors were unanimous that a week spent in the company of these brilliant young Indian students was a reinvigorating and inspirational experience.

India's Bright Future

We are confident that the future of India is tremendously bright, and we look forward to bringing a similar summer school offering to India in 2025.