UCL Doctoral School Events & Competitions

The Doctoral School runs various events and competitions throughout the year. Details of each can be found below.

Doctoral School Welcome Event

Doctoral School Welcome
The Doctoral School organises a short programme for all new doctoral students at which we give information about the support and facilities offered to research students, and provide a flavour of the exciting research being carried out across many disciplines at UCL. It takes place twice a year, at the beginning of October and usually the end of January. Read more →

Introduction to Skills Development and the Research Student Log

Skills and Research Log Induction
The Induction Sessions for Research Students and Supervisors take place at the begining of the academic year and again in January. Read more →

“Research Images As Art / Art Images As Research” Competition

Research Images as Art Competition 2022/23
The Doctoral School runs a Research Images as Art / Art Images as Research competition/exhibition that is open to all UCL graduate students and academic staff, either science or arts based. Entrants are invited to submit images associated with their research which have aesthetic appeal. Read more →

Doctoral School Research Poster Competition

Doctoral School Research Poster Competition
The Doctoral School runs a research poster competition which offers graduate research students an opportunity to advertise and discuss the innovative research they are undertaking, thereby providing them with an opportunity to raise the profile of their research. Read more →

Doctoral School Data Visualization Competition

Doctoral School Data Visualization Competition
This is a new competition to showcase sets of data in a creative way so that viewers can easily understand and absorb the data which are visually pleasing to the eye. This is in response to the increasing use of data visualisation techniques to illuminate research findings. Read more →

Doctoral School Blog & Vlog Competition

Doctoral School Blog and Vlog Competition
This is a new competition to recognise new forms of media that researchers have started using, especially to express their research ideas to the general public. Blog submissions can be research based or about something more personal or funny like a research ‘failure’. Read more →

UCL Three Minute Thesis

UCL Three Minute Thesis
The Three Minute Thesis competition was originally created by the University of Queensland. The UCL 3MT is organised by the Doctoral School in collaboration with UCLU’s Postgraduate Associaction. Faculty heats take place from February to May. Winners from Faculty heats take part in the UCL final which this year will take place on 7th June. Read more →

Cheltenham Science Festival

Cheltenham Sciences Festival 2023
Each year, the Doctoral School offers ten £600 bursaries for doctoral students to attend the Cheltenham Science Festival in June. The festival provides an excellent opportunity for UCL doctoral students to broaden their horizons, meet leading scientists and other speakers, take part in debate and discussion about public engagement in science. Read more →