Tri-Campus Sustainability Challenge

The Tri-campus Sustainability Challenge application is competitive and is only open to students who meet the following eligibility requirements. Please note that the 2023 programme is a pilot and places are limited. We hope to offer similar programmes in the future.  

To be eligible to apply to the Tri-campus Sustainability Challenge, you must be a registered student at the University of Nottingham and studying for a full undergraduate degree to be awarded by the University of Nottingham in one of the following faculties:

• Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham UK
• Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia
• Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China

The programme is only open to students in one of the following categories:

Second years:

• BSc
• BEng at University of Nottingham Malaysia or University of Nottingham Ningbo China
• MEng at University of Nottingham Malaysia

• MPharm at the University of Nottingham UK or University of Nottingham Malaysia

• MSci and MNutri at the University of Nottingham UK 

Third years:

• MSci and MNutr  at the University of Nottingham UK
• MEng at University of Nottingham Malaysia

Please note that the year refers to the year of academic studies, not including any preliminary year studies (e.g. CELE), for example, a student in their third year of study at UNNC would be considered to be in year 2.

Priority will be given to students who have not previously studied abroad, are not currently studying abroad, or who are not due to study abroad within their degree programme at Nottingham. However, these students are still eligible to apply, and their applications will be considered.

You will be placed in a multi-campus and interdisciplinary team of up to six participants. You and your team will agree upon a specific research problem related to one of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) expressed via the online application form:

• Zero Hunger 
• Clean Water and Sanitation 
• Affordable and Clean Energy
• Sustainable Cities and Communities  
• Climate Action

The two-week programme will take place online and in-person: each day you will connect online with your full team, as well as working in-person on your home campus. Attendance in-person is compulsory.  A specific area on each campus will be set aside for you, where you can interact with your teammates and other teams from your home campus.

During the course of the programme, you will create and develop:

• A team pitch of your sustainability solution which you will deliver to a panel of experts
• A short team video showcasing your learning and experience of the programme
• An individual reflection of your personal learning and development during the programme

In addition to your team research, the programme will include:

• Guest speakers: University of Nottingham alumni and academics working in sustainability
• Sustainability lectures: University of Nottingham academic staff carrying out research into sustainability
• Skills workshops: practical guidance to help you succeed
• A field trip
• Cultural learning events
• Social events including a welcome meal and celebration meal

All teaching and activities will be in English.

 

Tri-campus Sustainability Challenge application process

Application deadline = Monday 27 March 2023 4:59pm UNUK  / 11:59pm UNNC and UNM. 

Step 1

Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Step 2

Make sure that you are available for the full duration of the Tri-Campus Sustainability Challenge: Monday 10 July – Thursday 20 July 2023. If you will be staying in the accommodation which is provided on or close to your home campus, you will be required to move into your accommodation on Sunday 9 July and move out on Friday 21 July. The programme starts officially on Monday 10 July.

The event is full time and requires your attendance online and in-person every day (except Wednesday 19 July for students based at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, as this is a national public holiday).

Step 3

Prepare your personal statement.

As part of the online application, you will be required to rate your interest in the following five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• Zero Hunger 
• Clean Water and Sanitation 
• Affordable and Clean Energy
• Sustainable Cities and Communities  
• Climate Action

You will then be required to provide responses to the following three key questions:

1. What are your reasons for selecting your top three choices of Sustainable Development Goals? Why are these areas of interest to you? (300 words maximum) 
2. Why do you want to take part in the Tri-campus Sustainability Challenge? Please include your academic and personal motivations, and what you hope to achieve from the experience. (300 words maximum)
3. If your application is successful, what would you bring to the team?  (300 words maximum)

Your application will be assessed according to your personal statement, so please consider this thoughtfully.

Step 4

Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) prior to beginning your application.When you are ready, begin the online application which takes about 20 minutes. There is no save option, so it is important you check what information is required, including your answers to the above questions, before starting the online application.

Step 5

Complete and submit the online application form by Monday 27 March 2023 4:59pm UNUK time / 11:59pm UNNC and UNM time. Please note that places are limited and that late applications will not be considered.

No tuition fees will be charged to accepted participants for the Tri-campus Sustainability Challenge 2023.

Participants will be required to have accommodation on or close to their home campus for the duration of the programme, as in-person events are a compulsory component. Accommodation will be provided on, or close to, each of the three campuses for the duration of the programme for those who do not have their own accommodation for this period. Please note that accommodation is limited at the University of Nottingham UK.

If you are eligible for accommodation, you will be required to pay 50% of the cost. For students who find access to accommodation to be a barrier to applying, additional financial support is available on a means-tested basis, where this can be assessed. Full details can be found in our FAQs 

 Participants will be expected to pay for their own food and drink for the duration of the programme, with the exception of the welcome meal at the start of the programme and the celebration meal at the end, which will be provided to all participants. Participants will be expected to pay for their own local transportation, with the exception of the field trip, which is part of the programme.