King’s College London – Sustainable Global Experience Brussels

This programme is fully funded for eligible students, although students will be invoiced for a refundable £50 deposit.

Deposits are refunded at the successful end of the programme, minus any cleaning fees or additional charges. Please note that daily spending money for food is not covered by our programme fees.

‘Additional financial support is available via KCL’s Broadening Horizons Award. Click here to check the eligibility criteria and to submit your application for additional financial support from KCL.

Please note that additional funding cannot be guaranteed to each student, and award amounts are subject to change year on year and depend on which and how many primary and secondary criteria students meet, level of financial need, destination, length of stay, and the overall number of applications received by the Global Mobility Office in each round.’

For eligibility or funding-related questions, please contact studyabroad@kcl.ac.uk

This programme is specifically for UK/Home fee-paying status undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. If you are an undergraduate, paying Home fees, and meet one or more of the following criteria, you can apply:

• You have a disability
• None of your parents/carers attended university
• You are care experienced / a care leaver
• You were / are a young carer
• You are in receipt of the King’s Living Bursary  
• You are in receipt of a Sanctuary Scholarship/Jesus the Light Sanctuary Scholarship
• You are in receipt of a means-tested NHS bursary (students whose parental/spouse/student contribution is higher than £2,226 are ineligible to apply)
• You are a Black, Asian, or Diverse Heritage student 
• You are from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller heritage
• You are an estranged student
• You are a mature learner undertaking your first degree (aged 21+ on the first day of your degree)
• You have taken part in Realising Opportunities, K+, IntoUniversity, or a Sutton Trust Summer School

Inclusions

• Carbon Literacy Training and Certification fees
• Organised return group travel
• Shared hostel accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Events & activities
• Travel expenses to programme events & activities
• Two meals

*Full details can be found in our Programme Agreement upon successful application.

Exclusions

• Visa fees
• Expenses on non-programme inclusive activities & transportation
• Daily expenses for food
• Additional purchases

Brussels is a capital city with corresponding prices, so please factor that into your budgeting when planning your activities. Here is a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for things:

• A meal with a non-alcoholic drink: €16
• A sandwich: €5
• A coffee: €2.80
• A beer: €5
• A cocktail: €8
• An attraction ticket: €10-20
• A metro journey: €2.10

Carbon Literacy is “an awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis.” More than 1,700 organisations across the UK and internationally have empowered their teams with Carbon Literacy Training including the NHS, the BBC, and Manchester City Council.

On this programme, you’ll complete 12 hours of Carbon Literacy Training and submit a pledge to gain certification from the Carbon Literacy Project. This is widely recognised as a personal and professional commitment to tackling climate change.

The field trip puts your carbon literacy training into practice, as you’ll explore the city of Brussels through a carbon-conscious lens. We’ll travel and live sustainably, with minimal impact on the environment and meet with local people and businesses that are adopting sustainable practices. 

Any carbon generated will be offset 150% through Gold Standard offsetting projects. Throughout the week, you’ll work on an Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) group project, exploring the sustainability of local businesses and presenting your findings to the group.

Pagoda will host a virtual pre-departure event where participants will have the chance to have their questions answered. A recording of the event will be provided to those unable to attend.

According to the International Energy Alliance’s (IEA) 2020 Tracking Transport Report, ships, planes and road vehicles make up almost three-quarters of global transport emissions.

Urban and high-speed trains are one of the most sustainable, long-distance transport methods. 

Eurostar’s high-speed trains are the most carbon-efficient option when travelling between London and neighbouring European cities. On average, travelling on the Eurostar emits 10 times less carbon per passenger compared to a short-haul flight to the same destination.

Reflecting the programme’s core ethos of low-carbon living, the group will stay in high-quality hostels. This supports and demonstrates sustainable and environmental practices. The hostel will be situated in, or close to, the city centre with excellent public transport links.

Organised guided tours and visits to local attractions will welcome you to your city. All entrance fees are covered as part of the programme and the group will be fully supported and supervised throughout the activity by a friendly member of the Pagoda staff.

Participants will have their evenings free throughout the programme to explore the city and bond with their fellow teammates. A Digital Welcome Pack of the city’s (arguably) best sustainable attractions, shops and restaurants will also be provided.

The Pagoda Portal is a digital hub for our student community. You can use it to network with other interns, locate key information and register for online skills courses. 

Our online skills courses focus on Employability, Digital Competency and Intercultural Fluency. They’ll provide you with the skills and agility needed for a global and ever-changing workplace