The Tri-Campus Sustainability Challenge gives science and engineering students the opportunity to work together on a real-world sustainability issue with students from across the University of Nottingham’s three campuses in the UK, China, and Malaysia.
You will be seeking to provide a solution to some of the planet’s biggest challenges, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
You will work together in an international and interdisciplinary team made up of students from across the University of Nottingham’s three campuses. The two-week programme will take place both online and in-person: attendance in person is compulsory. Each day you will connect online with your team, as well as researching and attending events in-person on your home campus. The diverse programme includes hearing from alumni and academic guest speakers; attending skills workshops and careers sessions to support your research; a field trip, social events and cultural learning.
Over the course of the two weeks, you and your team will develop your solution to the research challenge. You will then pitch your team’s solution to a panel of industry and academic experts. First prize is a paid project-based internship working alongside sustainability staff on your home campus. The internship will run over 10 weeks during the Autumn Term 2023, with an estimated 6 hours per week, alongside your studies. In addition, the winning and runner up teams will receive a premium sustainability bundle of Nottingham merch. All participants will also receive a mini sustainability bundle .
This is a unique opportunity to put science and engineering into practice as you develop practical skills – including teamwork, problem solving, intercultural awareness and communication – as well as meeting new international friends and developing your knowledge of sustainability in your home country and internationally.
Applications are now open, application deadline Monday 27 March 2023 4:59pm UNUK / 11:59pm UNNC and UNM.
Key information
9-21 July 2023
Work in interdisciplinary teams across our three international campuses in China, Malaysia and the UK to solve a real-world sustainability problem.
Combined in-person and online programme including guest speakers, skills workshops, a field trip and social events.
Win a paid sustainability internship!
No tuition fees payable
Frequently asked questions
Apply online here by Monday 27 March 2023
Frequently asked questions
Application information
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:
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:
- 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)
- 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)
- 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.
| University of Nottingham UK |
- University Park: 14 March 5-6pm, Pope A15
- Jubilee: 13 March 1-2pm, Dearing B46
- Sutton Bonington: 14 March 1-2pm, Main Building B13
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| University of Nottingham Malaysia |
Room: BlockF1-F1A02+
Description: Tri-campus sustainability challenge
Date(s): Thursday, 16 March
Time: 16:00-17:00
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| University of Nottingham Ningbo China |
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Session 1: Presentation and free discussion, with the aim to advertise the Tri-campus Science Sustainability Challenge
Date and time: 1.00-2.00pm Wednesday 20 March
Venue: IAMET311
Session 2: Drop-in Information Session, with the aim to provide fill-out help during application
Date and time: 12.00-3.00pm Friday 22 March
Venue: PMB309
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Any questions?
Frequently asked questions
Email the Tri-campus Sustainability Team