Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP)

UROP - Notes for ALL Students

The UROP scheme is set up to allow any Cambridge University undergraduate NOT in their final year of study an opportunity to gain an insight into the research being undertaken by the world-class academics that teach you. It also provides an opportunity for you to develop some of the technical and transferable skills required in research activities, and many other graduate careers. UROPs have been very popular with students in the past and competition for places is high.

A list of the UROPs to be offered for the current year is available (click here for those posted so far), Project details are continually added, but an Insertion Date is included in the description so that you can see how long the placement has been on offer.

You can choose to apply for any of the UROPs on offer – including those outside your own Department.

A link is provided by each title to enable you to email the supervisor of any project that interests you. You should arrange to meet and discuss what is involved and decide whether you want to apply. Some supervisors will set a deadline for applications, and then consider who they want select; others may offer their projects on a first-come-first-served basis. (Note: Expressing interest at this point does not tie you to taking on a project, nor does it tie the supervisor to offering it to you!)

For some UROPs, you will undertake a specific project, with a beginning, a middle and an end within the 10 weeks. For others you will participate in a current research programme, joining an existing team. Start and completion times are often negotiable - please ask the supervisor of the particular project you are interested in.

Each UROP involves a placement over the Long Vacation (usually 10 weeks) with a bursary of £2300. Students on the scheme are deemed to be receiving training hence there are no deductions for Income tax or National Insurance from the bursary.

Some UROP placements are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council ( EPSRC ) and due to the criteria imposed by them, the positions are restricted to European Union ( E U ) nationals only. Some NON E U nationals might be eligible by virtue of being "ordinarily resident" in the UK other than for purposes of study (see Eligibility criteria on the EPSRC website). It will be indicated clearly on each individual UROP project description if these EPSRC imposed restrictions apply.

Once you have reached an agreement with a supervisor, they will contact Mr Igor Wowk (or the relevant administrator for UROPs in other Departments) to notify them that you will be doing a particular UROP and the project will be flagged on-line as 'Taken'.

Once a student has been selected, arrangements for project administration will differ for each Department.
For ENGINEERING see the notes below.
For all other Departments ask the designated contact given on the Main Page Click here for the list of contacts

Project organisation and Administration For STUDENTS SELECTED FOR ENGINEERING PROJECTS

Administrative responsibility for UROP in CUED lies with ( Mr Igor Wowk )Click to e-mail. The CUED academic co-ordinator is Dr Hugh Shercliff (Dr Hugh Shercliff) Click to e-mail. Staff are welcome to raise any queries with either of them.

C U E D Industrial Experience Requirement Qualification: Some UROPs may take place in conjunction with local research companies. In these cases it will be probable that you can use your work to count towards any C U E D Industrial Experience requirement for your course. It is also possible that the technologically related projects both in CUED and other Departments will also qualify, but others where the content is non technical may not. Engineering students can contact Mr Wowk to discuss this. Students from other subjects should ask their Department Administration Office for advice.

For Engineers currently completing their 3rd year, some UROPs may have related 4th year projects on offer. Where possible, this is indicated on this website, but feel free to ask your UROP supervisor.

You will then need to complete some forms with your supervisor and return these to Mr Wowk before the start of the project. These will include:

The two-page technical report must be submitted for signature to your supervisor at end of the scheme.

CUED UROP bursaries will be paid directly into your bank account. You need to fill in a form ( UPS3 ) to activate the system.

You will negiotiate your schedule of work with your supervisor at the start of the project.

Students should be available to work on their project circa 7/8 hours per day 5 days a week.

Students are expected to conform to an acceptable technical standard. Supervisors retain the right to terminate appointments, if performance remains below the required standard, following due warning. Students should also note that their UROP will be terminated immediately if they cease to be registered for the following academic year (e.g. by failing in the Tripos examinations).

As a UROP student, you will also undertake a few simple commitments:

If you have any queries about the operation of the UROP scheme within CUED please contact Mr Igor Wowk Click to e-mail


Thank you