King’s is a member of the Circle U. European University Alliance, a network of nine universities who share a commitment to addressing global challenges through innovative education, research and collaboration.
With nearly 500,000 students and over 65,000 staff across its member institutions, Circle U. offers a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing and joint initiatives, both in education and research, supporting King’s mission to provide our students and staff with international opportunities.
The alliance aims to develop a variety of education formats to offer students opportunities to engage with excellence in teaching across Europe, provide staff with opportunities to exchange best practice and to engage in collaborative research.
How Circle U. can benefit you
As a King's student you can:
- Participate in modules offered by partner universities, masterclasses, webinars, international summer schools, research projects and mobility programmes
- Engage in multilingual, multicultural learning environments
- Collaborate with students and academics from across Europe on real-world challenges
As a King's staff member you can:
- Take part in collaborative research initiatives and joint funding opportunities
- Co-develop innovative teaching programmes, contribute to masterclasses and webinars on topical subjects and joint degrees
- Exchange best practices with peers across Europe and contribute to building an inclusive and forward-thinking European education ecosystem
How to get involved
With our Circle U. partner universities, we have created thematic platforms that facilitate the development of collaborative joint activities in education and research.
At the heart of this infrastructure is our Academic Chairs Programme, a network of appointed academics designed to build strong, enduring connections across institutions. Academic Chairs play a key role in sharing knowledge, sparking dialogue, and co-creating impactful projects.
From innovation labs to knowledge hubs, Circle U. provides a range of opportunities for academics, professional service staff and students to work with peers and universities across Europe.
Circle U. Platforms
The Circle U. Open Campus serves as Circle U.’s "virtual university" hub, providing a gateway for students seeking educational opportunities within the alliance. It brings together all learning experiences available to students and staff, supports the design of engaging learning content, and accelerates the adoption of innovative teaching methods.
The Circle U. Knowledge Hubs for Artificial Intelligence, Climate, Democracy and Global Health are collaborative spaces where academics, PS staff, students, and global and associated partners, work together to drive significant societal impact.
By fostering an inter- and transdisciplinary approach, the Hubs extend the capabilities of individual universities, offering a dynamic environment for innovation and collaboration across nine institutions.
CU.til is dedicated to advancing the quality of teaching and learning by fostering collaboration between students and staff. Through research, pedagogy, curricular innovation, professional development, and internationalisation, it drives continuous improvement in educational excellence.
Circle U. universities promote multilingual and intercultural skills through diverse learning opportunities, enhancing knowledge and understanding among students and staff. Circle U. MIL develops projects, courses, and research initiatives to support language learning and foster cultural exchange through mobility and internationalisation.
The InCU.bator creates collaborative learning experiences by engaging associate partners alongside public, private, and civic actors. It offers a range of challenge-based and co-creative formats, including hackathons, interactive games, and other dynamic activities. Designed to operate within authentic, work-life relevant settings, the InCU.bator places students at the heart of the social innovation process, empowering them to drive meaningful change.
CU.ecr is a support service that provides early-career researchers with opportunities for networking, exchange, competence-building, mobility and for developing and maturing their research interests in close collaboration with colleagues from Circle U. The activities will be characterised by co-creative modes and the needs defined by participants.
Funding
Circle U. Seed Funding Scheme
Open to students, academics and staff, the Circle U. Seed-funding Scheme supports collaborative projects in all fields and at all levels. The annual call provides an opportunity to start bottom-up initiatives and make the most of the alliance.
The application period runs from April to October each year. To find out about the next round of funding and how to apply, please refer to the Circle U. Seed Funding scheme page: circle-u.eu/projects-and-calls/seed-funding
Internal funding
Funding from King’s is available for staff to support collaborations in education and research, including travel and activities with Circle U partners. Get in touch with King’s Circle U. team to discuss further details: circle-u@kcl.ac.uk
Please note: King’s students and staff are no longer eligible for Erasmus+ funding. As a result, participation in Circle U. activities overseas may need to be self-funded. Typical costs to be covered include travel, accommodation, visa costs (if applicable) and subsistence for the duration of the activity. There are usually no registration fees for partners.
You can also refer to the Study Abroad funding page for competitive funding opportunities at King’s. Terms and conditions apply to each of the opportunities and eligibility for funding needs to be confirmed by the Study Abroad team. Contact: studyabroad@kcl.ac.uk