Open to all students, the King’s Experience Awards recognise the learning that students have undertaken outside the formal curriculum. Their aim is to encourage students to explore different ways of learning, to help them form connections between classroom and experiential learning and to expand their social, personal and academic skills. Offered annually, the awards reflect King’s belief that extra-curricular activities give breadth and depth to learning, add practical value to a degree and support King’s students to become active and involved citizens.
While the practical benefits to students include the acquisition of new skills and enhanced employability, students also have the opportunity to develop personally as well as to gain a greater understanding of their local communities.
The King’s Experience London Award aims specifically to encourage and reward students’ involvement in the communities in which they are living and studying. By volunteering with community organisations, or working with local schools to encourage wider participation in higher education, King’s students can bring their commitment, enthusiasm and skills to London in ways that benefit both themselves and the community.
To gain a King’s Experience London Award, students must complete at least 25 hours of experiential learning and submit a final assessment demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of one or more London communities. Winners must show how their activity has contributed to the community as well as how it has enhanced their formal academic learning.
Recent London Award winners include postgraduate student Jola Atoki, who took up an internship at the Hackney Community Law Centre, a charity providing free and independent legal advice to people living and working locally.