UCL and the China Scholarships Council (CSC) - CSC-UCL Joint Research Scholarship

What you get

You will receive a full scholarship to study for a PhD at University College London (UCL). It comprises full tuition fees as well as a monthly living allowance of approximately 1,560 EUR (£1,350). The scholarship covers the standard duration of your programme, which is usually 3 years, or 4 years for an integrated PhD programme with a four-year research phase. You will also receive a return economy-class flight to the UK, and your visa application fees will be covered. The funding is provided jointly by UCL and the China Scholarship Council (CSC), a Chinese government agency that helps to fund Chinese students studying abroad. Up to 16 scholarships are awarded each year.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are starting a full-time MPhil/PhD programme at UCL which begins on or after 1 October 2026. If you have already started your studies at UCL before this date, you are not eligible to apply.
• Nationality: At the time of applying, you are a citizen of, or have permanent resident status in, the People’s Republic of China.
• Where you study: You’re studying at UCL in London. Once you’ve finished your degree, you’ll have to return to China.
• Field of study: All fields of study are eligible. Priority is given to mathematics and physics, as well as the fields of education and society (IOE). Up to 10 places are allocated to mathematics and physics, 1 to IOE, and up to 5 to all other disciplines.
• Admission: You have been granted an unconditional offer from UCL and meet its academic and language requirements.
• Grades: Selection is based on academic achievement and the CSC’s priorities. Your financial circumstances are not a factor.

How to apply

First, apply to UCL for a PhD place and for funding to cover your tuition fees. You should then submit a separate application to the CSC to receive co-funding through its ‘Collaborative Channel’. The process for obtaining funding from UCL depends on your field of study. Applicants from the fields of mathematics and physics must apply by 14 January 2026 via the faculty’s ‘Dean’s Prize’ programme. Applicants from other departments must apply by 9 January 2026 via the “UCL Research Excellence Scholarship”. The CSC’s results will be published in June 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very restrictive: you must be a Chinese national and have been unconditionally admitted to a PhD programme at UCL, and there are only up to 16 places available each year. Whilst this means the pool of eligible applicants remains small, competition amongst highly qualified PhD candidates for a place at a top-tier university is nevertheless fierce. If you clearly meet the criteria – particularly in the fields of mathematics and physics, where most places are allocated – meet the deadlines and secure an offer from UCL, your prospects are good.