COLFUTURO Scholarships

What COLFUTURO gives you for studying at UCL

You will receive a combined loan and scholarship of up to about 46,000 EUR (50,000 USD) for up to 2 years to study for a Master’s or PhD degree at University College London in the UK. Part of the total amount is a scholarship, and the other part is a loan, which you will repay in monthly instalments after your return to Colombia. The funds can cover tuition fees, flights, accommodation, health insurance, living costs and books. In order to retain the scholarship portion, you must return to Colombia after completing your studies and live there for 3 years. In addition, you will receive a reduction in tuition fees from UCL itself. COLFUTURO is a Colombian non-profit foundation which runs this programme in partnership with UCL.

The UCL fee reduction is available at three levels. Most scholarship holders receive 25% off tuition. One Master’s student per year who is enrolled on an eligible degree programme at the ‘Institute of the Americas’ (Latin American Studies, US Studies or International Development Studies) receives 40% off. Two Master’s students per year who are enrolled on a one-year, non-clinical programme receive 100% of tuition covered via the ‘Semillero de Talentos’ scheme.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are Colombian. This is the only permitted nationality.
• Degree so far: You already have a bachelor’s degree.
• Where you study: You are applying for a Master’s or PhD programme at University College London.
• Admission: You have received confirmation from UCL that you have been admitted to your chosen degree programme.
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines. The 100% ‘Semillero’ programme comprises exclusively one-year, non-clinical Master’s programmes.
• Grades: You have an outstanding academic record. Your grade point average, your ranking in your Bachelor’s degree programme and your personal statement will all be assessed.
• Return commitment: You undertake to return to Colombia upon completion of your studies, to live there for 3 years, and to repay the loan within 5 years.

How to apply

You apply online via the COLFUTURO portal and, at the same time, apply directly to UCL for your degree programme. For the 2027 intake, the application period begins on 4 January and ends on 4 March. The results will be announced on 18 May. If you are selected by COLFUTURO and have also been offered a place at UCL, the fee discount will be applied automatically.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is highly selective: applicants must be Colombian nationals, have been admitted to UCL and have very good grades; consequently, the pool of eligible candidates is small compared to open scholarships. The 25% discount is available to many COLFUTURO scholarship holders, but the 40% and 100% programmes are each awarded to only one or two students per year, making them far more competitive. If you clearly meet the criteria, have a solid grade point average and a compelling personal statement, and apply within the application period, your prospects for the standard programme are good.