UCL Department of Economics - CSC Partially-Funded Visiting Research Scholarships

What you get

UCL will cover your full tuition fees for one year as a visiting PhD student, so that you can carry out research at University College London without having to pay for your place yourself. In addition, the China Scholarship Council (CSC), a Chinese government agency that funds study abroad programmes, will cover your return economy-class flights to the UK, your visa fees and a monthly living allowance currently amounting to approximately 1,550 EUR (GBP 1,350) per month. The scholarship is valid for one year. It is a joint programme run by UCL and the CSC. Only one scholarship is available for the academic year 2026/27.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a PhD student and would like to spend a year conducting research at UCL as a visiting student.
• Nationality: You are a Chinese national at the time of application and are permanently resident in the People’s Republic of China.
• UCL offer: You have already received an unconditional offer of admission as a visiting PhD student at UCL, i.e. an offer with no further conditions attached.
• CSC co-funding: You are responsible for covering your living and travel expenses through the CSC, regardless of the UCL scholarship.
• English: You meet UCL’s academic entry requirements, including a very good command of English.
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines. Applicants from UCL’s and the CSC’s priority research areas will be given preference, but other applications will also be considered.
• Return rule: After your one-year stay, you must return to China.

How to apply

First, apply for admission to UCL and obtain unconditional admission as a visiting PhD student. Your department at UCL will then submit an application for funding of your tuition fees by 4 on 30 January 2026. If UCL grants provisional approval – which will be announced by the beginning of March – you should apply for the living allowance and travel expenses via the CSC’s ‘Collaborative Channel’, using the relevant approval letter.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding opportunity is very narrowly defined. Only one place is available for 2026/27; you must be a Chinese national, hold an unconditional offer of admission as a visiting student from UCL, and arrange co-funding from the CSC yourself. This involves a great deal of organisation, so the pool of eligible applicants is small, but each stage is demanding. If you clearly fit within a priority research area at UCL or the CSC and begin the multi-stage process early on, your prospects are good.