UCL Research Excellence Scholarship (UCL-RES)

UCL Research Excellence Scholarship (UCL-RES)

You get your full tuition fees paid (at the UK or overseas rate), plus a living allowance of about EUR 26,600 per year (£22,780 for full-time study in 2025/26; the 2026/27 rate is still to be confirmed and rises each year with inflation). You can also claim up to about EUR 1,400 (£1,200) per year for research costs. The money runs for the standard length of your research: normally 3 years for a full-time MPhil/PhD or EngD, or 5 years part-time, and up to 4 years for an integrated doctoral programme. It does not cover any writing-up year. University College London (UCL) awards 40 of these scholarships for 2026/27 to doctoral researchers from anywhere in the world.

Who can apply

• Level: You are starting a full-time or part-time MPhil/PhD or EngD at UCL.
• New student only: You must begin on or after 1 October 2026. If you already started at UCL before that date, you cannot apply.
• Grades: You hold, or expect to achieve, at least an upper second-class (2:1) UK bachelor's degree or the equivalent.
• Nationality: Any country can apply. Both UK and overseas fee status qualify.
• Programme type: EngD programmes qualify. Distance learning, non-resident PhDs and professional doctorates (such as DClinPsy, DDent, DEdPsy, DOrth, DPsychotherapy) do not.
• Financial need: Not considered. Selection is on academic merit, research potential and how well your project fits available supervisors.

How to apply

First submit a complete admission application for an eligible UCL research programme by 9 January 2026. Then send your scholarship documents to your academic department by the same deadline. Some departments set earlier dates. Faculties shortlist candidates and a central UCL panel makes the final decision. You hear the result by mid-March 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a competitive award. The 40 scholarships are split across four broad research themes, and the panel picks from around 120 faculty nominations. So you first have to rank highly within your department. Grades alone will not decide it: your research proposal must match a supervisor and a real disciplinary need. A strong, well-matched project backed by a supportive UCL supervisor is what puts you in contention.