Imperial College London - RW Barnes Educational Fund

What the R W Barnes Scholarship gives you

During your Bachelor’s degree at Imperial College London, you will receive a scholarship (a grant paid directly to you) of approximately 16,700 EUR per year (14,500 GBP) for up to 4 academic years. This is not a reduction in tuition fees; the money is paid directly to you. A former Imperial College graduate bequeathed this donation to the College. One scholarship is awarded each year. The fund comprises two separate scholarships: one for the Department of Mathematics and one for the Department of Physics.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are a new student starting a full-time Bachelor’s degree programme. If you are already enrolled, you cannot apply.
• Subject: You are studying Mathematics or Physics at Imperial College. The combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme in ‘Mathematics and Computer Science’ (BSc/MSci) does not count towards a degree in Mathematics.
• Fee status: You must have ‘Home’ fee status, i.e. you are considered a UK-based student and not an international fee-payer.
• Maths version: You identify as a person of Black heritage.
• Physics version: You meet the eligibility criteria for Imperial’s context-based admissions process, which supports applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds or on low incomes.
• Grades: The award is based on academic achievement, so you’ll need excellent results.

How to apply

First, apply via UCAS for an eligible degree programme in Mathematics or Physics at Imperial College. For the Mathematics Scholarship, you must then complete a separate online scholarship application form and explain why you wish to study Mathematics at Imperial College (max. 1,000 characters); the application deadline is around the end of February. There is no additional form for the Physics Scholarship, but you must have received an offer of admission from Imperial College by the deadline at the end of March. Successful applicants will be notified by email by 31 July.

How realistic are your chances?

Each scheme awards just one scholarship per year and has very strict eligibility criteria. You must have ‘Home-Fee’ status, be studying a specific subject at one of the world’s most selective universities, and meet either the criterion of African-American heritage or that of a disadvantaged background. This keeps the pool of applicants small. However, you must first secure a place at Imperial, which is difficult in itself. If you clearly meet the criteria, receive an offer from Imperial and apply by the deadline, your chances of securing this particular scholarship are quite good.