Funding & benefits
The UCL-ROS consists of tuition fees equivalent to the standard postgraduate UK/home rate plus a maintenance stipend during the research portion of the programme which increases each year with inflation. For the 2025/26 academic year, the stipend rate is £22,780 for full-time study (rates are calculated 'pro rata' for part-time students). For the 2026/27 academic year, the stipend rate is to be confirmed.
The scholarship includes additional research costs of up to £1,200 per year for the stated duration of research portion of the programme plus a single allowance of £1,000 towards conference costs over the duration of the programme
The UCL-ROS also offers a comprehensive personal and professional development support package:
Coaching, mentoring support, and advocacy;
Training and skills development through UCL’s Doctoral Skills Development Programme (including the “Brilliant Club” scholars programme) and the Windsor Fellowship;
Awards are made for the standard length of the research portion of the UCL programme of study. This is normally 3 years for a full-time MPhil/PhD/EngD degree programme (or 5 years for part-time study), subject to sufficient academic progress. Please note the funding does not cover CRS/writing up year(s).
Where students are undertaking an integrated doctoral programme with a standard length of four years, the award will be extended to the 4th year of research.
If awarded, funding begins at the start of the next academic year. For 2026/27 this is 1st October 2026.
“For the 2026/27 academic year we are offering 6 fully funded UCL-Research Opportunity Scholarships”
Eligible programmes & fields
Use the verified study fields above for subject-fit screening and confirm the exact eligible degree on the provider’s official programme page before applying.
About this opportunity
University College London in the United Kingdom offers UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship to MPhil, PhD and Research students. Funding, as stated by University College London: "For the 2026/27 academic year we are offering 6 fully funded UCL-Research Opportunity Scholarships." Eligibility, as stated by University College London: "Available to: Prospective students (this means students who will begin on or after the academic year 2026/27 first permitted MPhil/PhD start date of 1 October 2026)." The closing date is 9 January 2026. Nomination is required.
The opportunity currently maps to study areas including All study areas. Use the programme and eligibility sections below to decide whether the opportunity matches your academic background before opening the official application portal.
Key dates
Eligibility requirements
- To APPLY, you must:
- have submitted a completed admission application to an eligible** full- or part-time degree programme at UCL by the scholarship deadline
- Black or Black British - Caribbean
- Black or Black British - African
- Other Black background - individuals who identify as Black but do not fit into the specific categories of "Black or Black British - Caribbean" or "Black or Black British - African"
- Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi
- Asian or Asian British - PakistaniPlease note these categories are defined by the HIgher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). UCL is required to use these categories to enable reporting and to identify under-representation. The data is reviewed annually.
- To be AWARDED IF SELECTED, you must:
- be in receipt of an offer of admission to a full-time or part-time research degree programme at UCL which will start on or after the academic year 2026/27 first permitted MPhil/PhD start date of 1 October 2026.
- ** PLEASE NOTE Distance learning, non-resident PhD and professional doctorates (DClinPsy, DDent, DEdPsy (Brain Sciences), DOrth and DPsychotherapy) are not eligible for this scholarship. EngD are not considered Professional Doctorates here and are eligible to apply.
“Available to: Prospective students (this means students who will begin on or after the academic year 2026/27 first permitted MPhil/PhD start date of 1 October 2026)”
** PLEASE NOTE Distance learning, non-resident PhD and professional doctorates (DClinPsy, DDent, DEdPsy (Brain Sciences), DOrth and DPsychotherapy) are not eligible for this scholarship.
Selection criteria
- Step 1: Candidates submit a UCL-ROS cover sheet (see below) directly to the academic department they have applied to. Departments will then nominate candidates to the central UCL-ROS Selection Panel for consideration.
- Please note, departmental nominations are based on:
- Academic attainment - as demonstrated by prior academic results.
- Research potential - as demonstrated by a candidate’s research experience to date, their enthusiasm for research, and their research proposal
- Step 2: Nominated candidates, who meet the UCL-ROS eligibility criteria, will be sent a UCL-ROS application form to complete by the Student Funding Office. This form will include questions on socio-economic and financial factors, including household income information, a lay summary of your research proposal, and a personal statement.
- Step 3: The UCL-ROS Selection Panel will review all candidates’ personal statements. The selection panel includes representatives from the UCL Student Funding Office, the UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, and the Windsor Fellowship.
- The UCL-ROS Selection Panel will select awardees on the basis of:
- Department nomination
- Financial need - based on socio-economic background.
- Candidate’s personal statement
- A weighting will also be applied which is based on the under-representation of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic PhD students in the candidate’s faculty. This data is provided by the UCL-EDI team.
Should you apply?
Applicants should be at MPhil or PhD / Doctoral or Research level working in All study areas. The decisive requirement, in University College London's words, is: "Available to: Prospective students (this means students who will begin on or after the academic year 2026/27 first permitted MPhil/PhD start date of 1 October 2026)." Expect to prepare 2 documents (listed below).
Check these against your profile
- Academic level: MPhil or PhD / Doctoral or Research.
- Study area: All study areas.
- Funding package: fully funded.
- Study destination: United Kingdom.
Review carefully if
- ** PLEASE NOTE Distance learning, non-resident PhD and professional doctorates (DClinPsy, DDent, DEdPsy (Brain Sciences), DOrth and DPsychotherapy) are not eligible for this scholarship.
This is a factual checklist of verified programme requirements, not a personalised eligibility decision. The awarding institution makes the final eligibility decision.
Required documents
- Research potential - as demonstrated by a candidate’s research experience to date, their enthusiasm for research, and their research proposal
- Candidate’s personal statement
Application process
- Step 1: You must submit a complete application for admission onto a research degree programme at UCL by the specified deadline.
- Step 3: You must contact your prospective academic department/institute/division/unit and notify them that you would like to be considered for a UCL-ROS by submitting a UCL-ROS coversheet.
- Please contact the Administrator or your supervisor for guidance on where to send your scholarship application materials www.ucl.ac.uk/doctoral-school/key-contacts/faculty-and-department-contacts .Please ensure you also discuss this scholarship with your potential supervisor.
- You must submit both a completed admission application and a completed UCL-ROS coversheet to your academic department no later than Friday, 9th January 2026.
Application checklist
- Compare your profile with the verified eligibility criteria on this page.
- Review the official application page for the complete list of required documents.
- Complete the required nomination step described by the official provider.
- Use the official application route linked on this page rather than a third-party submission form.
- Submit before the verified application timing shown in the Key dates section.
This checklist organises the verified requirements already shown on this page; it does not replace the provider’s official instructions.
Frequently asked questions
What funding comes with UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship?
University College London states: "For the 2026/27 academic year we are offering 6 fully funded UCL-Research Opportunity Scholarships."
Is UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The verified funding record classifies it as fully funded.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In University College London's own words: "Available to: Prospective students (this means students who will begin on or after the academic year 2026/27 first permitted MPhil/PhD start date of 1 October 2026)."
Which degree level does UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship support?
It is for MPhil or PhD / Doctoral or Research level applicants at University College London in United Kingdom.
Is UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship still open?
No. The most recent round has closed (deadline 9 January 2026). This award has run before; check the official page for the next round.
Where do I apply?
Directly with University College London, through the official application page linked from this record.
Which documents does University College London ask for?
The official page lists 2 items: Research potential - as demonstrated by a candidate’s research experience to date, their enthusiasm for research, and their research proposal, Candidate’s personal statement.
How was this information verified?
Every fact on this page was read from University College London's official pages, which ScholarshipFrontier rechecks automatically; the sources and the last check date are listed at the bottom of the page.
Official sources & verification
ScholarshipFrontier checks official scholarship, admissions and programme pages and keeps source evidence separate from the public summary.
Official sources last checked: 19 Oct 2026 · Verified 59 min ago
About University College London
University College London is based in United Kingdom and publishes this opportunity on its own official pages, which ScholarshipFrontier reads directly.