If you are considering pursuing a research degree such as an MPhil, PhD or EngD at University College London (UCL), understanding the funding options is a key step. Research degrees often involve several years of study, so ensuring you have support for both tuition and living costs is crucial.

What you need to know about costs

1. Tuition fees for research degrees at UCL vary by programme, by whether you are a UK/home student or international, and by duration. University College London+1
2. Living costs also vary widely depending on accommodation, lifestyle and length of study. UCL provides guidance on cost of study. University College London
3. Because the duration and funding arrangements differ, prospective research students must plan ahead: determine how many years funding is included, what happens in the “writing-up” year, and whether any top-up or extra costs are required.

Key funding routes at UCL for research students

Here are main opportunities and how to access them:

1. UCL Studentships & Scholarships
2. Many departments at UCL offer fully or partially funded doctoral studentships. These often cover tuition fees and include a stipend for living costs. hep.ucl.ac.uk+1
3. For example, UCL’s Graduate Research Scholarships (GRS) and Overseas Research Scholarships (ORS) offer funding across departments and may cover UK or international fee-status students. grad.ucl.ac.uk+1
4. Some departments require you to secure a supervisor or join a centre for doctoral training (CDT) as part of applying. hep.ucl.ac.uk+1
5. Research Council Studentships (UKRI)
6. For UK and sometimes international students, funding is available via research councils such as Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Medical Research Council (MRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), etc. The department must apply and nominate candidates. University College London+1
7. Loans and Other Financial Support
8. Depending on your fee status and home country, there may be doctoral loans or other financial support options. For example, UK students may apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan through Student Finance. University College London+1
9. UCL also has hardship and emergency funds for research students who encounter unexpected financial difficulties during their programme. studentsunionucl.org+1
10. Charities, Trusts and External Funding Bodies
11. Many external organisations provide grants, scholarships or fellowships that support research degrees. UCL’s funding guidance lists trusts and databases to explore. University College London

Practical steps to maximising your chance of funding

1. Look early: Research degree funding often has earlier deadlines than taught programmes. Start researching funding opportunities as soon as you decide to apply.
2. Match your profile: Many scholarships are competitive and look for strong academic records, research potential, relevant experience, or alignment with the specific research group or topic.
3. Secure a supervisor: Before applying, reach out to potential supervisors at UCL, discuss your proposed research topic, and ensure there is capacity and funding.
4. Check fee-status: International and home fee statuses affect funding eligibility and the amount of stipend or fees covered.
5. Prepare your documents: Have your transcripts, CV, research proposal, references, and any other required documents ready. Many funding schemes require these alongside or even before the programme application.
6. Explore all funding channels: Don’t rely solely on one scholarship — look at institutional studentships, research council funding, external grants, and emergency support funds.
7. Clarify what is covered: Confirm whether the funding covers tuition only, or both tuition and stipend/living costs, and whether the funding covers the full duration of your study, including any “writing-up” year.
8. Plan for living costs: Especially in London, living costs are significant. Even fully funded students must budget reasonably and may need to supplement with part-time work (where allowed) or savings.

Final Thoughts

Pursuing a research degree at UCL is a major commitment, but with the right funding and preparation it is achievable. By exploring studentships, research council funding, external grants and institutional financial support early, you can build a strong foundation for your research journey. Always verify the funding details for your chosen department and programme and meet all application deadlines to maximise your chances.

References

1. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/funding-students-postgraduate-research-courses University College London
2. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/sites/students/files/2021-22_-_faf_guidance_notes-pgr.pdf University College London
3. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biosciences/sites/biosciences/files/ucl_bioscience_masters_funding_info_2024.pdf University College London