Fees and funding
The Department hosts a range of studentships and scholarships awarded competitively within and beyond UCL. These include the UCL Graduate Research Scholarships and Overseas Research Scholarships and research training studentships awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The Department is a key partner in the NERC London Doctoral Training Partnership and hosts the UCL ESRC Doctoral Training Centre Pathway in Human Geography. Information is posted on this page when these schemes are opened each year.
Studentships and scholarships
PhD Opportunity in Physical Geography
Impact of the remote atmosphere on local air pollution, climate, and harmful UV radiation
We are pleased to announce a 3-year PhD studentship commencing in September 2022 in the UCL Air Quality and Atmospheric Composition research group in the Department of Geography at University College London.
ESRC studentships in Human Geography at UCL Geography are offered via the UBEL DTP
(Pathway Lead: Professor Tariq Jazeel)
Applications process open for 2022 entry
ESRC studentships (+3 [inc. +3.5 and +3.25], and 1+3) in the Department of Geography at UCL can be applied for via the Human Geography Pathway in the UBEL Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).
We are particularly interested in applications that complement the Department’s existing research strengths. Supervision under the Human Geography pathway is also available with colleagues at Birkbeck Department of Geography. We will also consider applications for co-supervision with other UBEL DTP pathways.
Application procedure
Potential applicants through the Human Geography Pathway at the UBEL DTP should in the first instance contact potential supervisors to discuss project ideas, copying the Pathway Leader (t.jazeel@ucl.ac.uk) into your initial correspondence.
Following this, if your proposed supervisor agrees, you should submit a Preliminary Application form to the UBEL DTP by the deadlines of: Monday 10th January, 2022, 2359hrs.
Instructions on preparing and submitting preliminary applications to the DTP appear on the UBEL website here, which also contains eligibility requirements. Please read and follow these carefully.
If your preliminary application is successful, you will be invited to make a full application to the UBEL DTP, the deadline for which is Monday 28th February, 2022, 2359hrs.
UCL Overseas Research Scholarships
The UCL Overseas Research Scholarships (UCL-ORS) aim to attract high-quality international students to UCL to undertake research.
Value: The difference between UK and Overseas tuition rate fees
Available to: Prospective and current students
Selection criteria: Academic merit
Eligible fee status: Overseas
Eligible programmes: Full- or part-time research degrees
Additional eligibility criteria: At least 2:1 at undergraduate (or equivalent)
Deadline: 14 January 2022
You must apply for admission and submit the additional information to your department to Rebekah Mann at geog.office@ucl.ac.uk no later than Friday, 14 January 2022
Please see here for eligibility, value of the award and how to apply
UCL Graduate Research Scholarships (GRS)
UCL Graduate Research Scholarships (GRS) aim to attract high-quality students to undertake research at UCL.
UCL's Graduate Research Scholarships (GRS) are available annually to prospective and current UCL research students from any country.
Value: UK rate fees and maintenance stipend
Available to: Prospective and current students
Selection criteria: Academic merit
Eligible fee status: UK, Overseas
Eligible programmes: Full- or part-time research degrees
Additional eligibility criteria: At least 2:1 at undergraduate (or equivalent)
Deadline: 14 January 2022
You must apply for admission and submit the additional information to your department to Rebekah Mann at geog.office@ucl.ac.uk no later than Friday, 14 January 2022
Please see here for eligibility, value of the award and how to apply
AHRC Funding
AHRC Studentships are offered via the London Arts and Humanities Partnership. Details on LAHP studentship applications can be found here: https://www.lahp.ac.uk/apply-for-a-studentship/
Potential applicants through the LAHP should in the first instance contact potential supervisors to discuss project ideas.
London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Applications to the London NERC DTP programme are not for a specific project, but for a research theme. The projects listed on the site are to provide you with details on what is potentially on offer if you were to be accepted to the DTP. It is expected that students will meet with potential supervisors to discuss and develop their project ideas during the first six months of their PhD training.
All students will undertake an intensive programme of interdisciplinary core research and professional development training the autumn and spring terms. At the end of term 1, all students will submit a choice of two equally attractive project titles of which they will be allocated one. At the end of term 2, students will present their PhD project plans to the rest of their cohort before joining their primary research institution to begin their project.
Application Process
Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria before you make an application.
November (at the end of the month) – Applications open.
January – Application deadline.
February – Interviews will be held remotely. This is projected to be for the 15th, 16th and 17th of February.
March – Offers confirmed.
All applicants will be required to submit a CV, cover letter and academic documents e.g. transcript/s and certificate/s.
Please see further resources for applicants here.
By applying for the London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) you need to follow the application process described on their webpages which is different to the main UCL application process.
UCL Geography is affiliated to the London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) but is managed separately so please do contact them if you have any questions.
China Scholarship Council-UCL Joint Research Scholarship
Funding offered by UCL and the China Scholarships Council (CSC) aims to expand the educational, cultural and technological co-operation between the UK and China.
The scholarships are co-funded by the CSC and UCL. The CSC provides economy air travel to and from the UK, a living allowance and visa application fees.
UCL will provide full tuition fees for the standard duration of a full-time MPhil/PhD programme up to 48 months, including a writing-up period
Please see here for eligibility, value of the award and how to apply
UCL Research Opportunity Scholarships (ROS)
Applications for the UCL Research Opportunity Scholarships are now open.
Centrally funded scholarships for 2022/23 will be selected from and awarded to the 4 following faculties (1 scholarship per faculty with one additional scholarship to go to the highest ranked recipient)
- Arts & Humanities
- Brain Sciences
- Social & Historical Sciences (of which Geography is part)
- School of Slavonic & East European Studies
Each year Student Funding Office (SFO) and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team confirm scholarship criteria, target groups and participating faculties (using data from EDI) and contact participating faculties.
Details and Eligibility criteria can be found here.
Applicants must put themselves forward to their departments no later than 12pm on 14 January 2022, by submitting a ‘ROS cover sheet’. Applicants must also have made an application for admission through UCL Select by 14 January 2022. In addition, they will have completed a financial need assessment application which will go directly to the Student Funding Office. Both the ‘ROS cover sheet’ and a link to the online ROS application can be found on the ROS webpage above.
Visiting research students
Students currently enrolled on a PhD overseas can apply to study at UCL as a visiting research student to spend 3 to 12 months at UCL undertaking research which is complementary to the Doctoral/PhD project at your 'home' university. If you are interested in spending time in the Department as a visiting research student, you should contact members of staff who might be able to supervise your research while you are here. Further information on the application process can be found on UCL’s Visiting Research Students page.