The Department of Science and Technology Studies, UCL is an interdisciplinary centre for the integrated study of science's history, philosophy, sociology, communication and policy, located in the heart of London. Founded in 1921. Award winning for teaching and research, plus for our public engagement programme. Rated as outstanding by students at every level.

At UCL, the academic mission is paramount. Our ambition is to achieve the highest standards in our teaching and research.

Join us for BSc, MSc, and PhD study.

Staff books include:

Morris - Research Volunteers Workshop
A A A
Main Is But a Worm (detail - monkeys)

Funding Ideas

Our MSc Admissions team can advise you on these and other sources of funding. The best advice is to start early. This includes completing your application. It also involves paying close attention to deadlines. Competition can be extremely tough.

1. Funding from Department

STS Aristotle scholarships

Value: £5000 each, normally up to four available

Eligibility: Only applicants accepted for entry onto our post-graduate taught programme are eligible. This includes those accepted onto the degree, diploma, and certificate programmes.

Details: The Department offers up to four scholarships for our postgraduate taught programmes. These scholarships will pay either (1) £5000 towards payment of UCL fees for degree students, or (2) 80% of the UK/EU fees charged for certificate or diploma students. Payment is made directly to UCL. All those offered a place are eligible, including those with either UK/EU or overseas status. The scholarship does not include a stipend or support for accommodation.

The primary criteria for the panel's decision will be: evidence of outstanding academic potential, evidence of likely difference-making for the programme, and potential for contributing to the intellectual and cultural life of the department. 

There is a preference to award two scholarships for each of our two programme streams (HPS and STS). However, we may elect to support truly exceptional candidates regardless of their stream or qualification sought.

Application Procedure: Persons accepted into the programme who wish to be considered for an STS Aristotle scholarship should complete the application form and submit it to our MSc Admissions team by 31 March. Only successful recipients will be notified, and these notifications will be made by 15 April. If you do not hear from us by 15 April then sadly your scholarship application was unsuccessful.

Timeline: The deadline for scholarship applications is 31 March.

Contact: MSc Admissions Team <sts-msc-admissions@ucl.ac.uk>

2. Funding from UCL

UK/EU applicants 

Masters funding (link)

Overseas applicants

Masters funding (link)

3. Funding from UK research councils

Currently, these are poor options for MSc students. 

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

4. Funding from major charities

4.1 Wellcome Trust

Our MSc programmes fall under the remit of the Trust's Medical History and Humanities programme. We are permitted to propose one candidate for Master's funding per year. 

If you'd like to be considered for this candidature, please discuss this with our MSc Admissions Team as soon as possible. Crucially, you must be able to make a strong case that you meet the Trust's priorities for funding.

Please note:

  • Before we consider anyone for this opportunity, they must be accepted into our programme. 
  • Only degree-seeking students are eligible; diploma and certificate students are not, unfortunately.
  • The application deadline for the Trust is in May. However, our internal deadline for materials to consider is 1 April, as we need to work with the candidate to prepare their final application.
  • Selection to be our proposed candidate for the award is no guarantee the application will be funded by the Trust. Ultimately, we nominate; but, they decide.

The Trust has other schemes, too (link)

5. Funding via other sources

5.1 The Grants Register

The Grants Register. The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide is an annual reference guide. It is available in most academic libraries and many other insitutions.

5.2 British Society for the History of Science (BSHS)

BSHS bursaries are suitable for those with an interest in history of science, technology or medicine (link)

5.3 Department for Education and Skills

Career Development Loans are available from DfES (link), suitable for those pursuing vocational training.

6. Applicants from outside the United Kingdom

UCL information: Overseas Masters applicants (link)

Contact the British Council office in your own country for details of grants available.

Page last modified on 08 may 13 15:39 by Alasdair Tatam

UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS)
0207 679 1328 office | +44 207 679 1328 international
sts@ucl.ac.uk | www.ucl.ac.uk/sts | @stsucl
postal address:  Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT | United Kingdom
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