How to apply and secure funding

To help you succeed in your application process in the EPSRC CDT in Cyber-Physical Risk, we've outlined the steps to secure your place and funding.

Please note that you must submit your application via UCL's applicant portal by Sunday 15 June 23:59 BST. This will allow time for your referees to upload their references and for UCL Admissions to confirm that your application is complete before we shortlist applications early May. You can track the status of your application at any time. 

Diversity monitoring data

UCL is committed to equality of opportunity in our studentship selection. Before submitting your application, please complete the diversity monitoring form. 

This data will help us assess the effectiveness of our policies and ensure equal opportunities. Your responses are confidential and will not affect your application outcome. The information will be used for administrative and anonymised monitoring purposes required by our funder. Please review UCL Prospective Students Privacy Notice. 

UCL is required to report this data to EPSRC in an aggregated, anonymised format. Please review EPSRC's data policy. 

Application steps

Note: The dedicated page for UCL Prospective Students will be available soon. In the meantime, you can begin your application and submit it via the applicant portal. 

For applicants selecting a pre-set project (and funding from EPSRC and/or AlbionVC):

1. Select a project

Review the project outlines on our website and choose one that aligns with your research and entrepreneurial interests. 

Tip: Familiarise yourself with the research conducted in the area. Read the papers published by the academic(s) who proposed the project. Read the papers written by their PhD students.

2. Select a funding plan

Depending on the projects, you may apply for funding from:

• EPSRC (eligibility: home-fee status—see UCL guidance), and/or
• Albion VC (home-fee status - please check further eligibility criteria and guidance before applying)

We are unable to accept self-funded students this year. If you have alternative funding from an organisation or government, please contact the CDT administrator for further guidance at scs-admissions@ucl.ac.uk 

3. Develop a research plan

A PhD project typically consists of three or four studies coherently designed and conducted to produce new knowledge about a given topic (see example). You should have some ideas about the research questions that you might try to answer in the first couple of studies.

4. Confirm supervisor availability

Contact the author(s) of the project. Briefly introduce yourself and indicate your interest in the project they proposed. Outline the set of research and entrepreneurial skills you possess that are relevant to this project.

Ask them to confirm they are willing to review your application. Only applications deemed a good fit for the project and of interest to the academic will be considered. Once they have agreed, list their names under the "Proposed Supervisor" section of the application form on the applicant portal and at the top of your personal statement.

If you wish to receive funding support from AlbionVC, please contact the lead supervisor to check if the project is eligible for this route.

5. Start your application via the applicant portal

Visit UCL's applicant portal to start your application as early as possible. Answer all the questions in the application form, and feel free to make edits at any time before submitting. 

6. Academic transcripts

Upload transcripts for all degree-level qualifications to the applicant portal. These should detail individual module grades and the overall degree classification. Degree certificates alone are not sufficient.
If transcripts are not in English, they must be translated.

7. Write your PhD Application Supporting Statement 

Download the template below and complete the different sections of the PhD Application Supporting Statement: pathway, funding scheme, research proposal and personal statement. Depending on the funding you are applying for, you will also need to complete the EPSRC funding and/or AlbionVC funding sections.

8. Nominate two referees

Your application must include details of two referees who can assess your academic ability. At least one referee must be an academic who can comment on your research skills.
If your most recent academic qualification was over five years ago, you may provide a reference based on research experience gained during employment.

9. Submit your application via the applicant portal

Before submitting it via UCL's applicant portal, double-check that all required information and documents are correct and complete. Once submitted, you will only be able to update your name, contact details, and referee information.

Make sure all sections are completed and submit your application by 10:00 BST on Friday 25 April. For more details on UCL application process, visit this page.

Funding details for 2025/26

• Tuition fees: to see details about this, please visit the UCL Prospectus fee information page
• Stipend: £22,870 per year
• Research training and expenses: up to £4,000 per year to cover research-related expenses, such as equipment, software, travel, and training 

Please note that tuition fees are included as part of our studentship and are paid on your behalf. 

General entry requirements

To be eligible, you must have achieved (or be predicted to achieve) a first-class or upper second-class honours undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent international qualifications or experience). An appropriate Master’s degree is preferred but not essential.

You must also meet UCL’s English language requirements. If your first language is not English, you will need to provide evidence of proficiency. Further details can be found on UCL English language requirements web page. This programme requires Good level (Level 2) proficiency .

What happens after applying?

Applications will be reviewed in a three-stage process. If you receive any correspondence about your application, please respond promptly.

Final decisions for Round 1 are expected by May 2025, though this happen later due to staff availability and other factors.

Stage 1: Shortlisting – CDT Recruitment Panel

The CDT recruitment panel will review all applications and shortlist candidates for academic review.

Stage 2: Shortlisting & Interviews – Academic Review

• Candidates not shortlisted in Stage 1 will be notified.
• Academics will review shortlisted applications and identify a supervisory team (ideally including at least one additional supervisor).
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview by the CDT administrator or an academic. If you require adaptations or support to attend the interview, please let us know in advance so arrangements can be made.
• During the interview, the panel will assess candidates for either the EPSRC or AlbionVC funding support. 
• If you are being considered for the AlbionVC funding support, we will contact you to schedule a second interview.

Stage 3: Final Selection – CDT Recruitment Panel

• Candidates not selected after interviews will be notified.
• The CDT panel will review final nominations based on feedback from AlbionVC and Supervisors and make the final selection.

What if you are not selected?

Competition for funded studentships is strong. If you are not selected, this does not mean that you have been rejected by UCL or from other funding opportunities you may have applied to.

Appeals and complaints

Decision are made through a multi-step review process, considering not only individual applications, but also the future portfolio of research and cohorts within the CDT. Appeals based on disagreement with reviewers’ judgment will not be considered.

However, if you believe that the application process (as outlined on this page) was not followed correctly, you may raise your concern by contacting scs.phd@ucl.ac.uk. Your application will then be reviewed by a panel in light of this new information.

You are welcome to contact the department to explore alternative opportunities.

AlbionVC-Supported Venture PhDs

Interested in turning your research into a venture-backed spinout? You will work closely with academic supervisors, develop novel solutions, and gain access to mentoring, funding, and resources.

Find out more.