Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Doctoral study at UCL STEaPP offers the opportunity to become a world-class interdisciplinary researcher at the interface of science and public policy.

Students undertaking doctoral research investigate and experiment with the ways that science and engineering knowledge shapes decision-making and helps to address today’s major global challenges.

To find out core information about this degree, such as entry requirements, programme length and cost, visit the UCL prospectus site.

Doctor of Philosophy on the UCL Prospectus

Programme Structure and Training Elements
How to Apply
Fees and Funding
Supervisors

Programme Structure and Training elements

The STEaPP PhD/DPA is a four-year doctoral programme (six years for part-time students) with substantial training elements covering research methods, the policymaking process, and policy engagement for researchers. Students are initially registered on an MPhil degree and within 15-21 months are expected to sit an examination to upgrade to PhD status. The upgrade examination is based on a pilot study, giving students the opportunity to test or validate a particular theoretical or methodological approach, or case study context.

STEaPP students are expected to work with a primary supervisor based within the department, and a subsidiary supervisor from another department in the School of the Built Environment (The Bartlett), the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, or the Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

The taught component of the programme consists of five core training elements (modules from STEaPP) and two specialisation training elements (modules from STEaPP or a sister department within UCL BEAMS). The core modules are the following:

If you have any queries about the programme structure or requirements, please contact the STEaPP Postgraduate Research Administrator.

How to Apply

There are two primary routes to apply for the PhD programme:

Apply directly for an advertised studentship
This is a funded position where the project scope, supervisor and funding are already confirmed. STEaPP studentships will be listed on this web page, typically between November-March for programmes starting in September. You can also search for opportunities across UCL: Funded Research Opportunities.
Submit your own project proposal and apply for funding separately
This route allows you to scope your own research project, aligned with the expertise of a particular research supervisor at STEaPP. We can offer support in the form of information and advice about relevant funding opportunities, but students are responsible for obtaining research funding to cover tuition and living costs if they take this route. Please note, funding deadlines can fall as early as January (for an October start date) and you may need to submit your application to UCL in advance of this, to be eligible to apply. We also consider applications from self-funded students. If you receive an offer to join the PhD programme but cannot secure funding in time, you can opt to defer your offer by a year.
Before submitting a formal application to UCL, please complete the Expression of Interest form including a draft project proposal and CV. We will respond within two weeks to share feedback on the proposed project’s alignment with the department’s research, and to connect you with potential supervisors. This will provide an opportunity for your potential primary supervisors to confirm whether they can support your project, and give feedback on the draft proposal.

Departmental application process and deadline

Once you have confirmation of availability from your potential supervisor, the next step is to submit an application to UCL.
You must apply via the UCL online application. Please select the UCL Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) as your home department in the application. In order to be considered as a prospective PhD candidate, and in addition to the documentation formally required by UCL, you will need to submit the following:

A research proposal
This should be uploaded as a separate attachment to your application. The proposal is an outline of the research you intend to carry out for your PhD. It should be no more than three pages long (excluding a bibliography).
The name of at least ONE potential supervisor who you would like to review your application
List their name under the "supervision" section of your application.
A Personal Statement
Please make sure you complete the personal statement section on the electronic application. Please include a brief statement on how your research fits within the department, and a rationale for why STEaPP is the best home for your project.
Academic transcripts for each of your degree level qualifications
Transcripts should be uploaded to UCL Select. They should outline both the grades you achieved in individual modules and the overall grade you obtained in your degree programme, degree certificates are not sufficient. Transcripts must be translated into English.

Fees and funding

Fees

Information on UCL tuition fees

Funded studentships

There are currently no funded studentships available, please check this page for updates throughout the academic year.

Scholarships

There are various scholarship and funding opportunities available to MPhil/PhD students at STEaPP.

UBEL Doctoral Training Partnership

Application deadline: December 2 for preliminary applications, January 31 for full applications. Applicants should have completed their application, and ideally received a PhD offer, before submitting their scholarship application.

Eligibility: Home or international students.

This Doctoral Training Partnership offers funding for tuition fees and a maintenance stipend, for interdisciplinary research that aligns with the partnership’s specified pathways. The STEaPP PhD is available through the pathway on Science, Technology, Prosperity and Innovation.

UCL Research Excellence Scholarship

Application deadline: January 10th. Applicants should have completed their application, and ideally received a PhD offer, before submitting their scholarship application.

Eligibility: Home or international students.

For the 2025/26 academic year UCL is offering 40 fully funded UCL Research Excellence Scholarships (UCL-RES) to exceptional applicants from any country. The scholarship covers tuition fees and a maintenance stipend.

UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship

Application deadline: January 10th. Applicants should have completed their application, and ideally received a PhD offer, before submitting their scholarship application.

Eligibility: Home students from one of the following Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups: Black or Black British (Caribbean, African or other Black background), Asian or Asian British (Bangladeshi or Pakistani).

The scholarship aims to address under-representation and help improve equality, diversity and inclusion in UCL’s post-graduate research student body. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, conference costs and a professional development package.

For overseas students

Overseas students are encouraged to apply for Commonwealth and British Council Scholarships in those countries where they are administered.

For more information about funding, please see UCL’s overview of Funding for students on postgraduate research courses and Scholarships Finder.

Supervisors

Dr Irina Brass	Associate Professor of Regulation, Innovation and Public Policy
Professor Joanna Chataway	Professor of Science and Technology Policy
Dr Adam Cooper	Associate Professor of Policy Research and Practice
Professor Sarah Edwards	Professor of Bioethics
Dr Bipashyee Ghosh	Lecturer in Engineering, Innovation and Public Policy
Dr Irina Lazar	Associate Professor (Teaching) in Engineering and Public Policy
Dr Jean-Christophe (JC) Mauduit	Associate Professor of Science Diplomacy
Dr Jenny McArthur	Associate Professor in Urban Infrastructure and Policy
Professor Geoff Mulgan	Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation
Professor Julius Mugwagwa	Professor of Health Innovation and Public Policy
Professor Yacob Mulugetta	Professor of Energy and Development Policy
Professor Arthur Petersen	Professor of Science, Technology and Public Policy
Dr Roser Pujadas	Lecturer in Digital Innovation
Dr Sarah-Louise Quinnell	Associate Professor (Teaching) in Science and Technology Policy Practice
Dr Elisa Randazzo	Lecturer (Teaching) in Politics, Social Change and Innovation
Dr Jesse Sowell	Lecturer in Internet Governance and Policy
Dr Ine Steenmans	Associate Professor in Futures, Analysis and Policy
Dr Erica Thompson	Associate Professor of Modelling for Decision Making
Dr Chris Tyler	Associate Professor in Science Policy and Knowledge Infrastructure
Professor James Wilsdon	Professor of Research Policy