This prestigious UCL programme makes available 25 fully-funded scholarships. It is open to current first year undergraduate students in any discipline.

The Laidlaw Scholarship Programme aims to create the leaders of the future through a mix of training and intensive summer research periods.

It runs at a number of high ranking universities and is becoming regarded as an indicator of exceptional academic and leadership promise.

The scholarship is a complete programme of activities across 3 years of study. It's a chance for first-year students to:

• get involved in UCL’s research, working with academic staff on questions of global significance;
• develop and practise leadership skills in preparation for life after graduation;
• be part of a high performing group of students from across UCL;
• enhance your CV and employability for the future.

The programme provides Laidlaw scholars with leadership training, and allows them to undertake two fully-funded six-week periods of intensive research in the summer holidays of their first and second years of study.

The programme is generously funded by Baron Laidlaw of Rothiemay.

There are two application routes:

Choosing a summer project from the list

The list of projects is published in early November.  Projects usually form part of a larger research project the supervisors are running.  You can apply for any project which interests you.  It does not have to relate to your current studies. However, as part of your application, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the key criteria for that project.  These are listed on the website under each project.  There is a box on the online form for you to demonstrate that you meet these criteria.

Submitting a summer project which you have devised yourself

You will need to find a suitable member of academic staff within UCL who agrees to supervise you.  They will assist you with the project-related element of your application.  The project needs to be:

• something you’re really interested in, 
• at an appropriate academic level, and 
• realistically achievable within six weeks.

Bear in mind that undertaking your own project will demand a lot of self-reliance – you’ll need to organise your own work and your own time, negotiate with others as needed, and try to find a way through any setbacks.  Having said that, it can be immensely satisfying to complete your own piece of research at a high level.