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The Bowman Scholarships were set up in 2019 at the CLIE as part of UCL’s commitment to support students from forced migration backgrounds into outstanding higher education institutions.
They are designed for UK-based students from forced migration backgrounds who do not have the academic qualifications to enter an undergraduate degree directly, nor the finances to study a foundation year recognised by UCL and all UK universities, Russell Group included.
Each year, we support two students.
The Bowman Scholarships fully fund the course fee for the Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) – UCL's International Foundation Year – on either the Sciences and Engineering (UPCSE) or the Humanities (UPCH) pathway.
Eligible students will also receive additional support through a campus pack valued at around £2,500 over the academic year for e.g. transport, digital equipment and connectivity, catering and other academic material costs.
The UPC qualifies students to go on to study degrees at UCL or other top UK universities.
The scholarships are named in memory of our esteemed colleague Dr Peter Bowman.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- be a forced migrant as defined by UCL
- be able to live in the Greater London area and to support yourself for your accommodation and essential living costs for the duration of the UPC academic year (September 2025 – July 2026)
- be in financial need as assessed by UCL (i.e. with a household income below £42,875)
- not have qualifications which allow you to apply directly to undergraduate degrees (e.g. A-levels)
- not have completed undergraduate study
- intend to study a UCL undergraduate degree (excluding: Fine Art BA/BFA and Medicine MBBS).
If you're able to enter a UCL undergraduate degree directly but are prevented from accessing student finance due to your immigration status, read more about our Access Opportunity Scholarship.
How to apply
Scholarship application
We receive applications at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE). You do not apply via UCAS.
There is no application fee for the Bowman Scholarship.
On the online application form, you will need to select ‘the Bowman Scholarship’ response to the question "Are you applying or do you intend to apply for a scholarship that will cover the fee?". Then you will not be requested to pay any application fee.
You can start your application and complete it later if you do not have all the documents ready right away.
Please make sure you read the Application Guidance Notes before your start your application.
If you are not sure you meet the eligibility criteria, or have any question on filling in the application form, please email the Bowman Scholarship Admissions Team.
Bowman Scholarship application
1. Fill in your application form online
You will have to apply online using the online application form (not via UCAS).
You will have to have already researched and selected which UCL undergraduate degree you wish to apply to during the UPC, and which two optional subjects you want to take on the UPC.
Please refer to our optional subjects selection guide to make sure you choose the correct subjects.
You must choose one undergraduate degree only.
You must prepare several documents which you will upload:
- proof of your immigration status
- proof of your current address
- a personal statement (you can find advice on what we expect to be included on the how to apply page).
If available, please also provide:
- Your past or current school or university transcript(s).
- Documents relating to any other studies you’ve completed (i.e. online courses, short courses), in which subjects and for how long.
- Documents relating to any employment, volunteering, or participation activities you feel is relevant to your application or that has been important to you.
- A reference from a teacher or education professional (they can use our reference template).
- Your most recent English language qualification, however if you are not able to have one, you can still apply to the scholarship and we will invite you to an academic English assessment at a later stage.
2. Take the entrance test(s)
After you have sent your application, if it is assessed as suitable, you will be invited to take one or two entrance tests.
We will let you know by email the dates when you will be invited to take the entrance tests.
- Each test lasts one hour.
- We will invite you to come to the Centre for Languages and International Education at UCL to take the tests in person.
- If you’re not able to do so, we will offer you to take these tests online.
- You will not be offered to take the tests a second time so make sure to prepare for your tests carefully. You can find advice and practice tests on the UPC website.
We will mark your entrance tests and, if you are successful, we will send you an invitation for an academic interview. If possible, we will invite you to come for the interview in person, otherwise, we will schedule it online.
If you are applying to the UPCH and do not intend to take Mathematics, you will be sent a text – the Critical Thinking task – to read and study before the interview. You will have to prepare with it and you will be asked about it during the interview.
3. Have an interview
If successful in the tests, you will be invited for an interview.
In the interview, we’ll assess your suitability for the course:
- For UPCSE applicants, the first part of the interview will challenge you on a subject-specific question, topic or problem.
- For UPCH applicants, you’ll have received a Critical Thinking task to prepare before the interview. The admissions tutor interviewing you will ask you questions based on the text – or text and images – you'll have studied.
- The second part of the interview will be a chance for us to know you better and we’ll ask you questions on your past or current studies and interests; your degree aim and your personal statement.
We may invite you to a second interview with the Bowman Scholarship Coordinator. This is a confidential discussion where we may discuss any questions relating to your application, additional financial needs as well as health and wellbeing.
If you don’t have an English language qualification, or are not able to provide one, we will also invite you to take an academic English assessment.
Following the interview, we will inform you whether you have been shortlisted for the Scholarship.
The Bowman Scholarship Selection Panel
The Bowman Scholarship Selection Panel will then meet to assess your application, and consider your academic and personal achievements, future academic plans and financial situation.
You will be informed of the final result by 20 June 2025.
Additional eligibility criteria
You will need to show that you meet the additional eligibility criteria on your accommodation plans and financial situation by 1 July 2025.
We will ask you to submit:
- Proof of housing in the Greater London area (e.g. tenancy agreement, signed declaration of host or sponsor, confirmation from UCL Student Housing) for the academic year of the UPC (September 2025 – July 2026).
- Proof of personal financial support for your living costs (approx. £3,000) and if applicable, for accommodation costs (approx. £8,000). This can be either be proof of available funds and/or proof of sponsorship or bursary.
Accepting the scholarship
If you receive the offer of a Bowman Scholarship, we will send you a confirmation form to complete and send back to us to officially accept.
You will then be enrolled as a UCL student and get prepared to start your studies in September 2025.
Next steps
We recommend that you:
- Contact the Bowman Scholarship Admissions for any questions or support with your application.
- review the UPC website and videos
- practice with sample papers for the UPC entrance tests
- research types of undergraduate financial support available after the UPC
- take free online course(s) to learn about higher education, applying to university, or digital skills
- check UCL’s Access and Widening Participation schemes for general information on events, programmes and support for under-represented groups.
About Dr Peter Bowman
Peter joined CLIE in October 2005. He taught chemistry on the Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE).
Later, he coordinated the science team and became the UPCSE's admissions tutor.
Throughout his 15 years with CLIE, his dedication to education and teaching was outstanding. Students and staff alike praised his innovative teaching and his commitment to chemistry.
Peter also represented CLIE and the UPC on worldwide recruitment, admissions and marketing trips. He shaped the life of many young international students in sharing our academic vision with them.