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UCL to host AI scholars as part of UK Government's tech talent programme
9 June 2025
UCL is delighted to support the UK Government’s new AI scholarship programme, that will see at least 100 students study at a top UK university, and gain further support and learning from leading technology firms.
The Spärck AI scholarships, named after pioneering British computer scientist Karen Spärck Jones, will provide fully funded master’s degrees at nine leading universities, including UCL, specialising in artificial intelligence and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), announced the new programme today (Monday 9th June), at the start of London Tech Week, and likened the initiative to the globally recognised Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships.
Applications will be open to talented undergraduate students from the UK and abroad, and provided unparalleled access to industry partnerships, work placements and mentorship opportunities. This will include the UK’s AI Security Institute as well as leading tech firms like Darktrace, Faculty and Quantexa.
As the scholarship will cover both tuition and living expenses, it is hoped this will lead to interest from talented students from low-income backgrounds, who might otherwise be unable to afford university.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “We are providing unique opportunities for talented young people to take up master’s degrees in AI, with fully funded tuition and unparalleled access to industry.
“Students will be able to go on to highly skilled jobs, building a workforce fit for the future and boosting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.
“We are also expanding our fellowship programme to bring top talent into our leading AI sector and drive forward transformational benefits to the public like new drug discoveries.
Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) said: “London Tech Week 2025 is a vital forum for shaping the trajectory of global technology, which depends on highly talented people as much as the technology itself.
“It is critically important that the UK can continue to attract the brightest and best future academics, entrepreneurs and business leaders in AI to study and work here. UCL is proud to be working with DSIT and other leading universities to make this a reality through a bold new AI Scholarships programme.”
Applications for the Spärck AI scholarships will open in Spring 2026, with the first cohort beginning their studies in October 2026. This is backed by £17.2 million in government funding and delivers on a recommendation of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Along with UCL, the other participating universities participating are: Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Imperial College London, Oxford, Manchester, Newcastle and Southampton.
Companies signed up to participate in the scholarship programme include PolyAI, Quantexa, CausaLens, Flok, Beamery, Darktrace and Faculty.
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- UCL students with one of our AI trained robotic dogs. Image taken at UCL East.
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