Applying to the Child Health Research PhD studentship scheme

Please read the guidance below carefully before starting your application. It outlines the steps and documents needed to complete your Child Health Research (CHR) PhD studentship application.

Stage one: studentship application

Before applying, potential applicants/students must contact the supervisor of their top-choice project to discuss the group's research and supervisory arrangements. 

Deadline: 17:00 GMT, Friday 12 December 2025
Apply via: MS Form – Studentship Application
Note: Applications submitted outside this process may not be considered.

What to include in your application

  • Your name and contact email
  • Project of choice from the Child Health Research PhD project portfolio
  • Your CV details
  • Education history: List your degrees starting with the most recent. Include the degree name, awarding institution, years of study, and achieved or expected result. Mention any awards or commendations. You do not need to include GCSE or A-level grades. Avoid repeating details already covered in your research experience or personal statement.
  • Extracurricular experience: List any work, volunteering, patient/public engagement, or leadership roles e.g. student representative roles (up to 500 words).
  • Research experience: Describe your previous experience working in a research environment. This could include research undertaken during your degree(s), internships, roles as a research assistant in academia or industry, or any other positions where you applied research methods to generate new findings. Highlight any contributions that led to manuscript authorship or other published outputs. (up to 500 words).
  • Personal statement: Explain why you are applying for a Child Health Research PhD studentship and demonstrate your commitment to your chosen field of research. Highlight your motivations, relevant experience, and future aspirations (up to 500 words).
  • Name of potential project supervisor
  • Contact details for two referees
  • Nationality and how you would fund international fees, if applicable (up to 150 words)


After submitting your application, please also complete the separate EDI monitoring survey.

Overseas applicants: Please read the FAQs below before applying, which include key information about eligibility and funding.

Shortlisting and interview

  • Candidates will be shortlisted in January 2026.
  • Interviews will take place online on 19 and 20 February 2026.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be asked to give a short presentation to a panel chaired by the Institute Director of Research.

Apply for a CHR PhD studentship

Apply by 17:00 GMT on Friday 12 December 2025.

Apply now

Stage two: graduate application 
(post-interview)

If you are offered a studentship, you must:

  • Submit a UCL Graduate Application to the Child Health MPhil/PhD programme (only after being invited to do so).
  • Work with your supervisor to develop a full PhD project proposal for internal peer review and Thesis Committee approval.


Your supervisor must:

  • Submit the required GOS Institute of Child Health registration paperwork before a formal UCL offer can be made.


UCL offers are expected to be confirmed by the end of May 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

The studentship covers UK (Home) tuition fees and provides three years of financial support, which includes:

  • A tax-free stipend of £23,466 per year to help with living costs*.
  • A £6,000 annual consumables budget to support research-related expenses.
  • * Estimated value to be confirmed by UCL. See: Studentship budgets

Yes, we welcome applications from international students, and overseas candidates have previously been accepted into the programme.

  • Additional funding to cover overseas tuition fees may be available for some studentships, subject to confirmation. If you would require support with international fees, please visit: UCL Scholarships
  • EU nationals should check their eligibility for UK fee status here: Student fee status guidance

All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online only.

However, you’re welcome to contact your potential supervisor at any time to learn more about their research group. If shortlisted, you’re encouraged to ask your supervisor whether a visit or virtual meeting with the group can be arranged before the interview.

Yes, you may still be eligible to apply, especially if you achieve at least a merit in your MSc.

Please note that this is a highly competitive scheme, with an average of around 33 applicants per studentship. Candidates who don’t hold a first-class degree at undergraduate or master’s level can still be competitive if they have strong research experience, such as internships, assistant roles, or contributions to published work.

Yes, before submitting your application, you must contact the supervisor of your top-choice project to discuss their research and supervisory arrangements. You’ll be asked to name this supervisor in your application.

Please note that supervisors may be contacted by multiple applicants and may not be able to meet with everyone individually.

If you’re offered a studentship, you’ll then work with your supervisor to develop a full project proposal. This will be submitted for internal peer review by departmental academics before your studentship begins.

Project allocation is based on merit. After shortlisting and interviews, all applicants are ranked.

  • Candidates who rank highest will have a wider choice of projects.
  • Those ranked lower may be offered more limited options, depending on availability.
  • Studentships are linked to specific funding sources, which means allocated projects must align with those funding requirements.

Please ask them to wait (they usually will). If not, contact us. 

References are not requested at the time of application. We only contact referees after candidates have been shortlisted for an interview. References are then shared with the interview panel as part of the final selection process.

Phd studentships