The Roche Scholarship for UCL MBA Health renewed for two years to support future UK health leaders

UCL Global Business School for Health (GBSH) and Roche UK are pleased to announce the continuation of their MBA Health scholarship partnership, with funding secured for students starting the programme in 2026 and 2027.

Since The Roche Scholarship was first introduced in 2022, it has supported talented individuals in the UK who may not otherwise have access to study an MBA. The extension will ensure that this support continues, with one student awarded the scholarship each year.

Open to UK-based applicants, the scholarship is aimed at candidates who identify as female and/or are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. Awards are made based on financial need and cover the full MBA Health tuition fee of £49,500.

Reflecting on the impact of the scholarship, Elsy Gomez Campos, The Roche Scholarship awardee 2023 and UCL MBA Health Alumnus, said:

“Being awarded The Roche Scholarship enabled me to undertake the UCL MBA Health, which has been central to my development as a health leader. It built on my practical experience, particularly in sustainability and collaboration between public and private healthcare.

I am now a lead pharmacist at a private hospital in London, and since completing the MBA I have led NHS projects, published a book on racial discrimination in pharmacy, and begun a PhD. I have also been awarded the Churchill Fellowship and completed other national programmes, all building on the foundation the scholarship and MBA provided.”

The MBA Health at UCL brings together business strategy, leadership and health system expertise, preparing graduates to navigate complex challenges across healthcare. As part of the programme, students take part in the Global Health Challenge, working on practical solutions to real-world health issues in an international setting.

By extending the scholarship, UCL GBSH and Roche UK reaffirm their shared focus on supporting a broader range of voices within healthcare leadership. 

When asked about the renewal of the scholarship, Professor Nora Colton, Director of the UCL GBSH, said:

“Today’s students are the leaders who will shape the future of healthcare. At the Global Business School for Health, our mission is to nurture interdisciplinary, ethical leaders who are equipped to transform health systems and improve outcomes on a global scale. This scholarship plays a vital role in opening doors for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who may not otherwise see a path into MBA study. By providing comprehensive support, we are enabling them not only to access this opportunity, but to realise their potential and make a lasting impact in healthcare.”

Kate Rowbotham, Country General Manager, Roche Products Ltd, said:

“Extending this scholarship is an important part of our commitment to shaping a more inclusive, representative healthcare workforce across the UK. By investing in underrepresented talent, we are empowering future leaders whose unique perspectives and experiences are absolutely vital to driving true sector innovation and improving patient outcomes.”