UCL and Bupa partner to support Future Health Leaders

UCL Global Business School for Health (UCL GBSH) and Bupa are working together to widen access to healthcare leadership, supporting a UK student from a disadvantaged background through their joint scholarship.

Now in its second year, the UCL Bupa Scholarship provides funding of £73,305, covering full tuition fees for the UCL MBA Health programme, alongside a living cost allowance. The award is designed to remove financial barriers and enable talented students to access world-class education, regardless of their socio-economic background.

The UCL MBA Health programme equips students with the skills and experience needed to lead complex health systems. From addressing major challenges such as ageing populations to managing large-scale budgets, graduates are equipped for leadership roles across the NHS and healthcare organisations worldwide.

Current MBA Health student, Diana Biliaieva, was awarded the Bupa Scholarship last year and began her studies in September 2025.

Speaking about receiving the scholarship and her experience on the programme so far, Diana said: “The MBA Health programme has fundamentally shifted how I position myself in healthcare, from clinician to someone who can actively influence the health systems we are redesigning around AI, without losing sight of a people-first approach. 

“Being awarded the UCL Bupa Scholarship became one of the most significant milestones of my career. It opened doors to world-class faculty, a truly global peer network, and direct access to the conversations shaping the future of health policy, innovation, and leadership.” 

Dr Oksana Gerwe, MBA Director at UCL Global Business School for Health, said:
“We see every year how powerful this kind of support can be. By removing financial barriers, we’re able to further educate people who bring drive and fresh perspectives, who might otherwise not have the opportunity to study at this level. That diversity of experience is vital to the future of healthcare leadership.”

Angie Wiseman, Group Organisational Development Director at Bupa, added:
“Strong health systems depend on people who can lead change and tackle complex challenges. Through our partnership with UCL, we are investing in individuals who are committed to making a meaningful difference in how healthcare is delivered.”

Further information 

The UCL Bupa Scholarship is open to UK-based applicants who demonstrate financial need and have applied to the full-time or part-time UCL MBA Health programme, starting in September 2026. Applicants are required to submit a CV and a 500-word essay outlining how they plan to make a meaningful impact in healthcare management, followed by a financial assessment. The deadline for scholarship applications is 28 August 2026.