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UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship Application Guidance

The below is guidance for how to complete the online application for UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship.

Please note

To be eligible to apply for the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship, you must have already submitted an admission application to UCL for the 2025/26 academic year. If you have not yet submitted your application for admission, you will be unable to apply for this scholarship. While you do not need to have received an offer of admission to be eligible, your fee status must be confirmed by UCL Admissions, as only students paying overseas fees are eligible.

This scholarship application is specific to the programme you applied for. If you applied for multiple programmes, you would need to complete a separate scholarship application for each one. 

If you wish to change your programme at any stage, even after being informed of a successful application, you must notify the Student Funding Office (SFO) before making any changes to ensure your scholarship application remains valid. 

As part of the scholarship application, you will be asked to provide details about your financial situation, including household income and any other funds available for your studies. Personal details and academic references will be automatically obtained from your UCAS application, so we do not request this information again in the scholarship application form.

Submission Deadline

To see the deadline please visit the Global Undergraduate Scholarship web page

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered under any circumstances. No exceptions will be made, even if you receive your UCL admission offer after the scholarship deadline. It is essential to submit your application on time, as we require approximately one month to assess and complete the selection process for all submissions. We aim to notify applicants by 4 June 2025, which is the UCAS deadline for students to respond to offers.

If you are eligible but cannot access the online application form, email the Student Funding Office (SFO) explaining your situation. We will send you an electronic form to complete. Please contact us well before the deadline to ensure your application is submitted on time.

Navigating the form

  • To move through the form, click the ‘Next’ button at the bottom of each page.
  • You must answer all required questions to proceed. If any mandatory questions are missed, an error message will alert you.
  • Avoid entering extra spaces at the end of each line when answering [Optional] questions.
  • Do not use symbols or bullet points when answering [Optional] questions.
  • To complete your application, click the ‘Next’ button on the final page (after the two declarations).
  • Once submitted, you cannot make changes, so double-check your information before submitting.
  • After submission, you will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your application.

Answering the questions

PERSONAL DETAILS SECTION (Q2-5)

Q2. [Mandatory] Will you choose UCL as your firm choice with UCAS? (Yes/No)

If your application is successful, you must select UCL as your firm choice with UCAS for the 2025/26 academic year to accept the scholarship offer. For guidance on replying to offers and important deadlines, please visit the UCAS website. We aim to inform you of the outcome of your scholarship application by 4 June 2025.

Q3. [Mandatory] Do you already hold an Undergraduate degree? (Yes/No)

For some schemes based on financial need, students who have not yet had the opportunity to study for an undergraduate degree will be given preference to those who already have an undergraduate degree.

Q4. [Mandatory] Did you attend a fee-paying institution (similar to a private school that charges tuition fees) for your previous education? (Yes/No)

In the UK, a fee-paying institution is a school or college that requires students to pay tuition fees, unlike state-funded schools, which are free to attend. In some countries, education may be fully funded by the government and free of charge for families with lower incomes or those facing hardship. Please indicate if your previous school or college charged tuition fees, as this information helps us assess financial need for the Global Undergraduate Scholarship.

Q5. [Mandatory] Did you receive any scholarship support (e.g. a hardship scholarship to help with tuition fees or living expenses) while studying at your previous institution? (Yes/No)

This question seeks to gather information about any financial assistance you may have received while studying at your previous institution. Scholarship support can include hardship scholarships, which help cover costs such as tuition fees and living expenses. Knowing your financial support history helps us better assess your current financial needs.

HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL DETAILS SECTION (Q7-20)

Q7. [Mandatory] Please provide your household’s total annual income (before tax) in UK £ sterling (numerical values only).

Please provide your household’s total annual income before tax for the 2023-24 tax year. We understand that tax years can differ by country, so please use the last completed tax year applicable to your home country. e.g. If you are from one of the many countries that have a tax year from January to December, please provide your income for the period from January 2024 to December 2024.

The tax year you use for Question 7 must be the same as the one used for Questions 8-11.

All figures in this section must be in UK £ sterling; you can use a currency converter at xe.com. We will not convert them for you, and incorrect amounts may affect your application.

Include income from the following sources that apply to you:

  • Salaries, wages, tax credits, and dividends (including income from any business, whether family-run or otherwise).
  • Financial support from family members/guardians (such as gifts or regular financial contributions).
  • Self-employment income (based on profit only).
  • Investment returns (including rental income and business profits not taken as salary).
  • Pensions (both state and private).

Household Definition:

Household members include anyone whose income supports shared expenses like rent, bills, and food. Part-time earnings (including your own) do not need to be included if they aren’t contributed toward these shared expenses.

Examples:

  • If you live with family members/guardians or a partner, please include all relevant incomes.
  • If you live independently but receive financial support from family/guardian or a partner, include all relevant incomes.
  • If you live independently and are fully financially independent, include only the income supporting your general living costs.

Verification:

If shortlisted, you will need to provide evidence of this income. Acceptable documents include:

  • Salary/Income statements from employers
  • Bank statements showing consistent income deposits
  • Official household income statements or certificates
  • Pension statements
  • Property/Rental income documentation
  • Other relevant documentations

Please ensure that these documents clearly reflect household income for the 2023-24 tax year and match the total amount provided in this question.

Q8. [Mandatory] How many people’s incomes are included in your answer to Q7 (numerical values only)?

This should include everyone whose income contributes to your household’s financial support.

Q9. [Mandatory] Please provide the total income (before tax) of the highest earner in your household in UK £ sterling (numerical values only).

Based on your answer to Q7, please provide the total income (before tax) of the highest earner in your household. If the highest earner is the only income earner in the household, the total income should match the total household income provided in Q7.

Q10. [Mandatory] Please provide the total income (before tax) of the second highest earner in your household in UK £ sterling (numerical values only).

Based on your answer to Q7, please provide the total income (before tax) of the second highest earner in your household. If there is no second earner in the household, please enter 0.

Q11. [Mandatory] Please provide the total income (before tax) of the third highest earner in your household in UK £ sterling (numerical values only).

Based on your answer to Q7, please provide the total income (before tax) of the third highest earner in your household. If there is no third earner in the household, please enter 0.

Q12. [Mandatory] Please select the most appropriate employment category for your household's highest earner. 

 

 

Please select the employment category that best describes the main income earner in your household, using the attached document as a guide to help you choose the correct category from the dropdown list. Make sure to choose carefully, as this category will impact the financial assessment of your application.

If the household's highest earner has retired, please select the employment category that best applies to their most recent job title before retirement.

If your family runs a business, please select the category that best describes the type of business, whether it is related to skilled work, manual work, or another type. If you are unsure which category to choose, please email us for assistance.

* These broad categorisations are based on the Office for National Statistics' Standard Occupational Classification for the UK (2020) and the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) (2008).

Q13. [Mandatory] Please provide the job title of the highest earner in your household. If you selected "Unemployed" in Q12, please include their former job title here.

Please provide the job title of the highest earner in your household as indicated in Q12, using the above employment category document as guidance. If there is a second or third earner in your household, please provide their job titles in Q16.

If you selected "Unemployed" in Q12, please provide their most recent job title before unemployment. Additionally, include the date and reason they left this job in Q16.

Q14. [Optional] If you would like to provide any additional information on your household income, please do so here (500 characters max.)

Please share any relevant details about your financial situation that may help us better understand your circumstances. This could include things like a recent business bankruptcy, a parent’s divorce, a country at war, an economic crisis that has significantly impacted your family, or even a positive factor such as having more than three earners in your household. Any additional information will help us assess your financial need more accurately.

Q15. [Optional] If you would like to provide any additional information on exceptional household expenditure, please do so here (500 characters max.)

Please share any significant or unexpected costs that impact your household’s financial situation, such as large medical bills, debt repayments, or other unusual expenses. This information will help us better understand your circumstances when assessing your application.

Q16. [Optional] If you would like to provide any additional information on your household employment situation, please do so here (500 characters max.)

Please share any factors related to your household’s employment that may affect your financial situation, such as redundancy, job loss, reduced working hours, retirement, or the death of a household member. You can also include situations like a family member being unable to work due to illness, disability, or care duties. This information will help us better understand your circumstances when assessing your application.

Q17. [Mandatory] Please specify the total number of people in your household who are fully dependent on the combined income indicated in Q7. (Include both earners and non-earners) (numerical values only).

This number should include everyone in the household who relies fully on the income indicated in Q7. This means all income earners, yourself, and any other household members who depend on this income, such as children, elderly family members, or others who are financially supported by this combined income.

Q18. [Optional] If you would like to provide any additional information about the dependents in your household, please do so here (500 characters max.)

If simply noting the number of dependents in Q17 does not fully reflect your household’s situation, please use this space to provide further details. For example, if a dependent is unable to work due to long-term illness or disability, or if there are other factors that impact their financial dependency, please share this information to help us better understand your circumstances.

Q19. [Mandatory] Please estimate your household’s total annual income for your first year of study in UK £ sterling (numerical values only).

Using the same earners included in Q7, please provide an estimate of your household's total income for the 2024/25 tax year. This should reflect the combined income your household expects to receive during your first year of study.

Q20. [Mandatory] If the income in Q19 differs from the amount provided in Q7, please explain the reason for the change (500 characters max).

For example, this could be due to a change in employment such as a job switch, retirement, redundancy, or promotion. If your household income has significantly changed since 2024, and you’ve provided an estimate in Q19, please be prepared to provide supporting documents if shortlisted.

If the income in Q19 and Q7 is the same, simply state "income not changed."

FUNDING DETAILS SECTION (Q22-28) 

In this section, we ask you to provide details on how you plan to cover the costs of your studies, including any funding sources besides the Global Scholarship. Please specify the amount of funding you expect to have access to for the entire duration of your undergraduate programme (3 - 4 years, including any study abroad year), covering both tuition fees and living expenses. For each source listed in questions (Q22-26), indicate the amount of funding you expect. If a funding source does not apply to you, please enter £0.

As the Global Scholarships offer both full and partial awards, we will assess your ability to cover tuition fees and living expenses based on the amounts you enter in questions (Q22-26).

Please note that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) require international students to show they can pay for the first year’s tuition fees and have at least £12,006 for living expenses (£1,334 per month for 9 months). For information on the minimum financial requirements for a student visa please visit Student visa Money 

All figures in this section must be in UK £ sterling; you can use a currency converter at xe.com. We will not convert them for you, and incorrect amounts may affect your application.

Q22. [Mandatory] Please enter the total amount of loans that accrue interest (e.g. bank loans, government loans) for the entire duration of your programme.

Please enter the total amount of all loans that accrue interest (e.g. bank or government loans) for the entire duration of your programme. This is the sum of all loans you have. If you have multiple loans, add them together to get the total.

Q23. [Mandatory] Please enter the total amount of interest-free loans (e.g. family loans) for the entire duration of your programme.

Please enter the total amount of interest-free loans (e.g. family loans) that will cover the entire duration of your programme. This includes any voluntary loans provided by your parents or other family members for your study. Family loans are different from family contributions, as loans are repayable, even if the lender is a family member. This means you must repay the amount borrowed later. If you have multiple family loans, add them together to get the total amount.

Q24. [Mandatory] Please enter the total value of scholarships, awards, or bursaries for the entire duration of your programme.

This should include any scholarships, awards, bursaries, or similar funding that you intend to apply for, have applied for, or have secured. DO NOT include the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship.

Q25. [Mandatory] Please enter the total amount of family contribution for the entire duration of your programme.

Family contributions refer to money that family members provide to support your studies, and it is typically non-repayable, meaning you do not need to pay this money back. This could be a gift or ongoing support that is not linked to any specific savings account.

Q26. [Mandatory] Please enter the total amount of personal/family savings for the entire duration of your programme.

Savings refer to the amount of money that you or your family have saved and can access for use in funding your studies at UCL. Savings are typically held in bank accounts and can be tracked through statements. If shortlisted, you will be required to provide evidence of these savings, such as bank statements from your savings accounts.

Q27. [Mandatory] Please estimate the remaining amount needed to cover the full cost of the programme if it’s not covered by the funding sources entered in Q22-26.

To do this, add up the funding you listed in Q22–26 and compare it to the total cost of your programme. The difference is the shortfall — the amount still needed.

We understand this may not be exact, but please provide your best estimate. This will help us understand how much extra support you may need. For reference, the full cost for one year (based on 39 weeks) includes tuition fees plus £12,006 for living expenses. If you're unsure about the exact cost, an approximate amount will work.

Q28. [Optional] If you have any additional information about the funding sources from Q22-26, or the shortfall amount in Q27, please provide it here.

This can include details on other forms of financial support that don't fit into the categories listed in Q22-26, such as non-monetary support (e.g. free accommodation with family or shared housing with relatives in the UK).

While we expect students to have some financial provision, if you have no funding due to circumstances like your country being at war, or if you have no family support and face a full shortfall, please mention this.

Additionally, if you don’t plan to go home during your vacation period (outside of the 39 weeks of study term time), please explain how you will cover the costs. This information will help us better understand your financial situation.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS SECTION (Q30-32) 

Q30. [Mandatory] Are you the first member of your family to attend university at any level? (Yes/No)

This includes your immediate family (parents and siblings) who have attended university at either the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Q31. [Mandatory] Are you from a single-parent household? (Yes/No)

Please indicate if you were raised in a household with one parent. A single-parent household refers to a family where the parent is widowed, divorced and not remarried, or has never married.

Q32. [Mandatory] Are you or any of your family members currently receiving welfare or state benefits? If yes, please provide the total amount received. If no, please enter 0 (numerical values only).

Welfare or state benefits are payments provided by the government to individuals or families with low incomes or specific needs.

If ‘yes’, you can provide more information in Q14.


Your form is complete

Thank you for submitting your application for the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship for the 2025/26 academic year. We appreciate the time and effort you have put into this process.

If you have any further questions not answered above, please feel free to contact Student Funding.