Bowman Scholarship

You will have to apply online using the online application form (not via UCAS).

You will have to have already researched and selected which UCL undergraduate degree you wish to apply to during the UPC, and which two optional subjects you want to take on the UPC.

Please refer to our selection guide to make sure you choose the correct subjects.

You must choose one UCL undergraduate degree only.

You must prepare several documents which you will upload:

• proof of your immigration status
• proof of your current address
• a personal statement (you can find advice on what we expect to be included on the UPC how to apply page).

If available, please also provide:

• Your past or current school or university transcript(s).
• Documents relating to any other studies you’ve completed (i.e. online courses, short courses), in which subjects and for how long.
• Documents relating to any employment, volunteering, or participation activities you feel is relevant to your application or that has been important to you.
• A reference from a teacher or education professional (they can use our reference template).
• Your most recent English language qualification, however if you are not able to have one, you can still apply to the scholarship and we will invite you to an academic English assessment at a later stage.

After you have sent your application, if it is assessed as suitable, you will be invited to take one or two entrance tests (see UPC how to apply page).

We will let you know by email the dates when you will be invited to take the entrance tests.

• Each test lasts one hour.
• We will invite you to come to the Centre for Languages & International Education at UCL to take the tests in person.
• If you’re not able to do so, we will offer you to take these tests online.
• You will not be offered to take the tests a second time so make sure to prepare for your tests carefully. You can find advice and practice tests on the to UPC how to apply page.

We will mark your entrance tests and, if you are successful, we will send you an invitation for an interview. If possible, we will invite you to come for the interview in person, otherwise, we will schedule it online.

If you are applying to the UPCH and do not intend to take Mathematics, you will be sent a text – see samples on UPC how to apply page – to read and study before the interview. You will have to prepare with it and you will be asked about it during the interview.

If successful in the tests, you will be invited for an interview.

In the interview, we’ll assess your suitability for the course:

• For UPCH applicants, you’ll have received by email a critical thinking task to prepare before the interview. The admissions tutor interviewing you will ask you questions based on the text – or text and images – you'll have studied.
• For both UPCSE and UPCH applicants, the second part of the interview will be a chance for us to know you better and we’ll ask you questions on your past or current studies and interests; your degree aim and your personal statement.

You may be invited to a second interview with the Bowman Scholarship Coordinator. This will be a confidential discussion where we may discuss any questions relating to your application, additional financial needs as well as health and wellbeing.

If you don’t have an English language qualification, or are not able to provide one, we will invite you to take an academic English assessment with one of our specialist tutors. This test is done online and will consists of writing and speaking tasks.

Following the interview and English assessment (if required), we will inform you whether you have been shortlisted for the Scholarship.

Personal details

Your scholarship application is totally confidential. The selection panel can only consider information that you provide.

Immigration status

To confirm your immigration status, you’ll need to tick the appropriate box on the form. You must provide documents from the Home Office to support your asylum or human rights claim. If your immigration status changes at any point, please inform us promptly.

Your current personal/family financial situation

You’ll need to detail your personal income and that of your family or guardian, if relevant. Specifically, we need this information for the year prior to your application, and for the coming academic year, where you may be joining the UPC (e.g. do you receive any benefits? Do you have income to support your life in London?).

Past studies, training, voluntary work, professional experiences

We’ll ask you to provide evidence of your past academic studies and any courses you've attended. You can also detail any of your training, voluntary or professional experiences.

Support network, special support

We’ll ask you for information on your current situation. This includes any support network you may have here in the UK (e.g. charity sponsorship, solicitor, mentor, friends and/or family) and whether you may need additional support (e.g. preparing for tests, accessing information online).

Your future undergraduate degree

You will need to choose the undergraduate degree you wish to apply to and start after your foundation year on the UPC. You will have to write down the UCL degree programme name you’d like to apply to on your Application Form. See list of UCL degrees.

When you decide, you should look at the entry requirements of the degree to make sure you have selected the right optional subjects on the UPC (e.g for a Mechanical Engineering degree, you will need to take Mathematics and Physics and already have a good level in these subjects; for a Politics degree, you will need to take History and Politics; for a Medical Sciences degree, you will need to take Biology and Chemistry).

Your studies on the UPC

We’ll ask you to state which pathway and optional subjects you wish to take (refer to our subject selection guide).

Your English abilities

We’ll ask you if you have an English qualification. This might be from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). We also want to know if you've spoken or studied English before. If you are unable to pay for one of these tests, we will ask you to take an English assessment with one of our tutors. This will be free of charge.

Your personal statement

We will ask you to write a personal statement. Your personal statement should highlight why you want to study your chosen undergraduate degree. You may also include any information on your past studies, work experiences or achievements. This is a chance to tell us about your personal and academic background. We have included questions on the form to help you write this.

Reference form

You’ll be asked to submit a reference form. You’ll have to contact your referee and ask them to fill in the form and email it to clie-bowmanscholarship@ucl.ac.uk.

• Download reference form.

To consider your application, we need to receive evidence of your immigration status and income. Please provide as much evidence as you can from the lists below.

The checklist below details examples of documents you can provide:

Academic background

• Past or current school or university transcripts
• Proof of enrolment or attendance
• Student card
• Leaving certificate
• Certificate or proof of completion

UK study

• School or university transcripts
• Proof of enrolment or attendance
• Student card
• Leaving certificate
• Certificate or proof of completion

Training, voluntary work and professional experience

• Proof of attendance
• Proof of work
• Professional reference
• Other (e.g. certificate of completion, award, recommendation letter)

Current address in London or the Greater London area

• Proof of address (utility, phone or council tax bill, rental agreement)
• Host Declaration Letter
• Proof of accommodation by a UKVI housing partner or registered charity

Immigration status

• Application Registration Card (ARC) with both sides presented
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card with both sides presented
• Standard Acknowledgment Letter (SAL)
• Asylum application
• Letter from Home Office
• Letter from your solicitor
• Letter from Student Finance
• Letter from your local authority
• Letter from Children’s Services
• P60 if you have a job
• Other evidence

Evidence of income

We’re interested in the financial information relating to the 12-month period before your UPC application. We will also need to see evidence of income for the coming academic year when you may be joining the UPC.

We’re interested in the financial information relating to the 12-month period before your UPC application.

• Recent bank statements (annual bank statement or account summary)
• Payslips
• Employer letter confirming employment
• Letter from registered care home confirming residence
• Proof of Asylum Seekers’ Allowance
• Proof of any bursary, grant, or scholarship support