The UCL Bartlett Promise Scholarship 2027 offers eligible students from Sub-Saharan Africa full overseas tuition-fee funding, a £18,348 stipend and support for specified travel and immigration costs. It is available to students starting eligible taught Master’s courses at University College London’s Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment in September 2027.
However, nationality alone does not determine eligibility. Applicants must also meet requirements relating to residence, previous study, other Master’s funding, household income and their UCL admission offer.
Applications open on 15 February 2027 and close on 31 March 2027 at 23:45 BST. Since UCL’s admission decisions can take up to four months during busy periods, prospective applicants should start preparing well before the scholarship application opens.
What Does the UCL Bartlett Promise Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship provides the following support for the normal duration of an eligible Bartlett Master’s programme:
| Funding component | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Full overseas tuition fees |
| Living and study expenses | £18,348 stipend |
| Travel | One flight from the recipient’s country of domicile in Sub-Saharan Africa to London and a return flight at the end of the visa |
| Student visa | UKVI Study Visa fees |
| English-language assessment | Fees for any English-language assessment required by UCL |
| Health and immigration costs | Required visa health checks and the NHS Immigration Health Surcharge |
Recipients can also access mentoring, personal support and careers advice during their studies.
The funding package is substantial, but it does not mean every personal expense will be covered. The stipend contributes towards living and study costs, while the travel benefit covers the specified flights. Applicants should consult UCL’s full funding terms for details of the support available.
UCL plans to award up to three Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarships, plus one additional award through the Bartlett Promise Prescot Scholarship. These are competitive awards, so meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
Who Is Eligible for the Bartlett Promise Scholarship 2027?
You must satisfy all the mandatory eligibility conditions below.
1. Nationality and residence
You must be a national of an approved Sub-Saharan African country and reside in an eligible country. Holding an eligible nationality without meeting the residence requirement is not sufficient.
UCL’s approved list includes:
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (including Somaliland), South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Important: UCL states that applicants from Cameroon and Sudan cannot be considered until further notice because of UK government legislation affecting their ability to obtain a UK Study Visa from 26 March 2026. Check the official scholarship page for updates before applying.
2. British citizenship restriction
You must not hold British citizenship, including dual British citizenship. Being a national of an eligible African country does not override this restriction.
3. Previous study outside Sub-Saharan Africa
You must not have completed undergraduate or postgraduate studies outside Sub-Saharan Africa.
If you have previously studied abroad, check this condition carefully before applying. Contact UCL if you are unsure whether your educational history meets the requirement.
4. Previous or other Master’s funding
UCL excludes applicants who have already received, or receive, funding for a Master’s or equivalent qualification at a university outside its approved Sub-Saharan African countries, within the period specified in the 2027 rules.
The published eligibility wording covers the period from the application date, 31 March 2027, through 1 October 2028. If you have received funding for another Master’s qualification or expect to receive it during this period, consult UCL before assuming you qualify.
This restriction concerns funding for a Master’s or equivalent qualification as described in UCL’s rules. Do not automatically interpret it as a ban on every form of financial assistance.
5. A qualifying UCL admission offer
You must have an offer for a Bartlett Master’s course starting in the 2027–28 academic year. The offer must be:
- Unconditional, meaning you have met the admission conditions; or
- Conditional only on meeting English-language requirements.
An offer that still depends on another requirement, such as providing an outstanding academic transcript, does not meet the stated condition.
You do not need to have accepted the course offer before applying for the scholarship. However, UCL must receive your qualifying offer letter by the scholarship deadline for you to be considered for shortlisting.
6. Household income below £42,875
Your assessed household income must be less than £42,875.
This is a household-income criterion, not necessarily a test of your personal salary alone. If you are uncertain about whose income should be included or what evidence UCL requires, consult the official FAQ or contact the scholarship team.
Who is particularly encouraged to apply?
UCL particularly encourages applications from forced migrants and people who would be the first in their family to attend university at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
These backgrounds are encouraged, but they do not replace the mandatory eligibility requirements.
What Is the Bartlett Promise Prescot Scholarship?
The Bartlett Promise Prescot Scholarship is an additional award for an eligible Sub-Saharan African female student who has an offer to study the MSc Infrastructure Investment and Finance programme starting in 2027–28.
It provides the same stated funding package as the Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship, including full overseas tuition fees, a £18,348 stipend and specified travel and immigration-related costs.
Eligible applicants do not need to submit a separate Prescot application. They should use the Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s application form and will be considered for both awards.
The additional course requirement matters: an offer for another Bartlett Master’s programme does not meet the Prescot scholarship’s specific course condition.
How to Apply for the UCL Bartlett Promise Scholarship 2027
The application process has two main stages: securing admission to a suitable Bartlett Master’s course and applying for the scholarship.
Step 1: Choose an eligible Bartlett Master’s course
Identify a taught Master’s programme offered by the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment that fits your academic background and career plans.
Read the official course page to check admission requirements, supporting documents, English-language conditions and application instructions. Do not assume that every postgraduate programme at UCL qualifies.
Step 2: Apply for admission early
UCL says applications for Master’s courses open in October 2026. It aims to make decisions within ten weeks of receiving an application, but it does not guarantee this turnaround. During busy periods, decisions can take up to four months.
UCL therefore recommends applying early, particularly in November or December, to improve your chances of receiving an offer before the scholarship deadline.
The course application fee is £90. UCL offers up to 100 application-fee waivers on a first-come, first-served basis. You must complete the relevant application sections before requesting a waiver, and UCL does not reimburse fees already paid.
If you need a waiver, check the official instructions and apply as early as possible. Do not assume that one will still be available.
Step 3: Check your admission offer
When UCL issues your offer, confirm that it is for an eligible Bartlett Master’s course starting in 2027–28 and is unconditional or conditional only on English-language requirements.
If another condition remains outstanding, contact UCL to clarify your position. Do not assume that any conditional offer will qualify.
Step 4: Submit the scholarship application
The scholarship application opens on 15 February 2027. Complete the form accurately, providing the information requested about your educational, personal and financial circumstances.
UCL’s main instructions say applicants must already have received an offer. Its FAQ also permits applicants to submit the scholarship form before the offer arrives, provided UCL receives the qualifying offer letter by 31 March 2027.
The safest approach is to secure your offer early. If it has not arrived when you are ready to apply, check UCL’s current instructions and contact the scholarship team rather than assuming that a pending admission decision will be accepted.
After submitting the scholarship application, email a copy of your UCL admission offer letter to bartlett.promise@ucl.ac.uk by 31 March 2027 at 23:45 BST. UCL states that it must receive the letter by that deadline for you to be considered for shortlisting.
Step 5: Prepare for selection
UCL considers applicants’ educational, personal and financial circumstances. The scholarship panel does not separately assess academic merit beyond requiring applicants to meet the conditions of their UCL admission offer.
Eligible applicants are not all guaranteed shortlisting. UCL selects candidates who are most underrepresented at the Bartlett, based on their application information and the selection process.
Shortlisted candidates are expected to take part in a dialogue with a representative from the Windsor Fellowship, an organisation that supports the selection process. UCL schedules these dialogues between 26 April and 7 May 2027, by phone or video call.
Use your application to explain your circumstances clearly and accurately. Ensure that your information is consistent and supported where required.
UCL says successful applicants will be notified by 28 May 2027 in the main scholarship information section. Check the official page for any changes to the timetable.
What Happens If Your Offer Depends on an English-Language Test?
An offer conditional only on English-language requirements can qualify for the scholarship. You do not necessarily need to have met the English requirement before applying.
UCL’s FAQ states that, if you receive a scholarship with an offer conditional on an English-language test, the Bartlett Promise will pay for the required test. You must meet or exceed the course’s English-language requirement by 30 June 2027; otherwise, the scholarship offer may be withdrawn.
Check the English-language level required by your specific course and the conditions stated in your offer letter. Do not assume that the same test or score applies to every Bartlett programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nigerians apply for the Bartlett Promise Scholarship 2027?
Yes. Nigeria appears on UCL’s approved list of Sub-Saharan African countries. Nigerian applicants must also meet the residence, citizenship, previous-study, funding, household-income and admission-offer requirements.
Does the scholarship cover full tuition fees?
Yes. It covers full overseas tuition fees for the normal duration of an eligible Bartlett Master’s programme. It also provides a £18,348 stipend and support for specified travel and immigration costs.
Do I need an unconditional offer?
No. UCL accepts an unconditional offer or one conditional only on English-language requirements. An offer with other outstanding conditions does not meet the published requirement.
Can I apply before receiving my admission offer?
UCL’s FAQ says you may submit the scholarship application before receiving the offer, but the qualifying offer letter must reach UCL by 31 March 2027. Because the main instructions emphasise the offer requirement, confirm the current procedure with UCL if your offer is still pending.
Must I accept my Master’s offer before applying?
No. UCL says you do not need to accept the admission offer before applying for the scholarship. You must, however, have a qualifying offer and send the offer letter by the scholarship deadline.
Does meeting the eligibility criteria guarantee a scholarship?
No. UCL offers a limited number of awards. Eligible applicants may not be shortlisted, and selection considers their circumstances and the extent to which they are underrepresented at the Bartlett.
When does the application close?
The scholarship application closes on 31 March 2027 at 23:45 BST. UCL must also receive your qualifying admission offer letter by that deadline.
Where to Find the Official Application Information
Before applying, consult UCL’s official scholarship page for the latest eligibility conditions, application instructions and updates.
Official scholarship page:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/study/scholarships-and-funding/bartlett-promise-scholarship/bartlett-promise-sub-saharan-africa-masters-scholarship
For course selection, visit UCL’s official course listings and open the relevant Bartlett Master’s programme page to review its requirements and application process.
Final Thought
The Bartlett Promise Scholarship offers substantial support, but eligibility alone will not secure an award. Start by confirming that you meet the requirements, choose an eligible Bartlett Master’s course and apply for admission early. The scholarship deadline is 31 March 2027, so give yourself enough time to secure a qualifying offer and complete the application carefully.
