The University College London (UCL) EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award (UELA) is offering approximately 50 fully funded, four-year PhD studentships for students beginning doctoral study in October 2027.
The programme is open to both UK and international applicants and covers a broad range of research areas across engineering, mathematics and the physical sciences.
Applicants can choose from a catalogue of approximately 100 PhD research projects, providing opportunities to pursue research in areas including Energy and Decarbonisation, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Healthcare Technologies, as well as other disciplines within the EPSRC remit.
The application deadline is 8 January 2027 at 12:00 noon UK time.
UCL EPSRC PhD Studentships 2027: Key Details
The UELA studentships are designed to support doctoral researchers throughout a four-year programme, combining tuition-fee coverage with an annual stipend and additional research support.
Opportunity highlights include:
- Approximately 50 fully funded PhD studentships
- Four years of funding
- Start date: October 2027
- Tuition fees covered for four years
- Estimated stipend of £26,022 for 2027/28
- Stipend expected to increase each year
- Research Training Support Grant
- Full-time study
- Part-time study available at a minimum of 50% full-time equivalent
- Around 100 research projects available
- Opportunities involving industry collaboration
- Applications accepted from Home and International students
The Research Training Support Grant can contribute towards additional training and research-related costs, including courses, project expenses, conferences and travel.
Research Areas Available
The UELA project catalogue covers the breadth of the EPSRC research remit. This gives prospective PhD researchers the opportunity to identify projects aligned with their academic background and research interests.
Highlighted areas include:
- Energy and Decarbonisation
- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics
- Healthcare Technologies
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Other EPSRC-supported research disciplines
The catalogue contains approximately 100 projects, allowing applicants to explore multiple potential research directions before submitting their applications.
Applicants may apply for up to three projects from those available in the catalogue.
Funding and Financial Support
The UCL EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award is described as providing fully funded four-year studentships.
The studentship covers tuition fees for four years, while successful researchers will receive a stipend at the UELA enhanced rate. The estimated stipend for the 2027/28 academic year is £26,022, with the amount expected to rise in subsequent years.
Students can also receive a Research Training Support Grant to help cover eligible additional costs associated with their doctoral research and professional development.
Examples provided include:
- Specialist courses and training
- Research project costs
- Conference participation
- Research-related travel
For students studying part-time, the studentship duration and stipend are adjusted on a pro-rata basis.
International Students Can Apply
The UELA studentships are open to Home and International students. However, international applicants should note that the programme has a limited number of places available for international students.
International offers are capped at a maximum of 15 places, meaning that the majority of available studentships are expected to be allocated to Home applicants.
The programme nevertheless explicitly welcomes international applications, making it relevant to qualified prospective PhD researchers from outside the UK.
International candidates should carefully review the individual project and application requirements before applying.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The opportunity is aimed at prospective doctoral researchers whose interests and academic preparation align with projects within the EPSRC remit.
Because the project catalogue spans engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare technologies, energy and other areas, applicants should first identify projects that closely match their academic background and research interests.
Candidates should also examine the specific requirements attached to their selected projects, as individual research projects may have additional expectations.
Applicants can select up to three projects, giving them the opportunity to identify multiple suitable research options within the catalogue.
Equality and Inclusive Recruitment
UCL states that the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award is committed to equality of opportunity.
During the initial review and shortlisting stages, identifying personal details will be hidden from panels to help reduce unconscious bias.
UCL also particularly encourages applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented at this level.
This approach forms part of the programme’s wider commitment to broadening participation in doctoral research.
How to Apply for the UCL PhD Studentships
Interested applicants should begin by reviewing the UELA project catalogue and identifying up to three projects that match their academic interests and experience.
Applications must be submitted through UCL’s online application portal using the instructions provided with the official application route.
Candidates should allow sufficient time to review project requirements and prepare their application materials before the deadline.
Application deadline: 8 January 2027 at 12:00 noon UK time
Study location: London, United Kingdom
Study mode: Full time, with part-time study available at a minimum of 50% full-time equivalent
Start date: October 2027
Why This Opportunity Matters for Prospective PhD Researchers
A four-year funded doctoral studentship can provide prospective researchers with structured financial support while allowing them to develop specialist research expertise. The UELA programme also combines doctoral funding with additional support for training, conferences, travel and research activities.
With approximately 100 projects across engineering and physical sciences and opportunities spanning areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare technologies and energy, prospective applicants have multiple research directions to consider.
International applicants should pay particular attention to the programme’s 15-place cap for international offers and ensure that their selected project aligns closely with their academic profile.
For students considering doctoral study in the UK in 2027, the UCL EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award provides an opportunity to explore funded research across a wide range of technical and scientific disciplines.
