Sainsbury Wellcome Scholarship is the PhD studentship programme run by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre that provides full funding, tuition coverage and a tax-free stipend for doctoral candidates. The Sainsbury Wellcome Scholarship supports applicants with relevant undergraduate backgrounds and research interests in neuroscience and related quantitative fields.
The scholarship is administered by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre in partnership with UCL; successful candidates must meet UCL’s standard admissions and English language requirements. Applications for the September 2027 PhD intake are open via the SWC application portal, with contact available by email for further questions.
Sainsbury Wellcome Scholarship Benefits
- Full funding is available to all students, regardless of nationality.
- Our PhD studentships cover UCL tuition fees for both home and international students and include an annual tax-free stipend of £30,839, as well as a travel budget for attending conferences and workshops.
- We also welcome applications from students who already have secured outside funding or who are currently applying for other scholarships/studentships.
Sainsbury Wellcome Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- We welcome candidates with a keen interest in neuroscience combined with an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as Neuroscience or other life sciences, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science.
- Please note that candidates offered a place on the SWC PhD programme will be required to meet UCL’s standard admissions requirements (including the English language requirements for international applicants).
- As part of your application, you will be asked to provide details of your academic qualifications, research experience, research interests, and supervisor preferences.
- You may also upload a CV and indicate whether you wish to be considered for the Joint SWC-GCNU PhD Programme.
How to Apply for Sainsbury Wellcome Scholarship
- Applications for the September 2027 PhD intake are now open via our application portal.
- The deadline for applications is 17:00 GMT on 9 November 2026.
- As part of your application, you will be asked to provide details of your academic qualifications, research experience, research interests, and supervisor preferences.
- You may also upload a CV and indicate whether you wish to be considered for the Joint SWC-GCNU PhD Programme.
- If you have any further questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Sainsbury Wellcome Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, application steps, and contact details based on the official programme information.
What is the Sainsbury Wellcome Scholarship?
The Sainsbury Wellcome Scholarship is the PhD studentship programme administered by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre. It provides full funding for PhD study, covering UCL tuition fees for both home and international students, and includes an annual tax-free stipend and a travel budget for conferences and workshops.
Who is eligible to apply for the PhD studentship?
Candidates with a keen interest in neuroscience and an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as Neuroscience, other life sciences, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science are welcome to apply. Successful applicants must also meet UCL’s standard admissions and English language requirements.
What does the studentship fund cover?
The studentship covers UCL tuition fees for both home and international students, provides an annual tax-free stipend of £30,839, and includes a travel budget to attend conferences and workshops. The programme also accepts applicants who have external funding or are applying for other studentships.
How do I apply for the Sainsbury Wellcome PhD programme?
Applications are submitted via the SWC application portal at https://apply.sainsburywellcome.org/. The portal is used for the September 2027 PhD intake and requires applicants to provide academic qualifications, research experience, research interests, supervisor preferences, and allows uploading a CV.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for applications is 17:00 GMT on 9 November 2026. Applicants should ensure their full application, including required documents, is submitted via the application portal before this date and time.
Can international students apply and receive funding?
Yes. Full funding is available to all students regardless of nationality. The studentship covers UCL tuition fees for international students and includes the annual stipend and travel budget. International applicants must also meet UCL’s English language requirements.
What materials are required in the application?
As part of the application you will be asked to provide details of academic qualifications, research experience, research interests, supervisor preferences, and you may upload a CV. The application portal provides the fields to enter these details and to indicate interest in the Joint SWC-GCNU PhD Programme.
Are applicants with external funding eligible to apply?
Yes. The programme welcomes applications from students who already have secured outside funding or who are currently applying for other scholarships or studentships. Such applicants may still be considered for places on the PhD programme.
Who can I contact for further questions about the programme?
For further questions about the PhD programme or application process, contact the programme team at [email protected]. This contact is provided on the official programme page for enquiries.
Do successful applicants need to meet any additional requirements?
Yes. Candidates offered a place on the SWC PhD programme are required to meet UCL’s standard admissions requirements, including English language requirements for international applicants. Details of UCL’s admissions and English requirements are linked from the programme page.
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