Awards for international research applicants

University Studentships/Vice-Chancellor's Research Studentships (VCRS)

From time to time the University makes funding available to support University Studentships.

These awards are open to applicants who hold or, expect to obtain, a first or upper second class honours degree and provide for payment of fees and maintenance allowance.

Applicants should indicate in the appropriate area on their University application form that they wish to apply for a University Studentship/VCRS award.

The competition for these awards will open in late December each year.

Applications are invited from UK, European Union and overseas students.

Applicants with up to one year’s current or previous registration for PhD at any institution may be considered for an award subject to the applicant providing evidence of good academic progress, formal release from all IP restrictions and ethical approval (if required).

Three-year awards may be allocated to such applicants where they are taking-up a new project at Ulster. In cases where the applicant is continuing with a project already commenced at Ulster, the duration of the award will be reduced by the full period of any previous registration.

VCRS Terms and Conditions

Any funding opportunities will be advertised on our Funding Opportunities page as soon as they become available.

The aim of the Newton PhD Programme is to facilitate the capacity-building of individuals, and the building of sustainable, long-lasting links between UK and overseas institutions, through PhD scholarships, placements, and partnerships.

Applicants can find further information on the British Council's website.

The Newton-Bhabha PhD Placement Programme provides scholarships to support short-term PhD placements between UK and Indian institutions.

The awards are provided by the British Council and the Indian Department of Science and Technology.

Applicants can find further information on the British Council's website.

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund provides awards of £5,000 to Canadian men and women for academic and artistic study in the UK on full-time multi-year postgraduate programmes.  Applicants can find further information on the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund's website.

Some international organisations such as UNESCO and WHO operate schemes, usually for developing countries.

Details should be available from the Ministry of Education, or equivalent, in the applicant's own country.

CSC Scholarships are awarded by Chinese Scholarship Council to international students in Chinese universities affiliated with CSC.  Further information can be found on the China Scholarships Council's website.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives.  is an international scholarship programme.  In the UK it is responsible for awarding academically bright citizens of developing Commonwealth countries with funding to undertake postgraduate study at UK universities.

Commonwealth Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are offered to citizens from low and middle income Commonwealth countries.

The CSC offers:

• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states)
• Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships (for low and middle income countries)
• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
• Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for high income countries)
• Commonwealth Professional Fellowships

All applications should be made via the nominating agency in your home country. Applicants are also advised to apply for admission to Ulster using the online application process.

Fulbright Commission Awards are offered to US citizens to be used towards tuition fees and maintenance costs in their first year of a Masters or PhD study in any discipline at any UK university.

Further information can be found at the Fulbright Commission's website.

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarships are available for a full-time Masters, M.Phil or a Doctorate programme to Indian citizens who have done their first degree in India.

Further information can be found at the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation website.

The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund can offer grants/loans to Norwegian students studying abroad.  Applicants can find further information on the Lanekassen - Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund website.

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to enable them to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom.

Further information can be found at the Marshall Scholarships website.

Scholarships are available from the Regeneration Centre of Thailand to fund undergraduate and Graduate science, medical or biology students of Southeast Asian heritage across the world to help in the furthering of their education.

These annual grants help provide funds for candidates looking to acquire knowledge in the field of healthcare, science, biology, mathematics and especially for those who would not have the financial abilities to pursue such such an education.

Further information can be found at the Regeneration Centre of Thailand Scholarships website.

Fellowships are available for exceptional university graduates from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Romania and Venezuela.  The Roberto Rocca Education Programme offers fellowships to help fund studies towards PhD degrees in specific fields of study including Materials Science, Mechanical, and Petroleum Engineering (see Eligibility requirements), at a university of the student's choosing outside his or her home country.  Each year, the Programme awards around 12 to 15 new Fellowships.  Fellows are selected by the Programme's Scientific Committee comprising senior managers of the sponsoring companies.

Fellowships are awarded for a period of two years and may be used for tuition, fees and living expenses. The award amount will depend on the candidate’s financial need but in general Fellowships do not cover all expenses and candidates are encouraged to seek complementary sources of funding.  At the discretion of the Roberto Rocca Education Program, fellowships may be renewed for up to an additional two years.

Further information can be found at the Roberto Rocca Fellowships website.

Scholarships are available to Canadian citizens already accepted into or in year one or two of a full-time doctoral program. The doctoral work must relate to at least one of the Foundation’s Four Themes: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, People and their Natural Environment.

Further information can be found at the Trudeau Foundation website.