PhD Bursary - worth up to £2,000

For PhD programmes starting in 2026/27

The University of West London is pleased to offer a PhD Bursary that provides a £500 reduction in tuition fees for each academic year of your study on the University’s PhD Programme, subject to the terms and conditions set out below. The maximum duration and award of the PhD Bursary shall align with the length of your PhD Programme, as set out below.

The PhD Bursary is intended to support eligible PhD students (UK home or international) who have successfully completed a degree (undergraduate or taught postgraduate) at the University, during their doctoral studies at the University.

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Terms and conditions

1. Eligibility Criteria

1.1 The PhD Bursary is available to PhD students who have successfully completed a degree (undergraduate or taught postgraduate) at the University and are enrolled on a full-time PhD Programme at the University in 2026/2027. All applicants must:

(a) have successfully completed a degree (undergraduate or taught postgraduate) at the University;

(b) be and remain enrolled on a full-time PhD Programme;

(c) not be in receipt of any other University bursary, scholarship, fee waiver or discount (excluding hardship funds) during your studies on the PhD Programme;

(d) have no outstanding debt owed to the University at the time the PhD Bursary is applied for and throughout your period of study of the PhD Programme;

(e) meet the admission and academic requirements of the University;

(f) remain in good academic standing, including academic progression, throughout your period of study;

(g) demonstrate good studentship throughout your period of study;

(h) comply with the University’s policies, regulations and codes of conduct; and

(i) not be subject to disciplinary or misconduct investigation, sanction or finding under the University’s policies or regulations.

1.2 Eligibility for the PhD Bursary is determined by the University at its sole discretion.

1.3 The award and availability of the PhD Bursary are at the sole discretion of the University. The University reserves the right to withdraw the PhD Bursary scheme at any time.

1.4 The PhD Bursary will be applied automatically to all eligible PhD students for their first year of study on the University’s PhD Programme. Thereafter, the University will reassess your eligibility for the PhD Bursary for each year of your studies (subject to the maximum duration (set out below) for your PhD Bursary award), provided that you continue to satisfy the Eligibility Criteria.

1.5 You are required to promptly notify the University of any changes that may affect your eligibility for the PhD Bursary. Failure to notify the University of any change that may affect your PhD Bursary eligibility may result in the withdrawal of your PhD Bursary, and the recovery of any tuition fee reductions already made.

2 Other Conditions

2.1 The following additional conditions apply to the award of the PhD Bursary:

(a) The PhD Bursary will only be awarded to one programme of study.

(b) If you are in receipt of the PhD Bursary, you are not entitled to receive any other University bursary, scholarship, fee waiver or discount (excluding hardship funds) during your studies on the PhD Programme.

(c) The PhD Bursary will not be available during any repeat / retake year(s) or repeat or retake period of study.

(d) For eligible students enrolled on a four-year PhD Programme, the maximum duration of your PhD Bursary is four (4) academic years.

(e) For eligible students enrolled on a three-year PhD Programme, the maximum duration of your PhD Bursary is three (3) academic years.

(f) The PhD Bursary may be withdrawn if you are found to have:

i. committed academic or non-academic misconduct; or

ii. omitted key information or have provided untrue, inaccurate, incomplete or fraudulent information on your application form or thereafter or in any additional information provided to the University and used in the determination of the award of your PhD Bursary or relating to your study on the PhD Programme;

(g) Where you interrupt or defer your studies on your PhD Programme, your PhD Bursary may be suspended during the interruption period, provided that you complete your PhD Programme in the permitted timescales.

(h) If you withdraw or suspend or are withdrawn or suspended from the PhD Programme, you may become liable for repayment of any PhD Bursary applied to your tuition fees.

(i) The PhD Bursary will come to an end at the earliest of:

i. completion of your PhD Programme (subject to the maximum award duration (set out above) of your PhD Bursary);

ii. withdrawal from the PhD Programme;

iii. termination of your enrolment on the PhD Programme;

iv. reaching the maximum award period (as set out above) for the PhD Bursary; or

v. you change your mode of study to part-time.

3 Tuition Fee Reduction

3.1 Subject to meeting the Eligibility Criteria (set out above) for the PhD Bursary throughout your period of study, the PhD Bursary is applied as a reduction to tuition fees, with a £500 tuition fee reduction in your first year of study and for each subsequent year of study on the PhD Programme, for up to the maximum award period set out above. No cash award or alternative is paid to eligible students.

3.2 The total maximum value of your PhD Bursary is fixed according to the duration of your PhD Programme, as follows:

(a) for eligible students enrolled on a three-year PhD Programme, the maximum total PhD Bursary is £1500, deducted from your tuition fees; and

(b) for eligible students enrolled on a four-year PhD Programme, the maximum total PhD Bursary is £2000, deducted from your tuition fees.

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