The Bseisu UCL Scholarship offers a £63,300 award for one full-time Master’s student from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, or Syria to study at UCL in 2025/26. Covering both tuition and maintenance, it supports two programmes: MSc Sustainable Chemistry and MSc Advanced Materials Science (Sustainability). Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and refugee or domiciled status in the four countries. Deadline: 5 pm BST, Thursday 8 May 2025. In this guide, you’ll find eligibility details, application tips, UCL’s global standing, refugee higher-education context, and precise steps to maximize your chances.
What Is the Bseisu UCL Scholarship?
The Bseisu UCL Scholarship is a partnership between University College London and the Amjad and Suha Bseisu Foundation, designed to empower refugee and locally domiciled students from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, or Syria to pursue a one-year Master’s at UCL.
This fully funded award of £63,300 covers tuition fees and living costs, easing financial burdens for talented students in Sustainable Chemistry and Advanced Materials Science (Sustainability) programmes.
The scholarship is tenable only for the 2025/26 academic year and has a single award available.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the Bseisu UCL Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a refugee from, or domiciled in, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, or Syria.
- Demonstrate financial need—unable to afford UK study without this award.
- Hold an application for a full-time, one-year Master’s at UCL in either:
- MSc Sustainable Chemistry
- MSc Advanced Materials Science (Sustainability)
Eligibility & Scope for Bseisu UCL Scholarship
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Refugees or domiciled in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria |
| Programmes | MSc Sustainable Chemistry; MSc Advanced Materials Science (Sustainability) |
| Fee Status | Overseas |
| Study Mode | Full-time, on-campus, one year |
| Awards Available | 1 |
| Application Deadline | 5 pm BST, Thursday 8 May 2025 |
Scholarship Benefits & Breakdown
The £63,300 Bseisu UCL Scholarship is allocated as follows:
- Tuition Fees: Covered in full.
- Maintenance: Remainder disbursed in three equal instalments over the academic year.
- Duration: One year, matching the length of the eligible programmes.
Detailed Benefits Table
| Benefit | What’s Included |
|---|---|
| Total Value | £63,300 for 2025/26 |
| Tuition Coverage | 100% of programme fees |
| Maintenance | Funds paid in three instalments to cover living expenses |
| Instalment Dates | October, January, April 2026 |
| Obligations | Report any additional funding to UCL Student Funding Office |
Why Choose UCL?
UCL’s Global Reputation
- Ranked 9th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, showcasing its academic excellence.
- #1 worldwide for Education, and Architecture & the Built Environment in QS by Subject 2025—evidence of UCL’s strength in related STEM fields.
Awarded Times & Sunday Times University of the Year 2024, underlining its overall leadership and innovation.
Cutting-Edge Research & Facilities
- UCL Institute for Materials Discovery offers state-of-the-art labs and industry partnerships for sustainability research.
- Collaborative environment with access to central London’s scientific community and major research libraries.
Support for Refugee Scholars
- UCL’s Student Funding Office provides dedicated pastoral support and guidance through arrival, enrolment, and study.
- Access to undergraduate mentoring programmes and cross-campus clubs to foster a sense of belonging.
How to Apply for Bseisu UCL Scholarship
Prepare Your Documents:
- Valid refugee status documentation or proof of domiciled status.
- Academic transcripts and English proficiency test results.
- Two academic references and a personal statement outlining financial need and career goals.
Submit UCL Admission Application:
Apply for your chosen MSc programme by the standard UCL deadline for 2025/26 entry.
Access the International Master’s Awards Page:
Visit UCL’s International Master’s Awards portal for the Bseisu UCL Scholarship guidelines and application link.
Complete Scholarship Application:
Fill in the online scholarship form, upload documents, and articulate your motivation clearly.
Meeting the Deadline:
Ensure your complete application is submitted by 5 pm BST on Thursday, 8 May 2025.
Notification of Results:
Successful candidates will be informed by late June 2025.
APPLY NOW
Enhancing Your Application: Tips & Insights
Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement
- Tell Your Story: Share how being a refugee has shaped your academic ambitions.
- Highlight Impact: Explain how your studies in sustainable chemistry or materials science will benefit your home community.
- Be Specific: Reference UCL’s resources (e.g., UCL IMD labs) and how you’ll leverage them.
Reference Letters That Stand Out
- Academic Focus: Ask referees to discuss your research potential and problem-solving skills.
- Character Endorsement: Include one referee who can attest to your resilience and leadership as a student.
Financial Need Documentation
- Clarity: Provide clear evidence of inability to self-fund (e.g., sponsorship refusals).
- Context: Briefly describe economic circumstances in your host country.
Refugee Higher-Education Landscape
To appreciate the importance of the Bseisu UCL Scholarship, consider these global facts:
- Only 7% of refugees access higher education, up from 1% in 2019; the UNHCR’s target is 15% by 2030.
- Approximately 31.6 million refugees globally; nearly half of school-age children are out of school.
Global Refugee Education Table
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total refugees (UNHCR) | 31.6 million |
| Refugee children of school age | 14.8 million |
| Access to higher education (2022 data) | 7% |
| UNHCR 15by30 target (2030) | 15% enrolment |
| Host countries leading refugee numbers | Turkey (3.6 M), Lebanon (0.79 M), Jordan (0.76 M) |
Next Steps & Key Dates
- UCL Programme Application Deadline: As per UCL postgraduate deadlines (check UCL website).
- Scholarship Deadline: 5 pm BST, 8 May 2025.
- Results Notification: Late June 2025.
Stay engaged: bookmark your application portal, set calendar alerts, and prepare documents early.
The BSEISU UCL Scholarship is life-changing—covering full costs and opening doors at a top-10 global university. Don’t miss out! Begin your application now, stay focused, and let your passion for sustainable solutions shine through.
Good luck, and we look forward to welcoming you to UCL!
