Brunel University of London and China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarships 2027/2028: Fully Funded PhD in the UK
Are you a Chinese student looking to pursue a fully funded PhD in the United Kingdom? Brunel University of London, in partnership with the China Scholarship Council (CSC), is offering 20 fully funded PhD scholarships for the 2027/2028 academic year.
The Brunel University of London and China Scholarship Council Joint Scholarship Scheme provides an opportunity for academically outstanding Chinese students to undertake doctoral research across a wide range of disciplines. Successful applicants can receive full tuition fee coverage, a living allowance, medical insurance, international return airfare and reimbursement for eligible visa application fees.
The scholarships support PhD studies commencing in October 2027 or January 2028, with funding available for up to 48 months.
Scholarship Overview
- Scholarship name: Brunel University of London and China Scholarship Council Joint PhD Scholarship
- Host institution: Brunel University of London
- Study destination: United Kingdom
- Study level: PhD / Doctoral Research
- Academic year: 2027–2028
- Number of scholarships: 20
- Eligible applicants: Citizens of the People’s Republic of China, subject to the stated eligibility criteria
- Duration: Up to 48 months
- Funding type: Fully funded
- Application deadline: 8 January 2027 at 12 noon
- Expected start dates: October 2027 or January 2028
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship combines funding from Brunel University of London and the China Scholarship Council.
1. Full tuition fees
Brunel University of London will cover the successful candidates’ tuition fees for up to 48 months, subject to the scholarship conditions.
2. Living allowance
The China Scholarship Council will provide a stipend to help recipients meet their living expenses in the UK.
3. Medical insurance
The CSC funding package includes medical insurance, as specified in the scholarship announcement.
4. International return airfare
Successful candidates will receive funding for one economy-class international return flight between China and the United Kingdom.
5. Visa application fee reimbursement
The CSC will reimburse eligible recipients for one-off visa application fees, according to the scheme’s terms.
Together, these benefits are designed to support eligible Chinese doctoral researchers throughout their funded studies.
Available PhD Programmes
The scholarships are available across all disciplines offered through eligible PhD programmes at Brunel University of London.
Applicants should explore Brunel’s doctoral research opportunities and identify a programme that matches their academic background and research interests.
Browse available courses here:
Prospective applicants are encouraged to identify a suitable academic supervisor before submitting their PhD application.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Brunel University of London and China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarships, applicants must meet the following requirements.
- Be a citizen of the People’s Republic of China. Overseas Chinese students may be eligible, subject to CSC policy at the time of application.
- Have a strong academic background.
- Meet Brunel University’s academic admission requirements for the chosen PhD programme.
- Meet the university’s English language requirements.
- Satisfy the China Scholarship Council’s eligibility criteria.
- Meet the relevant UK visa requirements for international study.
Current Brunel PhD students may also be eligible. Students who commenced their PhD after January 2026 can apply under the scheme. If successful, their CSC scholarship funding will begin at the start of their second year. These applicants must also submit the additional documents specified by Brunel.
How to Apply for the Brunel-CSC PhD Scholarship
Applicants must first apply for admission to an eligible PhD programme at Brunel University of London and receive an offer before applying to the China Scholarship Council.
Follow these steps to prepare your application.
Step 1: Identify a PhD Supervisor
Contact the relevant academic department or a potential supervisor at Brunel University of London. Discuss your proposed research and identify a supervisor whose expertise aligns with your research interests.
Search for academic staff here:
Step 2: Apply for PhD Admission
Submit your online PhD application through Brunel University’s research degree application process.
Deadline: Friday, 8 January 2027.
Early applications are strongly recommended to allow sufficient time for admission assessment and supervisor engagement.
*Step 3: Select the Correct Funding Option
When completing the online application, indicate that you intend to apply for the BUL/CSC Joint Scholarship Scheme.
In the Fees and Funding section:
- Select “Funded”.
- Choose “China Scholarship Council (CSC)” as the funding option.
- Include the name of your potential supervisor in the application.
Ensure that the correct funding scheme is selected before submitting your application.
Step 4: Follow the Additional Requirements for Current Students
Current first-year PhD students at Brunel must submit a personal statement of no more than 750 words outlining their research subject and supervisor’s name.
They must also provide a recommendation letter from their supervisor confirming successful completion of the nine-month progress review.
These documents must be sent to:
internationalsponsorship@brunel.ac.uk
Step 5: Await Brunel’s Nomination Decision
Brunel expects to select applicants for nomination to the China Scholarship Council by the end of February 2027.
Successful nominees will receive a Brunel offer letter, which they must submit as part of their CSC application.
Step 6: Apply to the China Scholarship Council
Applicants nominated by Brunel must subsequently apply directly to the CSC during its application window, expected to fall in March 2027.
Consult the CSC website for the applicable procedures and deadlines.
Step 7: Await the Final Scholarship Outcome
Brunel expects to receive the list of successful scholarship recipients from the CSC in late May or early June 2027.
Successful candidates are expected to begin their doctoral studies in October 2027 or January 2028.
Important Application Dates
| Application stage | Expected date |
|---|---|
| Brunel PhD application deadline | 8 January 2027, 12 noon |
| Brunel nomination decisions | By the end of February 2027 |
| Expected CSC application window | March 2027 |
| Expected final scholarship results | Late May or early June 2027 |
| PhD commencement | October 2027 or January 2028 |
Applicants should verify the relevant dates and any subsequent updates directly with Brunel University of London and the China Scholarship Council.
Why Consider Studying at Brunel University of London?
A doctoral degree offers an opportunity to develop advanced research expertise, contribute to academic knowledge and build specialist skills relevant to professional and research careers.
Through this joint scholarship scheme, eligible Chinese researchers can undertake PhD studies at Brunel while receiving financial support from two institutions.
The programme’s availability across disciplines also allows prospective researchers to explore a range of academic interests, provided their proposed course meets the university’s admission and scholarship requirements.
Apply Now
The Brunel University of London and China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship Scheme offers 20 fully funded doctoral opportunities for eligible Chinese students planning to begin their research in 2027 or early 2028.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, identify a suitable supervisor and prepare your PhD application well before the deadline.
Application deadline: 8 January 2027 at 12 noon.
Start your application through Brunel University’s official research degree application portal:
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes. Scholarship eligibility, funding arrangements and application deadlines are subject to the official terms published by Brunel University of London and the China Scholarship Council.
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