Access Opportunity Scholarship at University College London

Overview

Important clarification: The UCL Access Opportunity Scholarship is not a general international scholarship. It is specifically designed for asylum seekers, children of asylum seekers, and forced migrants who are already in the UK with a temporary immigration status and are unable to access UK student finance. A Nepali student applying from Nepal on a standard student visa is not eligible for this scholarship.

If you are a Nepali student looking for UCL scholarship opportunities, the relevant award is the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship — described below.

UCL Access Opportunity Scholarship — What It Actually Is

University College London (UCL) offers two Access Opportunity Scholarships annually to support students in the UK who, due to their immigration status, cannot secure student loans for higher education. Recipients receive full tuition fees and a living allowance of £13,762 per year for the duration of their undergraduate degree.

UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship — Relevant for Nepali Students

UCL also offers the Global Undergraduate Scholarship for overseas students based on financial need — this is the scholarship Nepali students should research. It offers:

• 10 awards covering full tuition fees and a maintenance allowance
• 23 awards covering full tuition fees only
• Available to any overseas applicant from any country including Nepal
• Based on financial need — household income considered
• Deadline: 27 April 2026 for the 2026/27 academic year

Eligibility

UCL Access Opportunity Scholarship — Eligibility

This scholarship is only for:

• Asylum seekers, children of asylum seekers, or unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who are seeking asylum in the UK
• Forced migrants based in the UK who have been granted a temporary form of leave as a result of an asylum or human rights application (e.g. limited leave to remain, discretionary leave to remain, humanitarian protection)
• Unable to access UK student finance (tuition fee or maintenance loan) because of their immigration status
• Hold an offer of admission to a full-time UCL undergraduate degree

Nepali students applying from Nepal on a standard student visa are not eligible for this scholarship.

UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship — Eligibility

• From any country outside the UK — Nepal qualifies
• Eligible to pay the overseas fee rate
• Demonstrates financial need — household income considered (UCL guideline is £42,875 or below, but higher incomes are also considered)
• Has submitted an admission application for a full-time undergraduate degree at UCL for 2026/27

How to Apply

UCL Access Opportunity Scholarship

Download the application form from the UCL scholarships page. Complete and email the form along with supporting documentation to studentfunding@ucl.ac.uk by 18 May 2026. Successful candidates are informed by August 2026.

UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship (Recommended for Nepali Students)

1. Apply for admission — submit a complete admission application for a full-time undergraduate degree at UCL for 2026/27.
2. Apply for the scholarship — complete the scholarship application through the UCL scholarships portal by 27 April 2026 at 5pm BST.
3. Provide financial documentation — evidence of household income will be required as part of the financial need assessment.
4. Await notification — UCL reviews applications and notifies successful candidates in due course.

Both scholarships are administered by UCL Student Funding. For queries visit: ucl.ac.uk/scholarships.