Skip to content
Find Scholarships
Find Scholarships
United Kingdom PhD Fully Funded

Brunel-CSC Joint PhD Scholarship 2027/2028: Full Funding for Chinese Students

The Brunel-CSC Joint Scholarship offers 20 full PhD scholarships for academically outstanding Chinese students to study at Brunel University of London starting October 2027 or January 2028. The award covers full tuition, living stipend, international airfare, and visa fees.

September 28, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Jan 8, 2027

Quick Overview

Host CountryUnited Kingdom
University/OrgBrunel University of London
Degree LevelPhD
Funding TypeFully Funded
Fields of StudyAll disciplines
DeadlineJanuary 8, 2027

Scholarship Overview

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

People Also Checked: University of South Wales Chancellor's International Development Scholarship 2025-2026

Overview

The Brunel-CSC Joint Scholarship Scheme is a partnership between Brunel University of London and the China Scholarship Council (CSC). It provides 20 full scholarships for Chinese nationals to pursue doctoral research across all disciplines at Brunel University of London.

This scholarship is specifically designed for citizens of the People’s Republic of China. While the program is not open to African nationals, it serves as a useful reference point for Zimbabwean and SADC region students seeking to understand how university-CSC partnerships operate, as similar bilateral arrangements may exist for other nationalities.

People Also Checked: International Postgraduate Excellence Award 2027: £3,000-£5,000 UK Master's Scholarship

What the Scholarship Covers

The scholarship provides comprehensive funding through a cost-sharing arrangement between Brunel University and CSC:

  • Brunel University provides: Full tuition fees for up to 48 months of PhD study
  • CSC provides: Monthly living stipend (including medical insurance), one round-trip economy airfare between China and the UK, and reimbursement for one-off visa application fees

This is a fully funded package with no financial contribution required from the student.

People Also Checked: King's College London Chevening Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded UK Master's and PhD (Fully Funded)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Citizen of the People’s Republic of China (overseas Chinese students may be eligible subject to CSC policy at the time)
  • Strong academic background and research potential
  • Meet Brunel’s academic and English language entry requirements for PhD admission
  • Require a UK student visa to enter and study in the UK
  • Fulfill all CSC eligibility criteria as published on csc.edu.cn/chuguo

Current Brunel PhD Students

Students already registered for a PhD at Brunel who commenced after January 2026 are also eligible. These applicants compete in open selection with all other candidates. If successful, CSC funding begins from the second year of their PhD programme.

Available Programmes

Scholarships are available in all disciplines. The full list of PhD programmes can be found through Brunel’s application portal. Research areas span engineering, business, health sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.

Application Timeline

Date Milestone
8 January 2027 Deadline for PhD applications to Brunel
End of February 2027 Brunel notifies nominated applicants
March 2027 CSC application window opens (nominated applicants apply)
Late May/Early June 2027 CSC announces final results to Brunel
October 2027 or January 2028 Scholarship commencement

How to Apply

The application process is sequential and requires two separate applications:

Step 1: Secure Brunel PhD Admission

  • Contact relevant academic departments or individual supervisors at Brunel to identify research alignment
  • Find staff research profiles at brunel.ac.uk/people
  • Submit online PhD application via brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/How-to-apply before 8 January 2027
  • In the application, select ‘Funded’ under Fees and Funding, then choose ‘China Scholarship Council (CSC)’
  • Include your potential supervisor’s name in the application

Step 2: CSC Application (After Nomination)

  • Brunel selects nominees by end of February 2027 and issues offer letters
  • Nominated applicants submit this offer letter with their CSC application during the March 2027 window
  • Monitor csc.edu.cn/chuguo for exact dates and requirements

For Current First-Year PhD Students

Submit to internationalsponsorship@brunel.ac.uk before 8 January 2027:

  • Personal statement (maximum 750 words) outlining research subject and supervisor name
  • Supervisor’s letter of recommendation confirming successful nine-month progress review

Contact Information

For all enquiries: internationalsponsorship@brunel.ac.uk

Official information last updated: 21 September 2026

Related scholarships

Official scholarship page: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/scholarships/brunel-university-of-london-and-the-china-scholarship-council-phd-scholarship

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Full tuition fees for up to 48 months; living stipend including medical insurance; one round-trip economy airfare China-UK; visa application fee reimbursement

Eligibility Criteria

Citizens of the People's Republic of China with strong academic background; must meet Brunel PhD entry requirements and CSC criteria; current first-year Brunel PhD students who started after January 2026 also eligible

Required Documents

PhD application through Brunel portal with CSC funding selection; for current students: 750-word personal statement and supervisor recommendation letter with nine-month progress review confirmation; CSC application with Brunel offer letter

Application Process

1) Contact supervisor and apply for Brunel PhD admission by 8 January 2027, selecting CSC funding option; 2) Brunel nominates successful candidates by end of February 2027; 3) Nominated applicants apply to CSC in March 2027 with Brunel offer letter; 4) CSC announces results late May/early June 2027; 5) Begin studies October 2027 or January 2028
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. This scholarship is exclusively for citizens of the People's Republic of China. Overseas Chinese students may be eligible depending on CSC policy at the time of application. African students should explore other CSC partnerships or direct CSC scholarships for their countries.
The deadline for PhD applications to Brunel University is 8 January 2027 at 12:00 AM (midnight). Early applications are strongly recommended. The CSC application window for nominated candidates typically opens in March 2027.
Yes. You must identify and contact a potential supervisor at Brunel before submitting your PhD application. Include their name in your online application. You can find academic staff and their research expertise at brunel.ac.uk/people.
With only 20 scholarships available and competition nationwide in China, selection is highly competitive. Success requires an outstanding academic record, strong research proposal, supervisor support, and alignment with both Brunel and CSC eligibility criteria. Current first-year Brunel PhD students compete in the same pool but may have an advantage through established academic relationships.
After Brunel nominates you and issues an offer letter (by end of February 2027), you must submit this offer letter with your CSC application during the March 2027 window. Exact CSC document requirements are published on csc.edu.cn/chuguo and typically include academic transcripts, research proposal, language certificates, and reference letters.
Scholarship recipients must commence studies in either October 2027 or January 2028. These are the only entry points funded under this scheme. The 48-month funding period is calculated from your official start date.

Related Scholarships