Brunel University of London and China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship 2027/28 | Fully Funded PhD in the UK

The Brunel University of London and China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD Scholarship 2027/28 offers academically outstanding Chinese students an opportunity to pursue a fully funded PhD at Brunel University of London in the United Kingdom.

For the 2027/28 intake, 20 full scholarships are available for PhD studies commencing in October 2027 or January 2028. The scholarships are jointly supported by Brunel University of London and the China Scholarship Council.

The funding package includes full tuition fees for up to 48 months, a living-cost stipend including medical insurance, one international round-trip economy-class airfare between China and the UK, and reimbursement of one-off visa application fees.

About the Brunel University and CSC PhD Scholarship

The scholarship programme is designed to provide academically strong Chinese students with the opportunity to undertake doctoral research at Brunel University of London.

The 2027/28 programme offers:

• 20 full PhD scholarships
• Study at Brunel University of London
• Scholarships available across all disciplines
• PhD programmes commencing in October 2027 or January 2028
• Up to 48 months of tuition fee coverage
• Living-cost stipend from CSC
• Medical insurance
• International return airfare between China and the UK
• Reimbursement of one-off visa application fees

The available PhD programmes can be explored through Brunel University’s programme listings.

Scholarship Benefits

Full Tuition Fee Coverage

Brunel University of London will provide full tuition fee funding for up to 48 months for each successful scholarship recipient.

Living-Cost Stipend

The China Scholarship Council will provide a stipend to support living costs during the scholarship period.

The stipend also includes medical insurance.

International Airfare

Each scholarship recipient will receive funding for one international round-trip economy-class airfare between China and the UK.

Visa Application Fee

CSC will reimburse the successful recipient for one-off visa application fees.

PhD Study Duration

The scholarship can support PhD studies for up to 48 months.

Successful applicants are expected to commence their doctoral studies in either:

• October 2027, or
• January 2028

Available Fields of Study

The scholarships are available for PhD studies across all disciplines at Brunel University of London.

Applicants should explore Brunel’s available research degree programmes and identify a PhD programme that matches their academic background and proposed research interests.

Who Can Apply?

The Brunel University and CSC PhD Scholarship is specifically intended for eligible Chinese students.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of the People’s Republic of China.
• Overseas Chinese students may be eligible depending on CSC policy applicable at the time of application.
• Have a strong academic background.
• Meet Brunel University’s academic entry requirements.
• Meet Brunel University’s English language entry requirements.
• Meet the relevant requirements of the China Scholarship Council.
• Obtain the necessary UK visa to enter and study in the UK.

Applicants should also carefully review the CSC’s own eligibility criteria because meeting Brunel University’s requirements alone does not guarantee eligibility for CSC funding.

Current Brunel PhD Students

Current first-year PhD students at Brunel University of London may also be eligible under specific conditions.

Students who started their PhD after January 2026 can apply and will be considered by CSC in open competition alongside other applicants.

If successful, their CSC scholarship funding will begin from the second year of their PhD.

Current first-year PhD students have additional application requirements, including a short personal statement of no more than 750 words explaining their research topic and supervisor, as well as a recommendation letter from their supervisor confirming that they have successfully passed the nine-month progress review.

These materials must be submitted before the deadline to:

internationalsponsorship@brunel.ac.uk

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Brunel University of London application is:

8 January 2027 at 12:00 AM

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early rather than waiting until the deadline.

How to Apply

The application process involves two main stages: first applying to Brunel University of London and then, if nominated, applying to the China Scholarship Council.

Step 1: Identify a Suitable Supervisor

Applicants should contact the relevant Brunel University department or academic staff member to identify a suitable PhD supervisor.

Potential supervisors and their research expertise can be explored through Brunel University’s staff directory.

Applicants should establish that their proposed research aligns with the expertise of the prospective supervisor.

Step 2: Apply for PhD Admission to Brunel

Applicants must apply online for admission to a Brunel PhD programme before 8 January 2027.

Brunel University assesses applications received by the deadline before selecting candidates for nomination to CSC.

Early application is strongly recommended.

Step 3: Select the Correct Funding Option

When completing the Brunel online application, applicants must indicate that they intend to apply for the:

BUL/CSC Joint Scholarship Scheme

In the Fees and Funding section of the application, applicants should:

1. Select Funded.
2. Select China Scholarship Council (CSC) as the funding option.
3. Include the name of their potential supervisor.

This is an important part of the application process.

Step 4: Brunel Reviews Applications

Brunel University will assess applications submitted by the January deadline.

The university expects to select applicants for nomination to CSC by the end of February 2027.

Successful nominees will receive a Brunel offer letter.

Step 5: Apply to CSC

After being nominated by Brunel, successful applicants must apply directly to the China Scholarship Council during its application window.

The CSC application period is expected to take place in March 2027.

Applicants should check the official CSC website for the confirmed application dates and requirements.

Step 6: CSC Selection

Brunel expects to receive the final list of successful CSC scholarship recipients in late May or early June 2027.

Successful applicants will then proceed toward their PhD studies at Brunel.

Application Timeline

Stage	Expected Date
Brunel application deadline	8 January 2027
Brunel selects CSC nominees	End of February 2027
CSC application period	Expected March 2027
CSC results received by Brunel	Late May/Early June 2027
PhD commencement	October 2027 or January 2028

Application Documents and Preparation

Applicants should prepare their PhD application carefully and ensure that their proposed research is appropriate for their selected programme and prospective supervisor.

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, preparation may include:

• Academic qualifications
• Evidence of English language proficiency
• Research proposal and related application materials
• Curriculum vitae
• Details of proposed research
• Potential supervisor information
• Brunel PhD application
• CSC scholarship application

Applicants should follow Brunel University’s specific research degree application requirements and the CSC’s requirements separately.

Important Information for Current Brunel PhD Students

Current first-year Brunel PhD students who started after January 2026 have a separate requirement.

They must submit:

• A personal statement of no more than 750 words
• A description of their research subject
• The name of their supervisor
• A recommendation letter from their supervisor
• Confirmation that they successfully passed the nine-month progress review

These materials should be sent to:

internationalsponsorship@brunel.ac.uk

before the application deadline.

Why Apply for This Scholarship?

The Brunel University and CSC partnership provides successful candidates with substantial financial support for doctoral study in the UK.

The combined funding package covers major study-related costs, including:

• Tuition fees
• Living expenses
• Medical insurance
• International travel
• One-off visa application fees

The scholarship also provides an opportunity to undertake doctoral research at Brunel University of London across a wide range of disciplines.

Important Considerations

Admission Comes Before the CSC Application

Applicants must first apply to Brunel and receive an offer before applying to CSC.

Therefore, prospective applicants should begin the Brunel admission process well ahead of the January deadline.

Scholarship Selection Is Separate

Receiving a Brunel offer does not automatically mean that an applicant will receive CSC funding.

Brunel first selects applicants for nomination, after which nominated candidates submit their applications directly to CSC.

Check Both Sets of Requirements

Applicants must satisfy both:

• Brunel University’s PhD admission requirements, and
• China Scholarship Council eligibility requirements.

Start Early

Because applicants need to identify a supervisor, prepare a PhD application and subsequently apply to CSC if nominated, early preparation is strongly recommended.

Conclusion

The Brunel University of London and China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship 2027/28 provides 20 fully funded PhD opportunities for eligible Chinese students seeking doctoral study in the United Kingdom.

Successful candidates can receive full tuition fee coverage for up to 48 months, a CSC living-cost stipend including medical insurance, an international round-trip economy-class flight between China and the UK, and reimbursement of one-off visa application fees.

The scholarship is open across Brunel’s PhD disciplines, with studies expected to begin in October 2027 or January 2028.

Applicants must first apply to Brunel University and obtain an offer before proceeding to the CSC application stage. The Brunel application deadline is 8 January 2027, so prospective applicants should begin identifying suitable supervisors and preparing their applications early.

Discover more opportunities on the OFY Webpage.