Overview
The Bartlett Promise Scholarship is a flagship, long-term initiative led by The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London (UCL). The programme is designed to address persistent underrepresentation and lack of diversity within higher education and the built environment professions. By removing financial and structural barriers, the scholarship seeks to ensure that academic potential, rather than personal circumstance, determines access to education and career opportunity.
The Bartlett Promise reflects a clear institutional commitment to widening participation and building a more inclusive future for the built environment sector.
Purpose and Vision
At its core, The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to attract and support talented students from a broad range of backgrounds who may otherwise be excluded from higher education due to financial constraints. The initiative recognises that diversifying the student body is a critical step toward diversifying the professions shaping cities, infrastructure, and the built environment globally.
The programme is guided by two central goals:
- To provide access to university education regardless of financial means
- To diversify the built environment disciplines by supporting underrepresented students
Through sustained investment and tailored support, The Bartlett Promise positions itself as a transformative intervention rather than a one-off funding mechanism.
What the Scholarship Offers
Recipients of The Bartlett Promise Scholarship receive comprehensive financial and pastoral support for the full duration of their degree programme. The award goes beyond tuition assistance, recognising that student success depends on broader stability and guidance.
The scholarship package includes:
- Full coverage of tuition fees
- Support for living and study-related costs
- Ongoing mentoring throughout the programme
- Personal and academic support
- Careers advice tailored to the built environment sector
This holistic approach ensures that scholars are supported not only academically, but also professionally and personally as they progress through their studies.
Commitment to Equity and Representation
The Bartlett Promise represents a public and long-term commitment by the Faculty to challenge systemic inequalities within higher education and the built environment industry. Faculty leadership has emphasised that the scholarship is a promise to future generations of scholars, signalling sustained institutional responsibility rather than short-term intervention.
The initiative continues to grow in scope and impact, attracting high-performing students who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas that enrich the academic community and strengthen the discipline as a whole.
Scholarship Pathways
The Bartlett Promise Scholarship is structured across multiple academic levels and regions, ensuring targeted support for different student groups. Each scholarship pathway has specific eligibility criteria and application processes.
UK Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship is open to students who:
- Are domiciled in the United Kingdom
- Hold home fee status
- Are pursuing an undergraduate degree at The Bartlett
The award supports students throughout their undergraduate studies, enabling access to leading built environment education without financial burden.
UK Master’s Scholarship
The UK Master’s pathway is available to:
- UK-domiciled students with home fee status
- Applicants admitted to a Bartlett master’s programme
This scholarship supports postgraduate students seeking to deepen their expertise and professional readiness in built environment disciplines.
Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship
This pathway is specifically designed for:
- Nationals of Sub-Saharan African countries
- Applicants pursuing a master’s degree at The Bartlett
The scholarship reflects The Bartlett’s global outlook and commitment to international inclusion, supporting talented students from regions historically underrepresented in global higher education.
UK PhD Scholarship
The doctoral scholarship is available to:
- UK-domiciled students with home fee status
- Applicants pursuing a PhD within The Bartlett Faculty
This pathway supports the development of future researchers, academics, and thought leaders in the built environment.
Long-Term Impact
By investing in students at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, The Bartlett Promise creates a pipeline of diverse talent equipped to influence research, policy, design, and practice. The scholarship contributes directly to reshaping who studies, teaches, and leads within the built environment sector.
Recipients of the scholarship become part of a growing community of scholars whose academic excellence and lived experience enhance teaching, research, and innovation across the Faculty.
Student Engagement and Ongoing Support
Scholars supported by The Bartlett Promise benefit from a strong sense of belonging within the Faculty. Dedicated support structures ensure that recipients are able to navigate academic life, access professional opportunities, and plan for careers aligned with their ambitions and values.
The scholarship team remains engaged throughout each scholar’s academic journey, offering guidance and continuity from admission through graduation.
Staying Informed and Contact Details
Prospective applicants and interested parties are encouraged to stay informed about The Bartlett Promise through official updates and communications. Queries regarding eligibility, application processes, or scholarship pathways can be directed to the dedicated Bartlett Promise team.
The programme reflects UCL’s broader commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, positioning The Bartlett as a leader in addressing structural barriers within higher education and the built environment disciplines.