The Denys Holland Scholarship at University College London
The Denys Holland Scholarship is one of University College London’s (UCL) most unique undergraduate awards. Named in memory of Professor Denys Holland, a legendary admissions tutor known for valuing character as much as grades, it specifically targets students who demonstrate both significant financial need and a vibrant extracurricular spirit.1
## Key Scholarship Details
| Feature | Details |
| Value | £9,000 per year for up to three years. |
| Eligibility | Open to all nationalities (Home, EU, and Overseas). |
| Level | Undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree) only. |
| Field of Study | Any department or subject at UCL. |
| Selection Basis | Financial need + Commitment to university life/extracurriculars. |
### Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
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Hold an Offer: You must have a valid offer of admission for full-time undergraduate study at UCL starting in September of the application year.2
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Financial Need: You must be able to demonstrate that, without this scholarship, you would be unable to secure the funding required to study at UCL.3
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Active Engagement: You must show a “broad interest” and a clear intention to participate actively in the UCL Students’ Union and the wider university community (clubs, societies, sports, etc.).4
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Age Preference: Preference is often given to applicants who are aged 25 or below at the start of their studies.5
### The Application Process
Unlike many other UCL scholarships that are automatically assessed, the Denys Holland Scholarship usually requires a separate application form.6
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Application Method: Typically, you must download the application form from the UCL Scholarships website.
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The “Personal Statement”: A crucial part of the form involves detailing your current non-academic interests and explaining how you plan to contribute to life at UCL.7 This is where you prove you are the “holistic” student Professor Holland championed.
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Submission: Completed forms and supporting financial documentation are usually submitted via email to
studentfunding@ucl.ac.uk.8 -
Annual Deadline: The deadline typically falls in early July (e.g., July 4th–7th) before the September start date.
### Important Considerations
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Renewal: The award is renewed annually for three years, provided you maintain “satisfactory academic progress.”9
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Flexibility: You can choose to use the £9,000 to pay your tuition fees directly, or receive it as a maintenance stipend for living costs (or a mix of both).10
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Combinability: It can usually be held alongside other grants or bursaries, provided the total funding does not exceed your total cost of attendance
University College London
Bachelors Degree
Deadline: 6 July 2018 (annual)
Study in: UK
Course starts Sept 2018
Brief description:
The Denys Holland Scholarship aims to support undergraduate students from any country, who without the support of the scholarship would be unable to secure the funding required to study at UCL, and who can demonstrate their intention to make full use of the activities offered by UCL and the Student Union.
Host Institution(s):
University College London, UK
Level/Field of study:
Bachelor’s Degree Programme in any subject offered at the University
Number of Awards:
Not specified
Target group:
Students from any country
Scholarship value/duration:
The scholarship is worth £9,000 per year for three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress and scholars may choose to use all or part of the scholarship to cover fees. Any remainder is paid to the scholar as a maintenance stipend.
Eligibility:
Applicants should be:
• holding a valid UCL Student Number or UCAS Application Number
• holding an offer of admission to UCL for full-time undergraduate study commencing in September 2018, in any department;
• in financial need;
• able to demonstrate that they have broad interests and intend to be actively involved in and contribute to the life of the university;
• preferably aged 25 or below at the time of commencing their studies.
Application instructions:
Applicants must provide UCL Student Number or UCAS Application Number for applications to be considered valid. Complete applications and supporting documentations should be submitted by email before Friday, 6 July 2018 at 5pm (UK time).
It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
Website:
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/scholarships/undergraduate/denyshollandug