UCA Merit Scholarship 2025

The UCA Merit Scholarship (September 2025) at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is a merit-based award designed to support academically outstanding international students starting full-time undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programs in September 2025. UCA, a top-ranked specialist creative university in the UK (1st for Art & Design in REF 2021, 89th in The Guardian University Guide 2025), has campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, and Rochester, and serves over 7,000 students from 70 countries. The scholarship provides a £4,500 tuition fee deduction for the first year of study (increased to £4,800 for Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants meeting specific payment conditions). Aimed at fostering creativity in disciplines like fashion, animation, and film, the scholarship enhances recipients’ access to UCA’s industry connections with companies like Burberry and L’Oréal, and its 96.9% graduate employability rate within six months.

To be eligible for the UCA Merit Scholarship (September 2025), applicants must:

• Be classified as international fee-paying students (open to all nationalities except UK residents).

• Hold a conditional or unconditional offer for a full-time program at UCA starting in September 2025, including:

  • Undergraduate: BA/BSc (Hons) in Animation, Fashion, Film Production, Games Design, etc.

  • Postgraduate: MA, MSc, or MArch in disciplines like Graphic Design, Fashion Business, or Architecture.

  • PhD: Research programs in creative fields (excludes International Foundation in Creative Practices).

• Achieve 80% or higher (or equivalent) in their entry qualification, such as:

  • Undergraduate: Higher Secondary Certificate (e.g., Indian CBSE/ISC with 80%+, Nigerian SSSC with B grades in 5 subjects, Bangladeshi HSC with GPA 4.0/5.0).

  • Postgraduate: Bachelor’s degree with UK 2:1 equivalent (e.g., 60%+ for Indian students, CGPA 3.0/4.0 for Nigerian students).

  • PhD: Master’s degree with strong academic performance or research proposal.

• For Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants: Pay a £5,500 deposit before Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issuance and the remaining first-year tuition fees by the second instalment deadline (typically October 2025).

• Exclusions:

  • Not available for UK residents, part-time students, or deferred entry to 2026.

  • Not combinable with other UCA scholarships or discounts (e.g., UCA Creative Europe Scholarship, Care Experienced Bursary) except the 5% early payment discount for fees over £5,000.

  • Applicants progressing from UCA’s Integrated International Foundation to undergraduate programs are ineligible for this scholarship but may receive a £1,500 progression discount.

• Value: £4,500 tuition fee deduction for the first year of study (£4,800 for Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants meeting payment conditions).

• Disbursement: Automatically applied as a tuition fee reduction after enrollment and fee payment confirmation, typically post-census date (October 2025).

• Duration: Non-renewable, applicable only to the first year of the program.

• Additional Benefits:

  • Recognition as a UCA Merit Scholar, enhancing professional credentials.

  • Access to UCA’s career services, including internships with industry partners like Michael Kors and Pandora.

  • Networking opportunities with UCA’s alumni network and creative industry leaders.

  • Use of UCA’s world-class facilities, including 7 research centers in crafts, design, and animation.

• Note: The scholarship does not cover living expenses (£10,000–£15,000/year in Surrey/Kent), accommodation (£6,000–£9,000/year in UCA-managed halls), or additional fees (e.g., health surcharge, ~£1,000/year). Total financial aid cannot exceed tuition costs, and adjustments may be made if combined with other funding. Education loans via WeMakeScholars or banks (e.g., SBI, HDFC Credila) are available for remaining costs. International students must enroll in or waive UCA’s health insurance by September 15, 2025, for 2025-26 coverage.

No separate application is required; eligible candidates are automatically considered upon applying for a qualifying UCA program. Follow these steps:

1. Apply for a UCA Program:

   • Submit an application via the UCA Applicant Portal (www.uca.ac.uk/apply) or UCAS (www.ucas.com) for undergraduate programs by August 22, 2025 (direct portal) or January 29, 2026 (UCAS equal consideration deadline).

   • Required documents:

     • Academic transcripts (in English or with certified translations) showing 80%+ or equivalent (e.g., Indian CBSE/ISC 80%+, Nigerian SSSC B grades).

     • English proficiency test scores (e.g., IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or UCA-approved equivalent).

     • Portfolio showcasing creative work (for most programs, submitted via the Applicant Portal).

     • Personal statement (500–750 words) outlining academic goals and creative aspirations.

     • Two letters of recommendation (postgraduate/PhD applicants).

     • Copy of passport (international students).

     • Research proposal (PhD applicants only).

   • No application fee is required for direct applications via the UCA portal.

2. Automatic Consideration: The UCA admissions team assesses eligibility for the Merit Scholarship based on:

   • Academic merit (80%+ in entry qualification).

   • Strength of portfolio and personal statement.

   • Confirmation of offer acceptance and fee deposit payment (by August 22, 2025, for most programs).

3. Notification: Successful applicants are notified via their UCA Applicant Portal account and email by September 10, 2025, alongside their admission offer or shortly after.

4. Accept and Enroll: Accept the offer and scholarship via the Applicant Portal by the deadline in the offer letter (typically September 15, 2025) and enroll by September 2025 to activate the award.

Note: Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants must pay a £5,500 deposit before CAS issuance and clear first-year fees by the second instalment deadline (October 2025) to secure the £4,800 award. International students must hold a valid UK student visa and be onshore by September 2025. Apply for a visa by June 2025 to allow 3–4 months for processing. Contact admissions@uca.ac.uk for support.

• Completed UCA application (via www.uca.ac.uk/apply or www.ucas.com).

• Academic transcripts (80%+ or equivalent, in English or with certified translations).

• English proficiency test scores (e.g., IELTS 6.0, no band below 5.5).

• Portfolio (for creative programs, submitted via Applicant Portal).

• Personal statement (500–750 words).

• Two letters of recommendation (postgraduate/PhD applicants).

• Copy of passport (international students).

• Research proposal (PhD applicants).

• Note: Documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations. Submit via the UCA Applicant Portal or UCAS. Nigerian/Ghanaian applicants must provide proof of £5,500 deposit payment before CAS issuance.

• Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 (UCA Applicant Portal for September 2025 intake); January 29, 2026 (UCAS equal consideration for undergraduates).

• Fee Deposit Deadline: August 22, 2025 (for CAS issuance, especially for Nigerian/Ghanaian applicants).

• Notification: By September 10, 2025.

• Acceptance Deadline: Confirm with offer letter, typically September 15, 2025.

• Enrollment Deadline: Register for September 2025 by late September 2025.

• Health Insurance Deadline: Enroll in or waive UCA’s health insurance by September 15, 2025, for 2025-26 coverage.

• Note: Deadlines are based on 2025-26 terms (www.uca.ac.uk, www.shiksha.com). Verify with admissions@uca.ac.uk. Early application by June 2025 is recommended for international students due to visa processing.

• Email: admissions@uca.ac.uk (Admissions); international@uca.ac.uk (International Office).

• Phone: +44 1252 892883 (Admissions).

• Address: University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7DS, UK.

• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (GMT).

• Website: www.uca.ac.uk