Updated: August 24, 2026 | Reading time: 7 min | Written by: StudyTribune Team
The DPU70 Scholarships were a one-time scholarship cohort at UCL’s Bartlett Development Planning Unit, created to mark the department’s 70th anniversary and available only for the 2024-25 academic year. Applications closed in April 2024 and the program has not reopened — UCL’s own page confirms this directly. If you’re looking for this scholarship today, here’s the honest situation and where the real, current opportunity actually is.
What Happened to DPU70
DPU70 Scholarships supported two students from Sub-Saharan Africa to study a master’s degree at the Bartlett Development Planning Unit for the 2024-25 academic year only, funded through The Bartlett Promise Scholarship scheme as a specially named cohort tied to the department’s 70th anniversary celebrations. It was never intended to recur annually, and UCL’s official scholarships page now lists it as closed with no successor cohort under that name.
The Real Current Opportunity: Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship
The broader scheme DPU70 was funded through is still very much active, and open right now for the 2026-27 academic year. If you’re a Sub-Saharan African student hoping to study a master’s at The Bartlett (UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment, which includes the Development Planning Unit and several other schools), this is the scholarship to pursue instead.
Important restriction — check this before applying: Under recent UK Government legislation, citizens of Cameroon and Sudan will be unable to obtain a UK Study Visa from March 26, 2026 onward. As a direct result, applicants from these two countries cannot currently be considered for this scholarship, until further notice.
Quick Facts
- University: UCL, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment (any Bartlett school, not limited to the Development Planning Unit)
- Degree Level: Postgraduate taught master’s courses
- Number of Awards: Up to 3 scholarships for students starting in September 2026, plus one additional Bartlett Promise Prescot Scholarship this cycle
- Coverage: Full overseas tuition fees, an annual allowance of £17,796 for living and study expenses, a flight to/from the UK, UK Study Visa costs, English language assessment costs, health test costs, and the NHS Immigration Health Supplement charge, plus ongoing academic and career support
- Eligibility Restriction: Applicants from Cameroon and Sudan cannot currently be considered, due to a UK visa policy change effective March 26, 2026
Eligibility for DPU70 Scholarships
- Be a national of, and resident in, one of The Bartlett’s approved list of Sub-Saharan African countries
- Not hold British or dual British citizenship
- Not have received, or currently be receiving, funding for a master’s or equivalent qualification at any university outside The Bartlett’s approved SSA country list
- Hold an offer of admission to a Bartlett master’s course for the 2026-27 academic year, either unconditional or conditional only on English language requirements
- Be assessed as in financial need
- Not be a national of Cameroon or Sudan, per the current visa-related restriction above
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to a master’s course at any Bartlett school — this must happen first, since the scholarship application depends on holding an offer.
- Once you receive your offer of admission, complete the separate Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship application.
- Prepare supporting evidence of your educational, personal, and financial circumstances, since selection is based on these factors.
- Submit before the scholarship’s specific deadline for this cycle — confirm the exact current date directly on UCL’s Bartlett Promise page, since it’s set separately from the general admissions deadline.
- Allow time for a decision — UCL typically aims to respond within 6 weeks of receiving your complete application and references, though this can extend to 3-4 months during high-volume periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for the DPU70 Scholarships? No. DPU70 was only available for the 2024-25 academic year and applications closed in April 2024. It has not reopened.
Is there a replacement for DPU70 Scholarships? Yes. The Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship is the ongoing program DPU70 was funded through, and it’s open for the 2026-27 academic year, covering all Bartlett schools rather than just the Development Planning Unit.
Can students from Cameroon or Sudan apply for the current scholarship? Not currently. Due to a UK Government visa policy change effective March 26, 2026, citizens of these two countries cannot be considered for this scholarship until further notice.
How much does the current scholarship pay? An annual allowance of £17,796 for living and study expenses, plus full overseas tuition fees, flights, visa costs, English language assessment costs, health test costs, and the NHS Immigration Health Supplement.
Do I need to apply for university admission and the scholarship separately? Yes. You must first secure an offer of admission to a Bartlett master’s course, then submit a separate scholarship application.
Official Resources
- Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship (official): ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/study/scholarships-and-funding/bartlett-promise-scholarship
- All Bartlett scholarships and funding: ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/development/study/scholarships-and-funding
This hub is part of our broader Scholarships for African Students directory. For leadership and entrepreneurship-focused funding instead, see our Pan-African Leadership & Fellowship Programs guide.