For students dreaming of building a career in engineering, technology, design innovation, or advanced sciences, Brunel University London remains one of the UK’s most respected institutions. Every year, the university invests heavily in supporting the brightest students through generous scholarship opportunities that encourage academic excellence. One of the standout awards for undergraduate applicants is the College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences (CEDPS) Academic Excellence Scholarship.
The 2025/26 edition of this prestigious scholarship continues Brunel’s long tradition of rewarding top-performing students and helping them succeed regardless of financial barriers. This article breaks down everything you need to know—from eligibility requirements and award benefits to the selection process, important deadlines, and the direct links you need to proceed.
About the CEDPS Academic Excellence Scholarship
The CEDPS Academic Excellence Scholarship is designed exclusively for undergraduate students entering the College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences at Brunel University London. It aims to celebrate outstanding academic achievement while easing the financial pressure that comes with university study.
Unlike many scholarships that require additional essays, interviews, or separate forms, this award is automatic—students are assessed based on their academic qualifications and the course offer they hold. This makes it one of the most accessible yet competitive scholarships within the university.
The scholarship supports students across a wide range of programmes including engineering disciplines, computer science, design, construction, environmental sciences, and technology-related courses.
Value of the Scholarship
The scholarship provides:
- £2,000 per academic year, paid directly to the student.
- Funding is provided for up to three years for standard full-time courses.
- For students enrolled in sandwich courses (programmes with a placement year), the scholarship does not apply during the placement year.
- For integrated undergraduate/master’s programmes, the scholarship does not extend to the master’s year.
These payments are made in three equal instalments throughout the academic year, typically spaced across December, February, and May. The funds go directly into the student’s bank account, providing financial flexibility for living expenses, study materials, commuting, or academic support tools.
Eligibility Criteria
Scholarships are available to applicants who satisfy all of the following conditions:
- You must have an offer to study a full-time undergraduate programme within the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. This includes placement routes and integrated undergraduate master’s programmes, but does not include Integrated Foundation courses.
- Offers made through UCAS Clearing are also accepted. Clearing applicants must notify the Student Loans Company (SLC) as soon as possible that they will be attending Brunel University London. The SLC must confirm this to Brunel by 4 October 2025; otherwise, the applicant will not be considered.
- Your offer must be for FHEQ Level 4 (Year 1).
- Your offer must be Unconditional Firm (UF) by the time the Scholarship Allocation Panel makes its decisions. This means all offer conditions must be met and the place must be firmly accepted.
- You must start your course in the upcoming academic year. Applicants with deferred entry will only be considered in the year they actually begin the course.
- You must achieve one of the following minimum entry qualifications (combinations or UCAS tariff equivalents are not accepted):
- A Levels: AAB or higher
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: 33 points or above
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma: D*D*D* or higher
- Scottish Advanced Highers (3 subjects): AAB or above
- Irish Leaving Certificate (5 subjects): H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, or AAABB under the pre-2017 system
- Scholarships will be granted only to applicants who meet all requirements at the time of allocation. Late or revised grades are normally not accepted.
Who Is Not Eligible
The scholarship does not apply to:
- Applicants starting at Foundation Year, FHEQ Level 5 (Year 2), or FHEQ Level 6 (Year 3).
- Applicants entering a Brunel degree through Brunel Pathway College (BPC) or progressing from a BPC programme.
- Applicants who will not begin their course in the upcoming academic year. Those with deferred entry will be assessed for the scholarship in the year they actually enrol, not the year they applied.
Maintaining the Scholarship in Later Years
The CEDPS Academic Excellence Scholarship is awarded for up to three years, but continuation is based on academic performance. To keep receiving the scholarship in your second and third year, you must:
- Achieve a 2:1 grade profile or above at the end of:
- Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)
- Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)
- The university reviews performance annually. If you:
- Transfer out of the CEDPS faculty,
- Switch from full-time to part-time study,
- Withdraw temporarily, or
- Repeat a year, the scholarship may be withdrawn.
- Brunel will not make back-payments for repeated or interrupted study periods.
How to Apply
- No separate application is required: all eligible applicants are automatically assessed based on their course application submitted via UCAS (or Brunel’s portal) and the academic information provided.
- Scholarship allocation begins in July and concludes on 29 August 2025.
- Decisions are confirmed by the Scholarship Allocation Panel and communicated to students by late September 2025.
- Payment will be made into a UK bank account, so students should be ready to provide accurate bank details after enrolment.
For more details about the scholarship, visit the official website.
Why This Scholarship Matters
- Financial Support for High-Achieving Students: With rising living and academic costs, this yearly award provides meaningful relief, enabling students to focus on their studies rather than financial worry.
- Prestige and Recognition: Being awarded the CEDPS Academic Excellence Scholarship is a mark of academic capability. It strengthens your portfolio, CV, and professional profile.
- Encouragement for Academic Progress: The scholarship encourages students to maintain strong results, as continuation depends on achieving specific academic standards each year.
- Access to World-Class Facilities: CEDPS students benefit from cutting-edge labs, design studios, research equipment, prototype workshops, simulation facilities, and project-based learning environments.
What the Scholarship Means in Practice
- Financial Relief: A guaranteed £2,000 cash every year (for up to three years) can significantly ease financial burden, even though it’s not a full tuition scholarship.
- Merit Recognition: It rewards strong academic achievement at entry (high A-levels, IB, or equivalent).
- Stability: The requirement to maintain a 2:1 profile encourages consistent academic performance.
- Automatic Consideration: Because there’s no separate application, you just need to focus on your course application and meeting offer conditions.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Meet the Academic Requirements: Make sure your grades meet or exceed the scholarship’s minimum requirement. The higher your results, the better your chances.
- Apply Early: Scholarships are limited. Submitting your application early helps you avoid mistakes and gives you enough time to fix any issues.
- Prepare All Required Documents: Have these ready before starting the application:
- Academic transcripts
- Admission letter or proof of application
- Identification documents
- Any supporting documents required
- Organized documents make your application cleaner and more professional.
- Write a Clear and Honest Personal Statement: Explain:
- Why you chose your program
- Your academic strengths
- Your goals after graduation
- Keep it short, sincere, and easy to read.
- Highlight Achievements: Mention:
- Awards
- Projects
- Research
- Community work
- Leadership roles
- Show that you are not only a good student academically but also active and responsible.
- Follow All Instructions: Read the guidelines on the scholarship webpage carefully. Missing even one requirement can lead to rejection.
- Check Your Application Before Submitting: Review your documents and personal statement for:
- Grammar errors
- Missing pages
- Wrong file formats
- A clean and accurate application creates a good impression.
- Keep Proof of Submission: Take screenshots or save confirmation emails after submitting your application.
- Make Sure Your Contact Information Is Correct: Use an email you check often. The scholarship team may contact you for updates or additional documents.
- Stay Updated After Applying: Regularly check:
- Your email
- University portal
- Scholarship announcements
- This helps you respond quickly if they request something extra.
Conclusion
The CEDPS Academic Excellence Scholarship is one of Brunel University’s most rewarding opportunities for high-achieving students pursuing engineering, design, computing, or physical sciences. It recognizes academic talent, provides consistent financial support, and encourages continued excellence.
If you meet the grade requirements and plan to study within CEDPS in 2025/26, this scholarship represents a strong stepping stone toward a successful academic journey and a competitive professional future.
