The Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 offer an opportunity for outstanding students to pursue a fully funded PhD in the United Kingdom. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides an annual living stipend of £27,036, and includes an additional research consumables budget of £2,000 per year for the first three years.
Imperial College London plans to award 50 scholarships to candidates with excellent academic records and strong research potential. Applications are open to eligible candidates from the UK and worldwide, with no nationality restrictions.
The first application deadline is November 2, 2026, followed by two additional rounds in January and March 2027. Applicants must contact an academic supervisor at Imperial College London and obtain their agreement to supervise the proposed research before applying.
Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28: Overview
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | President’s PhD Scholarships |
| University | Imperial College London |
| Study level | PhD / doctoral research |
| Study location | United Kingdom |
| Academic year | 2027–2028 |
| Number of scholarships | 50 |
| Tuition fees | Full tuition fees |
| Annual stipend | £27,036 |
| Research consumables | £2,000 annually for the first three years |
| Funding duration | 3.5 years |
| Eligible nationalities | All nationalities |
| Study mode | Full-time and part-time |
| First deadline | November 2, 2026, 23:59 UK time |
| Second deadline | January 11, 2027, 23:59 UK time |
| Third deadline | March 1, 2027, 23:59 UK time |
| Official application information | Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships |
What Does the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship Cover?
The President’s PhD Scholarship provides financial support for eligible doctoral researchers for 3.5 years. Successful applicants receive tuition funding, financial assistance with living expenses, and a research consumables allowance.
1. Full tuition fees
The scholarship covers the full tuition fees for the PhD programme, including the applicable Home or Overseas tuition fee rate.
This is particularly valuable for international applicants who would otherwise need to pay overseas doctoral tuition fees.
2. Annual living stipend of £27,036
Successful scholars receive a stipend of £27,036 per year at the 2027–28 rate to help cover living expenses while studying at Imperial College London.
Students can use this support toward eligible everyday expenses, including accommodation, food, local transport, and other living costs.
3. Research consumables allowance of £2,000
The scholarship includes £2,000 per year for research consumables during the first three years of the PhD.
This allowance helps support eligible research-related expenses associated with the student’s doctoral project.
4. Academic development and research opportunities
President’s PhD Scholars can participate in dedicated opportunities and events delivered by Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute.
They can also access the university’s wider postgraduate support and professional development opportunities.
Official source: President’s PhD Scholarships – Imperial College London.
Who Can Apply for the Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships?
The scholarship is designed for high-performing undergraduate and master’s students who want to undertake doctoral research at Imperial College London.
Applications are accepted from candidates in the UK and internationally. There is no nationality restriction, although individual departments may limit support for international candidates.
To qualify, applicants must meet the university’s academic and application requirements.
Academic requirements
Candidates should meet one of the following academic criteria:
- Have achieved or be expected to achieve a first-class undergraduate degree or equivalent.
- Have achieved or be expected to achieve a first-class integrated master’s degree or equivalent.
- Alternatively, candidates who do not meet the first-class undergraduate requirement may qualify if they have achieved, or can demonstrate that they are on track to achieve, a distinction in a standalone master’s degree.
International applicants should contact the relevant Imperial admissions team to confirm how their qualifications compare with these requirements.
Strong research potential
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to conduct high-quality research. Relevant evidence may include previous research experience, academic achievements, a strong research proposal, and performance in research-related modules.
The university assesses candidates based on academic excellence and research potential.
New PhD applicants only
The scholarship is available to prospective PhD students applying to begin their studies in the 2027–28 academic year.
Students who are already registered on a PhD programme at Imperial College London are not eligible.
Agreement from an academic supervisor
Before submitting an application, you must contact a potential PhD supervisor in the relevant Imperial academic department and obtain their agreement to supervise your proposed research project.
This is a key requirement. Applicants should not wait until the scholarship deadline to begin contacting supervisors.
Imperial also limits supervisors to supervising one President’s PhD Scholar at a time. Applicants should check the university’s list of unavailable supervisors before approaching a potential supervisor.
Eligible Fields of Study
The President’s PhD Scholarships support doctoral research across participating academic departments at Imperial College London.
The university’s participating departments include areas such as:
- Aeronautics
- Bioengineering
- Business
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computing
- Design Engineering
- Earth Science and Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine and biomedical research
- Physics
- Public Health
The list is not a guarantee that every department or research project can be funded in every round. Applicants should confirm that their intended department participates in the scheme and can support their application.
You can explore available doctoral programmes through the official Imperial College London website.
Required Documents for the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship
Applicants should prepare their admission application and supporting documents carefully. The university has specific instructions for candidates applying for the 2027–28 scholarship.
1. Academic transcripts and qualifications
Prepare your academic transcripts and evidence of your undergraduate or master’s qualifications. Applicants whose final results are pending should follow Imperial’s instructions for predicted qualifications.
2. Two-page personal statement and research proposal
For the 2027–28 academic year, Imperial instructs applicants to submit a two-page document in the personal statement section of the online application.
The document should contain:
- Page one: Your reasons for applying to Imperial and the President’s PhD Scholarship, along with relevant supporting information not covered elsewhere in your application.
- Page two: Your proposed research project.
Applicants should follow the university’s instructions and may submit an updated version if their department requests one during shortlisting.
A separate, more detailed research proposal can be uploaded through the designated research proposal section if the department requires it.
3. Two academic references
You must provide the names of two academic referees who can comment on your academic performance and suitability for doctoral research.
Suitable referees may include a thesis supervisor or personal tutor.
Do not list your proposed Imperial PhD supervisor as one of these two referees.
4. PhD admission application
You must submit an application for admission to an eligible PhD programme through Imperial College London’s online admissions system.
There is no separate scholarship application form. Instead, your academic department assesses your application and may nominate you for the scholarship.
5. Scholarship selection in the application form
When completing the online application, make sure you select the President’s PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab.
Failing to indicate your interest in the scholarship could affect your consideration.
Applicants should also check their chosen department’s additional admission requirements.
How to Apply for Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28
Follow these steps to apply.
Step 1: Find a suitable PhD programme.
Explore Imperial College London’s doctoral programmes and identify a research area that matches your academic background and research interests.
Step 2: Contact a potential supervisor.
Identify an academic in your chosen department whose research aligns with your proposed project. Contact the academic, explain your research interests, and ask whether they would be willing to supervise your PhD.
You must obtain the supervisor’s agreement before applying.
Step 3: Prepare your academic documents.
Collect your transcripts, degree certificates or predicted results, academic references, personal statement, and research proposal. Make sure your research interests are clearly explained.
Step 4: Submit your PhD admission application.
Apply through Imperial’s online admissions system for the doctoral programme you intend to study.
Step 5: Select the President’s PhD Scholarship.
In the funding section of the additional questions tab, indicate that you want to be considered for the President’s PhD Scholarship.
Step 6: Submit before the relevant deadline.
Choose the earliest deadline you can realistically meet with a complete, competitive application. Ensure that you follow both the central scholarship instructions and any additional requirements from your department.
Step 7: Wait for the selection decision.
Your department will review eligible applications and shortlist candidates for consideration by the College Selection Panel. Successful applicants will receive written confirmation from Imperial College London.
Official application link
Apply for the Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarship
Use the official page for the latest application instructions, supervisor guidance, and information on participating departments.
Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship Deadlines 2026–2027
Imperial College London will consider applications at three points during the academic year for students beginning their funded PhD in 2027–28.
| Application round | Deadline (UK time) | Notification date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | November 2, 2026, 23:59 | By January 31, 2027 |
| Round 2 | January 11, 2027, 23:59 | By April 15, 2027 |
| Round 3 | March 1, 2027, 23:59 | By May 31, 2027 |
Applicants should note that these are the deadlines for submitting their applications, not separate deadlines for receiving a scholarship offer.
The university advises candidates to apply as early as possible and make sure their applications meet the requirements of their selected department.
Important: A department may have an earlier internal deadline for reviewing or nominating candidates. Contact your proposed supervisor or department well before the central deadline.
When Will the Scholarship Begin?
For the 2027–28 academic year, the earliest start date for funded places is August 1, 2027, and the latest start date is November 1, 2027.
Successful applicants must meet the conditions of their PhD admission offer and the scholarship award.
The scholarship cannot be treated as funding for a PhD that began before the eligible entry period.
How Competitive Is the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship?
The President’s PhD Scholarship is highly competitive. Imperial plans to award 50 scholarships, and eligible applications undergo a departmental review followed by consideration at the College level.
Candidates are assessed using two main criteria.
Academic excellence: The university considers academic results, transcripts, relative class position, distinctions, and other evidence of academic achievement.
Research potential: The assessment considers research experience, intellectual curiosity, the quality and potential contribution of the research proposal, and the department’s assessment of the candidate.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee a scholarship. Applicants should present a clear research plan, strong academic references, and evidence that they are prepared for doctoral research.
Imperial also welcomes applicants with non-traditional academic or career pathways who demonstrate strong research potential. Candidates who believe extenuating circumstances affected their academic results should contact their proposed department before applying.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes. The Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships are open to eligible candidates from around the world, with no nationality restrictions.
International students can be considered for full tuition funding and the annual stipend if they meet the academic and other requirements.
However, applicants should confirm that their chosen department can support international candidates and that their qualifications meet Imperial’s academic criteria.
Applicants should also investigate UK student visa requirements and associated immigration costs separately. The scholarship’s published funding details should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every visa-related expense will be covered.
FAQs
1. Is the Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship provides full tuition fees, an annual stipend of £27,036 at the 2027–28 rate, and a £2,000 annual research consumables allowance for the first three years. The funding period is 3.5 years.
2. What is the deadline for the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship 2027–28?
The first deadline is November 2, 2026, at 23:59 UK time. The later deadlines are January 11, 2027, and March 1, 2027, both at 23:59 UK time.
3. Can Nigerian students apply for the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship?
Yes. Nigerian applicants can apply because the scholarship has no nationality restrictions. They must meet the academic requirements, secure an agreed Imperial supervisor, and submit a complete PhD admission application.
4. Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying?
Yes. Applicants must contact a supervisor in an Imperial academic department and obtain their agreement to supervise the proposed research project before submitting their application.
5. Is there a separate scholarship application form?
No. Applicants submit an application for admission to an eligible PhD programme through Imperial’s online admissions system. They must select the President’s PhD Scholarship in the funding section of the additional questions tab.
6. Can current Imperial PhD students apply?
No. The scholarship is intended for new PhD applicants. Students who are already registered on an Imperial PhD programme are not eligible.
7. How many scholarships are available?
Imperial College London plans to award 50 President’s PhD Scholarships for the 2027–28 academic year.
8. When will successful applicants receive a decision?
Applicants in the first round will be notified by January 31, 2027. Second-round applicants will be notified by April 15, 2027, and third-round applicants by May 31, 2027.
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