Imperial PhD Scholarship 2027-28 is a fully funded doctoral award at Imperial College London that covers tuition, provides a living-cost stipend and research consumables support for eligible PhD applicants. The scholarship funds 3.5 years of study and requires departmental nomination before consideration.
The scholarship is offered by Imperial College London and includes access to the Early Career Researcher Institute activities and Imperial’s academic, disability and international-student support services. Applicants must secure a willing Imperial supervisor and apply through the College’s PhD application system for departmental nomination.
Imperial PhD Scholarship Benefits
- Full payment of your PhD tuition fees for 3.5 years;
- A living-cost stipend of £27,036 per year at the published 2027–28 rate;
- a consumables fund of £2,000 per year during the first three years;
- Access to research-development activities, events and cohort-building opportunities delivered through Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute;
- Imperial’s wider academic, disability and international-student support services.
Imperial PhD Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants from any country
- You should normally apply if you have, or are expected to receive, a first-class undergraduate or integrated master’s degree—or its international equivalent.
- If your bachelor’s result is below first-class level, you may still qualify when you have achieved, or are on course to achieve, a distinction in a separate standalone master’s degree.
- Imperial may also consider department-supported special cases involving extenuating circumstances or non-traditional academic and professional pathways.
- Current registered Imperial PhD students cannot apply because the scholarship is reserved for new doctoral applications.
- Some departments may be unable to support international applicants under this scheme.
How to Apply for Imperial PhD Scholarship
- There is no separate scholarship application. You apply for PhD admission through Imperial’s online system, and your department decides whether to nominate you for the President’s Scholarship.
- Choose your doctoral research area. Search Imperial’s doctoral courses and review the department-specific entry requirements.
- Secure a willing supervisor. Contact a suitable Imperial academic and discuss the proposed research before applying.
- Prepare the required documents. These normally include transcripts, qualification evidence, a personal statement, research proposal and details of two academic referees.
- Create the required two-page statement. Page one should explain your motivation for applying to Imperial and the President’s Scholarship. Page two should present your research proposal.
- Add a detailed proposal if required. If your department asks for a longer research document, upload it under the separate research-proposal option.
- Nominate two academic referees. Do not use your proposed Imperial PhD supervisor as either referee.
- Select the President’s PhD Scholarship in the funding section of the additional-questions tab.
- Submit through the Imperial application system before the scholarship round you want to enter.
- Your department will assess and, if appropriate, nominate shortlisted applicants to the College Selection Panel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the President’s PhD Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, selection and how to apply through Imperial’s PhD application system.
What does the President’s PhD Scholarship cover?
The President’s PhD Scholarship covers full payment of PhD tuition fees for 3.5 years, provides a living-cost stipend of £27,036 per year at the 2027–28 rate, and a consumables fund of £2,000 per year for the first three years, plus access to Early Career Researcher Institute activities and Imperial support services.
Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?
Applicants from any country may be eligible. You should normally have, or be expected to receive, a first-class undergraduate or integrated master’s degree or an equivalent. Applicants with lower undergraduate results may qualify if they have a distinction in a standalone master’s degree. Departments may consider special cases with supporting evidence.
Can current Imperial PhD students apply?
No. Current registered Imperial PhD students cannot apply because the scholarship is reserved for new doctoral applications. The scheme is intended to fund incoming PhD candidates who are nominated by their department.
Do international applicants need to meet English requirements?
You may need to provide English-language evidence depending on your chosen PhD course. Imperial uses Standard and Higher levels with commonly used scores for tests such as IELTS, PTE and Duolingo. Check your intended doctoral course for the exact English requirements.
Is there a separate application form for the scholarship?
No. There is no separate scholarship application. You apply for PhD admission through Imperial’s online system, and your department decides whether to nominate you for the President’s Scholarship. You must select the scholarship in the funding section of the additional-questions tab.
How many awards are available and what is the funding duration?
Fifty awards are available for the 2027–28 round. The scholarship provides funding for 3.5 years, which includes tuition, the annual stipend, and consumables support during the first three years.
What is the selection process for the scholarship?
Imperial assesses academic excellence and research potential. Departments shortlist candidates based on academic records, research experience and proposal quality, then present shortlisted applicants to the College Selection Panel. Departmental recommendation and interview performance are part of the assessment.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
Yes. You must contact an academic in the relevant department and obtain agreement to supervise your research before submitting your application, because departments put forward nominations for the scholarship rather than applicants applying directly to the selection panel.
What are the application deadlines for the 2027–28 scholarship?
Imperial assesses applications in three rounds. Apply by 2 November 2026 for round one, by 11 January 2027 for round two, or by the final deadline of 1 March 2027. Deadlines are given with times in UK time and successful candidates are notified in the specified decision windows.
What documents are typically required when applying?
You should prepare transcripts, qualification evidence, a personal statement, a research proposal, details of two academic referees, and the required two-page statement for the President’s Scholarship. Departments may request additional materials and may ask for a longer research proposal if required.
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