Imperial College London is offering 50 President’s PhD Scholarships for 2027–28, providing full tuition funding and a generous annual stipend for high-performing students who want to pursue doctoral research at Imperial.
Each scholarship supports up to 3.5 years of PhD study and includes:
- Full tuition fees
- A £27,036 annual stipend at the 2027–28 rate
- A £2,000 annual consumables fund for the first three years
- Access to bespoke development opportunities and events through Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute
The scholarships are open to talented applicants from Imperial, the UK and worldwide, with no nationality restrictions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Imperial College London |
| Scholarship | President’s PhD Scholarships |
| Academic Year | 2027–28 |
| Number of Scholarships | 50 |
| Tuition | Fully funded |
| Stipend | £27,036 per year |
| Consumables Fund | £2,000 per year for first 3 years |
| Duration | 3.5 years |
| Nationality | Open worldwide |
| Study Mode | Full-time and part-time |
| Degree Level | PhD |
| Earliest Funded Start | 1 August 2027 |
| Latest Funded Start | 1 November 2027 |
| Main Deadlines | 2 Nov 2026, 11 Jan 2027, 1 Mar 2027 |
| Application Method | Through Imperial’s PhD admissions system |
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Each of the 50 scholarships provides substantial financial support throughout the funded PhD period.
Full Tuition Fees
Imperial covers the full cost of tuition fees for successful scholars.
This is one of the most significant benefits, particularly for international students who would otherwise face higher overseas tuition costs.
£27,036 Annual Stipend
Successful scholars receive:
£27,036 per year
at the stated 2027–28 rate.
This funding is intended to support living costs during doctoral study.
Opportunities Feed Insight
Because the award combines full tuition with a substantial living stipend, it qualifies as a genuinely fully funded PhD scholarship.
£2,000 Research Consumables Fund
Scholars also receive:
£2,000 per year
for the first three years of study.
This fund is intended to support research-related consumables and academic costs associated with the PhD project.
Additional Researcher Development
Scholars also gain access to:
- Bespoke development opportunities
- Scholar events
- Early Career Researcher Institute programmes
- Wider postgraduate support
- Support for international students
- Support for disabled students
- Researcher learning and development courses
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to high-performing students from:
- Imperial College London
- Across the UK
- Internationally
There are no nationality restrictions.
However, Imperial notes that some departments may be unable to support international candidates in particular circumstances.
Academic Eligibility
The scheme has highly competitive academic requirements.
Applicants must either:
- Hold, or be due to receive, a first-class degree or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated Master’s degree
or
- If they do not have a first-class undergraduate degree, hold or be on track to receive a distinction in a standalone Master’s qualification
Opportunities Feed Clarification
Applicants with only a single undergraduate degree or integrated Master’s still need a first-class or equivalent result.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes.
Imperial explicitly says applications are accepted from candidates worldwide and there are no nationality restrictions.
International candidates should, however, check with the relevant Admissions team that their qualifications and grades are considered equivalent to Imperial’s requirements.
Can Master’s Students Apply?
Yes.
Applicants who are completing or have completed a standalone Master’s can qualify if they demonstrate performance at the required level.
In particular, the scheme allows candidates who did not achieve a first-class undergraduate degree to still apply if they achieve or are expected to achieve a:
distinction in a standalone Master’s degree.
Are Current Imperial PhD Students Eligible?
No.
The scholarship is only open to:
new PhD applications.
Current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible.
Can Part-Time PhD Students Apply?
Yes.
The scholarship applies to both:
- Full-time study
- Part-time study
Alternate and Non-Traditional Pathways
Imperial also states that candidates with:
- Non-traditional academic pathways
- Non-traditional career pathways
who demonstrate strong research potential are encouraged to apply.
This is important because the selection process is not based solely on one academic route.
Department Special Cases
Applicants who narrowly miss the published academic criteria may, in exceptional circumstances, be considered as a departmental special case.
Possible reasons may include:
- Extenuating circumstances
- Strong performance in research modules
- Strong research placements
- Other evidence of exceptional research capability
Candidates considering this route should contact the proposed department before applying.
You Must Find a Supervisor First
Before submitting the scholarship application, candidates must make contact with:
a supervisor in an Imperial academic department
who has agreed to supervise the proposed research project.
Opportunities Feed Warning
This is a critical requirement.
Do not submit the application without first confirming an appropriate supervisor.
Imperial also notes that supervisors are limited in the number of President’s PhD Scholars they can supervise at one time.
Is There a Separate Scholarship Application?
No.
Imperial says there is:
no separate scholarship application form.
Instead, candidates apply for admission to a PhD through Imperial’s online admissions system.
The academic department then puts suitable candidates forward for the President’s PhD Scholarship based on:
- Academic merit
- Research potential
Important Funding Selection Step
Candidates must select:
President’s PhD Scholarship
in the funding section of the additional questions tab within the online PhD application.
Opportunities Feed Warning
Failing to select the scholarship option may mean you are not considered for the award.
Personal Statement Requirements
Applicants must submit a:
two-page personal statement.
The structure is very specific.
Page 1
The first page should cover:
- Motivation for applying to Imperial
- Motivation for applying for the scholarship
- Other relevant supporting information
Page 2
The second page should contain:
your research proposal.
Imperial encourages candidates to write in the first person.
Detailed Research Proposal
If a department requires a more detailed proposal, candidates can also upload a separate research-proposal document under the relevant supporting-documents section.
Academic References
Applicants must provide:
two academic referees.
Suitable referees could include:
- Personal tutor
- Dissertation supervisor
- Thesis supervisor
- Academic mentor
The proposed PhD supervisor should not be used as one of the two referees.
Funded Start Dates
For the 2027–28 academic year:
Earliest funded start date: 1 August 2027
Latest funded start date: 1 November 2027
Application Deadlines
Imperial considers scholarship applications at three points during the academic year.
Round 1
Apply by:
2 November 2026 at 23:59 UK time
Successful candidates will be notified by:
31 January 2027
Round 2
Apply by:
11 January 2027 at 23:59 UK time
Successful candidates will be notified by:
15 April 2027
Round 3
Apply by:
1 March 2027 at 23:59 UK time
Successful candidates will be notified by:
31 May 2027
Opportunities Feed Advice
Candidates should not automatically wait for the final round.
Earlier applications may provide more time for:
- Supervisor discussions
- Proposal refinement
- Department feedback
- Reference preparation
How Many Scholarships Are Available?
There are:
50 President’s PhD Scholarships
available for 2027–28.
How Are Candidates Selected?
Selection takes place through a two-stage process.
Stage 1 — Departmental Review
The department reviews candidates who meet or are predicted to meet the eligibility requirements.
Departments then create a shortlist.
Stage 2 — College Selection Panel
Shortlisted candidates are presented to Imperial’s College Selection Panel.
The panel makes final scholarship decisions.
What Does the Selection Panel Assess?
Candidates are primarily assessed on:
- Academic excellence
- Research potential
Academic Excellence
This can be demonstrated through:
- Academic results
- Transcripts
- Relative class position
- Awards
- Distinctions
Research Potential
Research potential is assessed using:
- Previous research experience
- Interest in discovery
- Research plan
- Potential contribution of the proposed research
- Departmental statement
- Interview performance
Opportunities Feed Insight
A strong academic record alone may not be enough.
Candidates also need to show that they can develop and execute a meaningful doctoral research project.
What Happens If You Do Not Win the Scholarship?
Applicants who are not selected for a President’s PhD Scholarship are:
automatically considered for a standard PhD place.
This means scholarship rejection does not necessarily mean rejection from Imperial’s PhD programme.
How Competitive Is the Scholarship?
The scholarship is highly competitive.
There are only:
50 awards
and Imperial explicitly states that the scheme has:
higher than usual eligibility requirements.
Candidates should therefore prepare a particularly strong application.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Applicants should focus on four areas.
1. Academic Excellence
Clearly demonstrate:
- First-class performance
- Distinction-level Master’s performance
- Awards
- Academic ranking
- Strong research modules
2. Research Experience
Show experience with:
- Research projects
- Dissertation work
- Publications
- Conferences
- Research placements
- Laboratory or field work
where relevant.
3. Strong Research Proposal
Your proposal should clearly explain:
- The research question
- Why it matters
- Methodology
- Expected contribution
- Why Imperial is the right institution
- Why the proposed supervisor is suitable
4. Academic References
Choose referees who know your:
- Academic ability
- Research potential
- Independence
- Critical thinking
well enough to provide detailed evidence.
Application Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid:
- Applying without securing a supervisor
- Missing the scholarship option in the funding section
- Ignoring the two-page personal statement format
- Using your proposed PhD supervisor as a referee
- Submitting a weak or generic research proposal
- Assuming one deadline applies to all three rounds
- Waiting until the final day to contact a supervisor
- Assuming current Imperial PhD students are eligible
- Failing to check international grade equivalency
Who Should Apply?
This scholarship is especially suitable for:
- High-performing undergraduate students
- Master’s students
- Recent graduates
- Researchers with strong academic records
- Students with clear doctoral research ambitions
- International students seeking fully funded UK PhDs
- Applicants with strong research potential
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition fees and includes a living stipend.
How much is the stipend?
The 2027–28 stipend is:
£27,036 per year.
How many scholarships are available?
50.
Is there research funding?
Yes. Scholars receive:
£2,000 per year
for research consumables during the first three years.
How long is the funding?
The scholarship supports:
3.5 years of study.
Can international students apply?
Yes. There are no nationality restrictions.
Can part-time students apply?
Yes.
Do I need a supervisor?
Yes. You must contact a supervisor who agrees to supervise your research before applying.
Is there a separate scholarship form?
No. You apply for the PhD through Imperial’s normal admissions system and select the scholarship in the funding section.
Can current Imperial PhD students apply?
No.
What are the 2027–28 deadlines?
The three application deadlines are:
- 2 November 2026
- 11 January 2027
- 1 March 2027
When will successful applicants hear?
Depending on the round:
- 31 January 2027
- 15 April 2027
- 31 May 2027
What happens if I do not receive the scholarship?
You will automatically be considered for a standard Imperial PhD place.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
The Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 are among the strongest fully funded doctoral opportunities for high-performing students seeking to study in the UK.
The scholarship provides full tuition funding, a £27,036 annual stipend and a £2,000 annual research consumables fund for the first three years, with funding extending across a 3.5-year PhD.
The programme is particularly attractive to international applicants because there are no nationality restrictions, although academic standards are extremely high.
The biggest strategic requirement is to secure an Imperial supervisor before applying and to prepare a strong research proposal that demonstrates both academic excellence and genuine research potential.
Candidates also have three application opportunities, beginning with the first deadline on 2 November 2026.
With just 50 scholarships available, early preparation is essential.
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