If you’re dreaming of studying in London, then Imperial College London just made that a bit easier on your wallet. Its new Imperial Inspires programme will hand out at least 300 scholarships worth £15,000 a year to international students starting in autumn 2027. It’s open to students from every country, and it covers undergraduate and selected postgraduate taught courses.
It’s not a free ride, though. Here’s what you need to know before you apply.
The Quick Snapshot
| Scholarship | Imperial Inspires |
|---|---|
| Where | London, UK |
| Awards | At least 300 |
| Value | £15,000 per year, for each year of your eligible course |
| Who can apply | International (Overseas fee-paying) students from any country |
| Levels | Full-time undergraduate and selected postgraduate taught courses |
| Entry | Autumn 2027 |
| PhD students | Not eligible |
What Is Imperial Inspires?
It’s a brand-new international scholarship scheme. Imperial wants talented students from around the world to study there, and it wants them to bring their own ideas and experiences to campus.
The awards cover four areas: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Medicine and Imperial Business School. These are the fields Imperial is best known for.
How Much Is It Worth?
You get £15,000 for every year of your eligible course. Do the maths and it adds up fast:
- A three-year undergraduate degree: £45,000 in total
- A four-year programme, like an integrated MEng: £60,000 in total
Don’t picture that money landing in your bank account as spending cash, though. Imperial describes it as help towards tuition fees and living costs. Read your award terms carefully before you start budgeting.
Is It Fully Funded?
No. This is a partial scholarship, and it’s the most important thing to understand. Leiden’s own Excellence Scholarship works the same way, tiered partial tuition reductions rather than a full ride, so it’s worth getting used to budgeting around a gap either way.
£15,000 takes a real bite out of the bill, but you’re still on the hook for whatever’s left. That means the rest of your tuition and your living costs in London, which aren’t cheap. Before you accept an offer, you’ll need a full money plan. Seeing what studying in Finland actually costs, or what Porto’s funding options look like, can help you put London’s price tag in perspective while you plan. Your options could include:
- Personal savings
- Help from family
- Employer or government sponsorship
- Other scholarships
Sort this out early. A scholarship that covers part of the cost only helps if you can afford the rest.
Want a UK option that covers everything instead of part of it? You may also want to check this guide to the Chevening Scholarship 2027, a fully funded route into the UK for international students.
Who Can Apply?
Imperial keeps this simple. If you’re an international student who pays the Overseas tuition rate, you’re in the running. There are no nationality limits, and no region gets priority. Imperial says this directly in its FAQ.
To be considered, you generally need to:
- Be eligible for the Overseas tuition rate
- Apply for a full-time undergraduate course or an eligible full-time postgraduate taught course
- Pick a course that actually offers an Imperial Inspires award
- Meet the normal academic requirements for that course
- Fill in the extra scholarship application when Imperial invites you to
Meeting those points gets you considered. It doesn’t get you the money.
Which Courses Count?
Undergraduate
Every undergraduate course is covered, including integrated Master’s degrees like MEng and MSci.
Postgraduate
Only selected taught Master’s courses qualify. Don’t assume yours does. Check the course page first.
Here’s what’s covered by area.
Faculty of Engineering
- Aeronautics
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computing
- Design Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Materials
- Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Chemistry
- Earth Science and Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
Faculty of Medicine
- Medicine
- Brain Sciences
- Immunology and Inflammation
- Infectious Disease
- Public Health
- Surgery and Cancer
- National Heart and Lung Institute
Imperial Business School
Selected programmes take part too.
What About PhD Students?
Sorry, no. Imperial Inspires doesn’t cover PhDs, EngDs or other research degrees. If that’s you, look at Imperial’s separate research funding options instead.
How to Apply
Before you start, it’s worth reading up on the most common scholarship application mistakes and how to avoid them — small errors here can cost you the award.
There’s no standalone scholarship form you can send in on its own. The process starts with your course application.
- Pick an eligible course. Find one that fits your background and goals. If you’re going postgraduate, double-check that the specific course takes part in Imperial Inspires.
- Apply for admission. Undergraduates apply through UCAS. Postgraduates apply through My Imperial.
- Meet the requirements. If your course offers the scholarship and you meet the basic criteria, Imperial invites you to the next stage.
- Complete the scholarship application. This includes an essay question. Imperial says invitations for 2027 entry start going out from September 2026.
Undergraduate Deadlines You Can’t Miss
For 2027 entry, the key dates are:
- September 1, 2026: UCAS applications opened
- October 15, 2026, 18:00 UK time: Deadline for Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and Oxford and Cambridge applications
- January 13, 2027, 18:00 UK time: Equal-consideration deadline for most other undergraduate courses
Today’s September 24, so the October deadline is about three weeks away. If it applies to you, move now.
Some courses also need admissions tests. Imperial lists ESAT and TMUA testing windows in October 2026 and January 2027 for the relevant programmes. Check what your course requires.
With deadlines this close, it’s worth double-checking your paperwork now. This rundown of the documents you need to study abroad covers what to have ready before you submit.
Postgraduate Applications
Master’s applicants apply through My Imperial. Taught programmes run in application rounds with fixed dates, so your deadline depends on your course. Look up your course’s rounds before you plan anything.
For 2027–28 entry, most taught Master’s applications carry a fee:
- £90 for most Master’s courses outside the Business School
- £125 for MSc courses at Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications
If money’s tight, Imperial offers a fee waiver for applicants who meet its financial-hardship criteria.
Still working out how to cover the gap Imperial Inspires leaves behind? This complete guide to college scholarships for 2026/2027 is a good place to look for more funding.
What Does Imperial Want to See?
Good grades matter. But Imperial says it’s looking for more than test scores. It highlights four qualities.
Curiosity
Show that you love digging into hard questions.
Initiative
Show that you take action. Did you start something, fix a problem or create an opportunity? Just joining things won’t cut it.
Leadership
You don’t need a fancy title. Leading a class project, a volunteer effort, a small business or a research task all count.
Global Outlook
Explain how your interests and goals connect to problems and opportunities beyond your own backyard.
Your scholarship essay is where these qualities have to shine.
How Tough Is the Competition?
Very. Imperial calls this a highly competitive programme and expects strong interest from outstanding students worldwide. It doesn’t publish an acceptance rate either.
So don’t treat the £15,000 as a given just because you tick the boxes. Meeting the minimum gets you into the pool. It doesn’t guarantee a win.
Does Imperial Favour Certain Countries?
No. Imperial says it doesn’t prioritise any region. Your nationality won’t help you or hurt you. What counts is your fee status, your course, your academic record, and how strong your scholarship application is.
Scholarship vs. Admission: Two Separate Things
Think of these as two different applications.
- Admission: Can you meet the requirements for your chosen course?
- Scholarship: Do you fit the Imperial Inspires criteria, and do you stand out from the crowd?
Imperial says scholarship decisions don’t affect admission decisions. Your academic offer depends on your academic merit and how well you suit the course.
The good news is that missing out on the scholarship doesn’t kill your plans. You can still accept your offer and enrol without it. Just be sure you can cover the full cost before you say yes.
Weighing other UK-based, merit-focused awards while you wait? You may also want to check this Marshall Scholarship guide covering eligibility, funding, and how to apply.
The Fine Print You Should Know
No Deferrals
Imperial Inspires scholarships can’t be deferred. If you push your start date back, you’ll need to apply again in the year you actually begin. That includes students who must complete national or military service first.
Changing Courses
Your scholarship is tied to your specific eligible course. If you switch, Imperial reassesses your eligibility. If the new course isn’t eligible, the award may stop. Talk to Imperial before you make a big change. Withdrawing or suspending your studies can also end the scholarship.
Stacking Other Awards
Whether you can hold Imperial Inspires alongside other scholarships depends on each funder’s rules and on Imperial’s own. Don’t assume it works. Tell Imperial about other funding you receive, and check the terms before you count on any of the money.
How to Build a Strong Application
You don’t have to wait for your invitation. Start now.
- Choose your course for the right reasons. Don’t pick something just because it comes with funding. Choose what fits your strengths and your goals. A scholarship for a course you don’t want is a bad deal.
- Read the entry requirements closely. Look up the required subjects, grades, admissions tests and English-language rules for your course. Missing one detail can sink an otherwise great application.
- Collect proof of what you’ve done. Vague claims fall flat. Specific results stand out. It also helps to line up a strong scholarship recommendation letter from someone who can speak to your work directly. Ask yourself:
- Did I lead a project or a team?
- Did I build something that works?
- Did I run experiments or do research?
- Did I fix a real problem for a real person or group?
- Did I win a competition?
- Did my work help other people?
Write down the numbers. “I organised a study group of 25 students and their average scores rose by 12%” beats “I’m a natural leader” every time. A professionally formatted CV that lays out these achievements clearly can also strengthen the rest of your file.
- Plan your essay early. Pick two or three stories that show curiosity, initiative, leadership and a global outlook. Tell them plainly, with real details. Keep your voice. Admissions readers see thousands of essays, and honest, specific writing is what sticks.
- Sort out your finances. Because the award is partial, work out how you’ll cover the rest of the cost. Have a plan ready before you accept any offer.
If the remaining balance is still too high even with £15,000 off, it’s worth looking at the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, a fully funded Master’s route through Europe.
The Bottom Line
Imperial Inspires offers real money: £15,000 a year, for at least 300 students, with no nationality limits. It’s not fully funded, it’s competitive, and you can’t defer it.
If you’re eyeing an Imperial course for 2027, start with the course itself. Check the entry requirements, mark your deadlines, and begin collecting the stories that show who you are. Once you’ve got an offer in hand, it’s also worth reading up on preparing for your first flight abroad as a student, so the practical side of the move doesn’t catch you off guard. Then keep an eye on the official Imperial Inspires page for the latest details before you apply.