Imperial College London wants to fund 50 doctoral students who start between August and November 2027. The package covers full tuition, a living stipend, and research money, and nationality does not block you. The catch is that you cannot simply fill in a scholarship form. You need a supervisor first. This guide walks you through the money, the deadlines, and the steps that decide whether you get in.
The Scholarship at a Glance
| Item | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Number of awards | 50 |
| Tuition | Fully funded |
| Annual stipend (2027–28) | £27,036 |
| Research consumables | £2,000 a year for the first three years |
| Length of funding | 3.5 years |
| Study mode | Full-time or part-time |
| Nationality | No restrictions |
| Extra support | Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) training and events |
Deadlines: Three Rounds, One Smart Choice
Imperial runs three application rounds. All deadlines fall at 23:59 UK time.
| Round | Application deadline | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 2 November 2026 | 31 January 2027 |
| Round 2 | 11 January 2027 | 15 April 2027 |
| Round 3 | 1 March 2027 | 31 May 2027 |
Your funded PhD must start between 1 August 2027 and 1 November 2027. Round 1 is the closest deadline, so treat it as your target. Missing it does not end your chances, but it does shrink your time to find a supervisor and polish your proposal.
What the Scholarship Pays
Here is what a successful scholar receives:
- Full tuition fees for the whole funded PhD
- £27,036 a year to cover living costs at the 2027–28 rate
- £2,000 a year for research consumables during the first three years
- Development opportunities through Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute
- Support services for international and disabled students
Think about the numbers. Over 3.5 years, the stipend alone adds up to £94,626 at the 2027–28 rate, before tax. Add the £6,000 consumables fund, and the total package reaches about £100,626. Full tuition sits on top of that. London costs more than most UK cities, so test your budget against the stipend before you commit — our guide on how to find affordable universities abroad is a useful companion read here.
Who Can Apply
You can apply if you meet one of these academic routes:
- Route 1: A first-class undergraduate degree or equivalent
- Route 2: A first-class integrated Master’s degree
- Route 3: A standalone Master’s degree with distinction
If your undergraduate result falls short, the Master’s route may still work for you. Imperial also considers exceptional cases involving extenuating circumstances, and it encourages applicants from non-traditional academic or career paths who show strong research potential.
Imperial places no nationality restrictions on the scholarship. Some departments, however, may not support every international candidate, so ask early. Also check visa requirements for your country before you apply — it helps to understand how visa sponsorship differs from a work visa as you plan ahead.
The Step You Cannot Skip: Find a Supervisor
Most people treat the scholarship as the main event. In reality, the supervisor comes first. Imperial requires you to contact a prospective supervisor who agrees to supervise your research before you apply. Here is how the process works:
- Find a supervisor. Look for an Imperial academic whose research matches your interests.
- Check availability. Imperial publishes a list of supervisors who already supervise a President’s Scholar. Each supervisor can take only one President’s Scholar at a time.
- Make contact. Email the academic with a short proposal and ask for a meeting.
- Get agreement. Only apply once the academic confirms they will supervise your project.
- Apply for PhD admission. Submit your application through Imperial’s online admissions system.
- Select the scholarship. Choose the President’s PhD Scholarship in the funding section.
- Wait for assessment. Your department reviews your application and can nominate you for the award.
Your Application Package
You do not submit a separate scholarship form, but your PhD application includes a personal statement with two pages:
- Page one: Personal statement. Explain why you want to study at Imperial, why you want this scholarship, and what achievements make you a strong candidate. If you’re unsure how this differs from a research proposal, our breakdown of statement of purpose vs personal statement covers the distinction.
- Page two: Research proposal. Describe the doctoral research you plan to carry out.
Write in the first person, and keep the language clear and direct. Imperial also asks for two academic referees. Your proposed supervisor cannot be one of them. Good choices include a personal tutor, a thesis supervisor, or another academic who knows your work well — if you need pointers, see our guide on how to ask for a scholarship recommendation letter.
How Imperial Chooses Scholars
Imperial judges applicants on two main areas, and both matter equally.
- Academic excellence: Your transcripts, results, class position, awards, and distinctions all count.
- Research potential: Your past research experience, your curiosity, the quality and impact of your proposal, the departmental assessment, and your interview performance, where one takes place — it’s worth reading up on how to prepare for a scholarship interview ahead of time.
A moving personal story will not carry a weak academic record. Imperial wants strong grades, a convincing research plan, and a supervisor who wants to work with you.
Fields You Can Apply In
The scholarship covers a wide range of subjects, including aeronautics, bioengineering, brain sciences, business, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, computing, design engineering, earth science and engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, immunology and inflammation, life sciences, materials, mathematics, mechanical engineering, medicine and clinical sciences, physics, public health, and surgery and cancer. Exact admission requirements depend on your department and programme. Physics applicants weighing their research options might also want to look at our guide to CERN internships and graduate programmes.
Mistakes That Cost Applicants Their Chance
- Applying before securing a supervisor. Without agreement, your application cannot move forward.
- Approaching a supervisor who is already full. Check the unavailable supervisors list first.
- Choosing a late round without a reason. Round 1 gives you the earliest decision and the most time.
- Writing a generic proposal. Tailor your research plan to the supervisor’s work.
Official Links
🔗 Main Scholarship Page: President’s PhD Scholarship overview
🔗 Unavailable Supervisors List: Check which supervisors already have a President’s Scholar
🔗 Imperial Scholarship Search: Browse all Imperial scholarships
🔗 Postgraduate Doctoral Funding: See all doctoral funding options at Imperial
Imperial runs other funded routes too. You may also want to check Imperial College London Scholarships 2027, worth £15,000 a year for international students.
Comparing other fully funded UK postgraduate routes? You may also want to check the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28.
Still weighing your UK scholarship options? You may also want to check the Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028.
Looking at other fully funded PhD routes outside the UK too? You may also want to check the Monash University PhD Scholarship 2026 in privacy-preserving AI for video analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply for the scholarship separately?
No separate form exists. Apply for PhD admission through Imperial’s online system and choose the President’s PhD Scholarship in the funding section. Before that, you must secure a supervisor who agrees to supervise your project. Your department then assesses your application and nominates candidates for the award.
Can international students apply?
Yes. Imperial states there are no nationality restrictions, and the scholarship covers full tuition fees for international students as well as Home students. However, some departments may not support every international candidate, so check your department’s position early. Also confirm visa requirements for your country.
Which deadline should I aim for?
Aim for Round 1, which closes 2 November 2026 at 23:59 UK time. It gives you the earliest decision, by 31 January 2027, and the most time to secure a supervisor. Round 2 and Round 3 remain open, closing 11 January and 1 March 2027.
Do I need a first-class degree?
Not always. You normally need a first-class undergraduate degree, a first-class integrated Master’s, or a standalone Master’s with distinction. Imperial also reviews exceptional cases with extenuating circumstances and encourages applicants from non-traditional paths who show strong research potential. Talk to your department before you apply.
How much money will I receive in total?
At the 2027–28 rate, the stipend of £27,036 a year adds up to £94,626 over 3.5 years, before tax. Add £6,000 in consumables funding for the first three years, and the total package reaches about £100,626. Full tuition sits on top of that.
What if I cannot find a supervisor in time?
Start with the unavailable supervisors list, which shows who already supervises a President’s Scholar. Then email academics whose research matches yours, attach a short proposal, and ask for a meeting. Without a supervisor’s agreement, you cannot submit a valid application, so this step drives your timeline.