Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship 2027

The Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 offer 50 fully funded doctoral places at Imperial College London. Each award covers full tuition fees, provides a £27,036 annual living stipend for 3.5 years, and includes £2,000 per year for research consumables during the first three years. Applications are open to candidates worldwide, but you must first secure an Imperial supervisor who agrees to supervise your proposed research.

Next scholarship deadline: 2 November 2026 at 23:59 UK time.

Application route: Apply for PhD admission through Imperial’s online system and select the President’s PhD Scholarship in the funding section. There is no separate scholarship form.

Illustrative international researchers for Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 with 50 funded awards and 2 November 2026 deadline — Illustrative ScholarshipHubNow artwork; this is not a photograph of an Imperial College London campus or laboratory.

Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship 2027–28: quick facts

Host institution	Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Study level	PhD / doctoral research
Number of awards	50
Funding period	3.5 years
Tuition	Full tuition-fee funding
Living stipend	£27,036 per year at the 2027–28 rate
Research support	£2,000 per year for consumables in the first three years
Nationality	Open worldwide; no nationality restriction
Study mode	Full-time or part-time
Separate scholarship form	No
Application fee	No fee for a standard postgraduate doctoral application such as a PhD; Imperial Business School doctoral applications are an exception and carry a £90 fee for 2027–28
Deadlines	2 November 2026, 11 January 2027, or 1 March 2027, each at 23:59 UK time
Funded start window	1 August to 1 November 2027

What does the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship cover?

The scholarship is designed as full doctoral funding, not a tuition discount. The official package includes:

Full tuition fees for the 3.5-year funded period.
£27,036 per year toward living costs at the published 2027–28 rate.
£2,000 per year in consumables funding for the first three years. This research budget is administered through the supervisor’s Imperial account rather than paid as personal cash.
A programme of development opportunities and cohort events delivered through Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute.
Access to Imperial’s wider postgraduate support, including services for international and disabled students.

Applicants should still budget separately for costs that are not explicitly listed in the scholarship package, such as visa charges, the Immigration Health Surcharge, relocation and travel. Imperial’s scholarship page does not state that these expenses are covered.

Who is eligible?

You may be considered if you meet all of the following core conditions:

You are applying for a new PhD place at Imperial for 2027–28. Current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible.
You can demonstrate exceptional academic performance and strong research potential.
You have, or expect to obtain, the required academic standard. The scheme’s terms use a first-class degree or international equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated master’s programme; applicants without that result must hold or expect a distinction in a standalone master’s qualification.
You have contacted an eligible Imperial academic who has agreed to supervise your research project.
You meet the academic, research and English-language requirements of the department and PhD programme.

Applicants may be from any country. Imperial also encourages candidates with non-traditional academic or career pathways who can demonstrate strong research potential. However, the university notes that some departments may be unable to support international candidates, so confirm departmental capacity with your proposed supervisor before applying.

Documents and information to prepare

Requirements can vary by department, but the scholarship instructions identify the following essential items:

Academic transcripts and degree information.
A two-page supporting document: page one is your personal statement explaining your motivation for Imperial and the scholarship; page two is your research proposal.
A more detailed research proposal if your department requires one.
Contact details for two academic referees. Your proposed PhD supervisor must not be one of them.
Evidence requested by the chosen department, which may include a CV, programme-specific documents or an interview.
English-language evidence if required. Imperial says you do not need to satisfy the English condition before submitting the application, but you must meet the applicable requirement before enrolment.

Upload documents in the format requested in My Imperial and check the individual department page before submission. A department’s internal nomination timetable may be earlier than the university-wide scholarship deadline.

How to apply for the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships

Choose an Imperial research area. Identify the department, research group and doctoral route that match your proposal.
Find a willing supervisor. Contact a suitable Imperial academic, discuss the proposed project and obtain agreement to supervise. Check the official unavailable-supervisors list before relying on a supervisor.
Prepare the scholarship statement. Combine the one-page personal statement and one-page research proposal into the required two-page supporting document.
Arrange two academic referees. Choose referees who know your academic and research work; do not name the proposed supervisor.
Apply for PhD admission online. Submit the doctoral application through My Imperial and complete every department-specific requirement.
Select the scholarship. In the additional questions tab, choose the President’s PhD Scholarship in the funding section. This step is required for consideration.
Complete the departmental process. Attend an interview if invited. The department, not the applicant, nominates shortlisted candidates to the university selection panel.

Apply Now at Imperial College London

Application deadlines and UK time

Application deadline	Official cutoff	Scholarship result by
2 November 2026	23:59 UK time	31 January 2027
11 January 2027	23:59 UK time	15 April 2027
1 March 2027	23:59 UK time	31 May 2027

All three rounds are part of the same 2027–28 competition. Earlier submission may improve practical options because supervisors can support only one President’s PhD Scholar at a time and departments need time to assess and nominate candidates. Follow the exact deadline shown by your department if it is earlier.

Practical applicant notes

Supervisor agreement is essential. A strong application submitted without prior supervisor agreement does not follow the scholarship procedure.
There is no separate scholarship portal. Scholarship consideration is embedded in the PhD admission application.
Use evidence, not general claims. Connect publications, projects, methods, prizes and research outputs directly to the proposed doctoral question.
Explain the project’s contribution. Selection considers the research plan, its potential contribution, previous research experience and interview performance.
Check fees carefully. Standard PhD applications have no application fee. Imperial Business School’s MRes/doctoral applications are the stated exception for 2027–28.
Unsuccessful scholarship applicants remain in the admission process. Imperial states that candidates not selected for this award are automatically considered for a standard PhD place.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. Imperial describes the award as full funding for tuition fees plus a £27,036 annual stipend for 3.5 years and £2,000 per year in research consumables for the first three years.

Can international students apply?

Yes. Applications are accepted worldwide without a nationality restriction, although Imperial notes that some departments may be unable to support international candidates.

Do I need a separate scholarship application?

No. Apply for PhD admission and select the President’s PhD Scholarship in the funding section. The department nominates eligible applicants.

Must I find a supervisor before applying?

Yes. The official instructions require applicants to contact an Imperial supervisor who agrees to supervise the proposed research before submitting the scholarship-linked PhD application.

Is there an Imperial PhD application fee?

A standard postgraduate doctoral application such as a PhD has no fee. For 2027–28, Imperial lists a £90 fee for Imperial Business School MRes/doctoral applications, so Business School applicants should check the current fee page.