PhD Scholarships at Imperial College London

Imperial College London’s President’s PhD scholarships provide full funding for tuition fees and a stipend for a 3.5-year PhD place. The scholarships are described as enabling students to undertake a research project of their choosing with support from an Imperial supervisor, plus opportunities with other President’s PhD Scholars.

The scheme accepts applications from talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK and worldwide, with no nationality restrictions. It applies to both full- and part-time study. It is described as open to new PhD applications, with current registered Imperial PhD students not eligible.

Applications are reviewed at three points throughout the academic year. A two-stage process is used: eligible candidates are reviewed by their department, which selects a shortlist to present to the College Selection Panel. The College Selection Panel makes the final decision, with an additional stage for Faculty-level allocation and offers for Alternate Pathways candidates from a ring-fenced strategic allocation.

Support is provided during the 3.5 years of study, including full tuition-fee funding, a per-annum stipend to assist with living costs, and a consumables fund for the first 3 years of study. The scheme also provides a programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI), plus access to support available to postgraduates at Imperial. Successful candidates receive written confirmation, and any PhD place offer is conditional on receiving the predicted qualifications.

• Must be a candidate applying for a PhD through Imperial College London’s online admissions process.
• Scheme eligibility has higher than usual eligibility requirements with an emphasis on excellent academic performance and promising research potential.
• Nationality restrictions: none (applications accepted from Imperial College London, the UK and worldwide; no restrictions on nationality).
• Study status: the scholarship applies to both full- and part-time study.
• PhD application status: only open to new PhD applications; current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible.
• Academic criteria: must be in receipt of, or due to receive, a first class or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated Masters degree; or if this has not been achieved, must be in receipt of, or where this has yet to be received be able to provide evidence of high performance that will lead to, a distinction in a standalone Master’s qualification.
• Alternative academic situation: the scheme allows candidates with excellence at Master’s level but not first class undergraduate degree to apply.
• Single degree requirement: candidates with only a single undergraduate degree or integrated Master’s must still be in receipt of, or due to receive, a first class or equivalent.
• International applicants: should check with the relevant Admissions team that their grades meet the requirements of the scheme.
• Department special case: applicants who have not met advertised eligibility criteria may be selected by their department as a special case if there are extenuating circumstances around why the grades were not acquired, but they are otherwise of the calibre required (e.g., high marks in research project modules; evidence of high performance on research placements). Candidates identifying for this should contact their proposed department directly before applying.
• Alternate pathways: candidates with non-traditional academic and/or career pathways who show strong research potential are encouraged to apply.
• Other criteria: some departments may be unable to support international candidates.

• Full funding for tuition fees.
• Stipend of £27,036 (2027-28 rate) per annum to assist with living costs.
• Consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study.
• A programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI).
• Access to the full range of support available to postgraduates at Imperial, including tailored support for disabled and international students, and wider Early Career Researcher Institute Learning and development courses.

1. Before applying, make contact with a supervisor in an academic department at Imperial College London who has agreed to supervise your research project.
2. Use the online admissions system to submit your application for admission to study at Imperial.
3. Ensure your department will put you forward for the scholarship based on academic merit and potential.
4. Follow any additional application requirements stated by your department of choice.
5. In the online application form, select the President’s PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab.
6. In “Supporting documents”, submit a personal statement that is a 2-page document (page 1: motivations for applying to Imperial and the scholarship and any other supporting information not included elsewhere on the form; page 2: your research proposal). Updated versions may be submitted if required after application submission if the department shortlists you for the scholarship.
7. When prompted for names of two academic referees, provide two people who can provide an academic reference (do not include your proposed PhD supervisor). Share guidance with referees, including the recommendation to use ‘they/them’ language.
8. Submit the application for admission; applications are considered at three points throughout the academic year.

• A personal statement in “Supporting documents” that is a 2-page document with specified contents (motivations and supporting information on page 1; research proposal on page 2).
• Evidence related to eligibility based on academic criteria (first class/equivalent or distinction in a standalone Master’s qualification; or evidence of high performance leading to this).
• Names of two academic referees who can provide an academic reference in support of the application.
• If a department requires a research proposal option under “Supporting documents,” a more detailed research proposal document should be provided.