Applications are open for the Imperial College London Scholarships 2027, offering 50 fully funded doctoral places to outstanding students from around the world.
The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides a £27,036 annual living stipend, along with £2,000 per year for research consumables during the first three years. Funding lasts for 3.5 years, allowing selected researchers to pursue their PhD at one of the UK’s leading science, engineering and medical research universities.
Both UK and international applicants are eligible, with no general nationality restrictions. Students from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria and other countries can apply if they meet Imperial’s academic requirements.
There are three application rounds for the 2027–28 intake. The first closes on 2 November 2026, followed by deadlines on 11 January and 1 March 2027.
Unlike many scholarships, the President’s PhD Scholarship does not have a separate application form. Applicants submit a regular PhD admissions application, indicate their interest in the scholarship and are considered through their academic department.
However, there is one important condition: you must find an Imperial supervisor who agrees to supervise your research before applying.
This guide explains the scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, application dates, documents and supervisor selection process using information published by Imperial College London.
Imperial College London Scholarships 2027 Overview
| Scholarship details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | President’s PhD Scholarships |
| Host university | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Academic year | 2027–2028 |
| Degree level | PhD |
| Number of scholarships | 50 |
| Eligible applicants | UK and international students |
| Tuition fees | Fully covered |
| Annual living stipend | £27,036 |
| Research consumables | £2,000 annually for the first three years |
| Funding duration | 3.5 years |
| Study mode | Full-time or part-time |
| Earliest funded start | 1 August 2027 |
| Latest funded start | 1 November 2027 |
| First application deadline | 2 November 2026 |
| Second application deadline | 11 January 2027 |
| Final application deadline | 1 March 2027 |
| Separate scholarship form | Not required |
| Supervisor agreement | Required before applying |
Official scholarship website: Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships
What Is the Imperial College London Scholarships 2027?
The President’s PhD Scholarship is one of Imperial College London’s major doctoral funding opportunities. It supports academically exceptional students who show strong potential to conduct original research.
Rather than restricting applicants to a small list of predetermined projects, the programme allows students to develop a research proposal in an area that interests them, provided they secure the support of a suitable Imperial supervisor.
The scholarship also gives students access to professional development and networking opportunities through Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute.
It is available across a range of Imperial’s research departments, including engineering, computing, chemistry, physics, life sciences, medicine and other eligible disciplines.
Selection is competitive. The university considers both academic achievement and research potential, so excellent grades alone do not guarantee funding.
What Does the Imperial College London Scholarships 2027 Cover?
Each President’s PhD Scholarship offers funding for 3.5 years of doctoral study.
Full Tuition Fee Coverage in Imperial College London Scholarships 2027
Imperial pays the tuition fees for scholarship recipients, whether they are classified as Home or Overseas students.
This is an important benefit for international applicants, who would otherwise be responsible for the higher overseas tuition fees applicable to their chosen research programme.
The scholarship covers tuition within its funded period. Applicants interested in longer combined degrees should confirm the funding arrangements with their department.
£27,036 Annual Living Stipend
Selected scholars receive a maintenance stipend of £27,036 per year at the 2027–28 rate to help cover living expenses in London.
That is equivalent to approximately £2,253 per month when expressed as an annual average.
The amount is the published rate for 2027–28. Applicants should check the award conditions for payment arrangements and any changes during subsequent academic years.
Although this is substantial financial support, London can be expensive, particularly when it comes to accommodation. Students should budget carefully rather than assume that the scholarship automatically covers every personal expense.
Research Consumables Funding
Scholars receive an additional £2,000 per year for the first three years of their PhD.
This provides up to £6,000 in research consumables support.
The fund is intended for research-related expenses under Imperial’s rules. It should not be treated as additional personal spending money or added directly to the living stipend.
Research and Professional Development
President’s PhD Scholars also benefit from dedicated activities and development opportunities organised through the Early Career Researcher Institute.
These may include professional development, networking with other researchers and access to training designed to support academic and research careers.
Scholars can also use Imperial’s wider postgraduate support services.
Official funding details: President’s PhD Scholarship Benefits
Who Is Eligible for the Imperial College London PhD Scholarships 2027?
Imperial sets higher academic requirements for this scholarship than the minimum requirements for some ordinary doctoral programmes.
Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic ability and promising research potential.
Academic Qualifications
Candidates normally qualify through one of two academic routes.
Route 1: First-Class Undergraduate Degree
Applicants must have received, or be expected to receive, a first-class undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification.
A first-class integrated Master’s degree can also satisfy this condition.
Route 2: Distinction in a Standalone Master’s Degree
Applicants who did not achieve a first-class undergraduate degree may still qualify if they have earned, or are expected to earn, a distinction in a standalone Master’s degree.
This is an important opportunity for students whose academic performance improved significantly during postgraduate study.
Imperial also permits departments to put forward exceptional candidates as special cases where extenuating circumstances explain why the normal academic thresholds were not achieved.
Candidates hoping to be considered through this exception should contact their proposed department before applying.
Other Eligibility Conditions
Applicants must be seeking admission to a new PhD programme at Imperial.
Students already registered for an Imperial PhD are not eligible for this scholarship.
There is no general nationality restriction, and both full-time and part-time study can be supported. However, certain departments may have restrictions affecting their ability to admit or fund international candidates.
Most importantly, candidates need a prospective supervisor who has agreed to support their research project.
Imperial encourages applicants from different academic and professional backgrounds, including those who have followed non-traditional career paths.
Official source: Imperial President’s Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Can Pakistani Students Apply for Imperial College London PhD Scholarships?
Yes. Pakistani students are eligible to apply because the scholarship does not restrict nationality.
However, applicants must meet both the doctoral admission requirements and the scholarship’s academic excellence criteria.
Imperial’s country-specific guidance states that applicants from Pakistan should generally hold a four-year Bachelor’s degree awarded from 2016 onwards by a qualifying Higher Education Commission (HEC)-funded university, with an overall mark of at least 75%.
The university may require higher grades from particular institutions. For Bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2015 or earlier, additional Master’s-level study is normally required.
The 75% admission benchmark is not an automatic guarantee that a qualification meets the first-class standard for this scholarship.
Pakistani students should contact the relevant Imperial admissions team to confirm whether their academic qualifications satisfy the President’s PhD Scholarship requirements.
Applicants with a strong standalone Master’s degree should also ask whether it meets Imperial’s distinction-equivalence standard.
Previous research projects, publications, laboratory experience, conference presentations and other relevant achievements may help demonstrate research potential.
You can check the official country-specific requirements here: Imperial Accepted International Qualifications.
Imperial College London PhD Scholarship 2027 Deadlines
Imperial is accepting applications through three rounds for the 2027–28 academic year.
| Application round | Deadline | Successful applicants notified 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 |
All three application deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. UK time.
These are separate selection rounds. Applicants do not need to submit three applications.
The first deadline may be suitable for students who already have a supervisor’s agreement and a well-prepared research proposal.
Those still developing their project or contacting supervisors can consider the January or March round.
However, applicants should not assume that securing a supervisor will be easy shortly before the final deadline.
Imperial requires successful scholarship recipients to begin their funded PhD between 1 August and 1 November 2027.
Students should check their department’s admissions instructions as well, because departmental requirements or internal procedures may affect their application preparation.
Finding a PhD Supervisor for Imperial College London Scholarships
For this scholarship, securing a supervisor is not just a recommendation. It is a formal requirement.
Before submitting an application, you must contact an academic member of staff at Imperial who agrees to supervise your proposed PhD project.
This means you should not begin by sending a general application to the university without considering the research groups and academics relevant to your interests.
Where to Find a Supervisor
Start with Imperial’s doctoral courses and research departments.
Look for researchers whose work aligns with your intended project.
Read their recent publications and research-group information to understand what they are currently investigating.
Your first contact should explain your academic background, research interests and why you believe your proposed project would fit their expertise.
A short, relevant email is generally more useful than sending the same generic message to dozens of academics.
Check the Unavailable Supervisors List
Imperial has an important restriction for the President’s PhD Scholarship: a primary supervisor may supervise only one President’s PhD Scholar at a time.
The university maintains a list of supervisors who are not currently available to accept another student under this scheme.
Checking this list before contacting someone could save considerable time.
Official link: Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships — Unavailable Supervisors
What Should You Discuss With a Potential Supervisor?
Try to establish whether your research idea is suitable for the department, whether the supervisor has the expertise and capacity to support it, and whether the proposed project is realistic for a PhD.
You can also ask whether the department has additional requirements for President’s PhD Scholarship candidates.
A supervisor’s agreement allows you to proceed with the application, but it does not guarantee that the department will nominate you or that Imperial will award funding.
Imperial provides further advice on finding and contacting a PhD supervisor.
Documents Required for Imperial College London Scholarships 2027
The scholarship application is handled through Imperial’s normal PhD admissions process.
Applicants should prepare their academic documents and scholarship-specific supporting statement before submitting the form.
Typical requirements include:
- Academic transcripts from previous degrees.
- Degree certificates or evidence of expected completion.
- A two-page supporting statement following the President’s Scholarship format.
- A more detailed research proposal if requested by the department.
- Contact information for two academic referees.
- Details of the prospective Imperial supervisor.
- Evidence of English-language proficiency where required.
- Any additional documents specified by the intended department.
The Two-Page Supporting Statement
Imperial requires a particular format for the supporting statement submitted by President’s PhD Scholarship applicants.
Page One: Personal Statement
Use the first page to explain why you want to undertake doctoral research at Imperial and why you are applying for the President’s PhD Scholarship.
You can discuss relevant academic preparation, previous research, technical skills, achievements and experiences that demonstrate your readiness for independent research.
The aim is to help the selection panel understand what makes you a strong candidate.
Page Two: Research Proposal
The second page should introduce your proposed research project.
Explain what you want to investigate, why the problem matters and how you intend to approach it.
The proposal should be sufficiently clear for assessors to understand its originality and likely contribution.
Imperial encourages applicants to write in the first person.
Both pages should be uploaded together using the Personal Statement option under Supporting Documents.
If the department requires a longer research proposal, upload that separately under the Research Proposal option.
Two Academic References
Applicants must provide details of two academic referees capable of commenting on their academic abilities and research potential.
Suitable referees may include a previous thesis supervisor, university tutor or lecturer familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
Your proposed Imperial PhD supervisor cannot serve as one of these two academic referees.
Applicants should contact their referees early and explain the academic standards and research focus of the scholarship.
Read Imperial’s doctoral application reference guidance.
How to Apply for the Imperial College London Scholarships 2027?
There is no separate scholarship website where students independently submit a President’s PhD Scholarship form.
Instead, the process is integrated into Imperial’s doctoral admission system.
Step 1: Select a Research Area
Identify an Imperial department and research field that match your qualifications and academic interests.
Review available research groups, existing projects and relevant faculty members.
Step 2: Secure a Supervisor’s Agreement
Contact a potential supervisor, discuss your proposed research and obtain their agreement before applying.
Remember to check the list of supervisors who are unavailable for new President’s Scholars.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Gather academic transcripts, qualification documents and the two academic references.
Prepare the required two-page supporting statement and any additional research proposal requested by your department.
Step 4: Submit the Doctoral Application
Apply through Imperial’s official postgraduate doctoral admissions system.
Official application instructions: Apply for Postgraduate Doctoral Study at Imperial
Step 5: Select the Scholarship Funding Option
Within the online application, go to the Additional Questions tab.
In the funding section, select the option for the President’s PhD Scholarship.
This indicates that you want to be considered for the award.
Step 6: Complete Any Departmental Assessment
Your department will review the application and assess your suitability.
You may be invited to an interview or asked to provide further information about your project.
Departments select candidates to put forward for scholarship consideration, after which Imperial completes the selection process.
Step 7: Receive the Scholarship Decision
If successful, you will receive written confirmation of the scholarship.
Decisions are communicated according to the round in which the application was considered.
Students who are not selected for the scholarship are still considered for a standard PhD place, although an ordinary admission offer does not automatically include funding.
Is There an Application Fee for Imperial College London Scholarships 2027?
Imperial states that applications to standard postgraduate doctoral degrees, including PhD and EngD programmes, do not require an application processing fee.
This also applies to eligible combined MRes + PhD programmes identified in the university’s fee policy.
However, some standalone Master’s and Business School research-Master’s applications have separate fees.
For an ordinary PhD application under the President’s PhD Scholarship route, the application processing fee is £0.
Official Imperial postgraduate application fee policy
Is IELTS Required Imperial College London Scholarships 2027
The scholarship does not have a separate universal IELTS score requirement.
However, applicants must satisfy the English-language requirements of their chosen Imperial programme.
Imperial uses Standard and Higher English-language levels, depending on the course.
For IELTS Academic, the published requirements include:
| English level | Overall IELTS score | Minimum per component |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Higher | 7.0 | 6.5 |
Other approved qualifications and language tests may be accepted.
Some applicants may qualify for an English-language exemption based on Imperial’s published criteria.
A student does not necessarily need to have completed an English test before submitting the initial application. Where required, language proficiency can form part of the conditions attached to an admission offer.
Before applying, check Imperial’s official English-language requirements and the rules for your intended department.
How Are Scholarship Winners Selected?
Imperial uses a competitive two-stage selection process.
First, academic departments review eligible candidates and select those they wish to put forward for scholarship consideration.
Final decisions are made through the university’s selection arrangements, including faculty assessment and the College Selection Panel.
The university focuses on two central areas.
Academic excellence is demonstrated through previous grades, transcripts, class position, academic prizes and distinctions.
Research potential is assessed through previous research experience, intellectual curiosity, the proposed research project and the candidate’s ability to contribute to their field.
The department’s evaluation, including interview performance where applicable, also informs the process.
This means a strong academic transcript matters, but a clear and feasible research proposal is equally important.
Applicants should be able to explain what they want to investigate, why the work is worth doing and why their chosen Imperial research group is an appropriate place to undertake it.
Can You Apply Without Research Publications for Imperial College London Scholarships 2027?
Imperial does not publish a universal requirement that every President’s PhD Scholarship applicant must already have a journal publication.
Publications may strengthen an application by providing evidence of research experience and achievement, but they are not the only way to demonstrate research potential.
A strong Master’s thesis, substantial undergraduate research project, independent experimental work, research internship or other relevant experience may also help demonstrate preparedness.
The key is to describe your actual contribution and explain the skills you developed.
Applicants should avoid exaggerating their role in collaborative research or claiming publication achievements that cannot be verified.
Is the Imperial College London Scholarships 2027 Enough to Live in London?
The published annual stipend of £27,036 offers meaningful support for living expenses.
However, living costs vary substantially depending on rent, location, transport, food and personal circumstances.
Imperial’s own living-cost guidance provides estimates to help students prepare a budget.
Scholarship recipients should pay particular attention to accommodation deposits, initial moving expenses and other costs associated with arriving in the UK.
The President’s PhD Scholarship covers tuition and provides a living allowance, but it should not be advertised as guaranteeing free accommodation or reimbursement of every personal cost.
Other Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the UK
Students considering the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship may also be interested in other doctoral funding opportunities with different eligibility requirements and selection processes.
The University of Warwick PhD Scholarships 2027 offer up to 80 research awards across several funding streams, with full tuition support and living stipends for eligible recipients.
At Oxford, the Clarendon Scholarship 2027 funds outstanding graduate applicants across a wide range of academic fields. Unlike Imperial’s President’s Scholarship, Clarendon consideration is normally automatic when an eligible course application is submitted by the relevant funding deadline.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 provides full-cost postgraduate funding for eligible applicants from outside the United Kingdom. Its selection criteria also consider leadership and a commitment to improving lives.
Students specifically seeking doctoral support at Cambridge can explore the Cambridge International Scholarship 2027.
Checking several opportunities can help applicants choose the universities and research environments best suited to their interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Imperial College London PhD Scholarship 2027 open?
Yes. Imperial is accepting applications for the 2027–28 President’s PhD Scholarship competition. The first deadline is 2 November 2026.
What is the final deadline for the President’s PhD Scholarship 2027?
The final application deadline is 1 March 2027 at 11:59 p.m. UK time. Earlier rounds close on 2 November 2026 and 11 January 2027.
How many scholarships are available?
Imperial offers 50 President’s PhD Scholarships.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides a £27,036 annual stipend at the 2027–28 rate, plus research consumables funding for the first three years.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. Pakistani students can apply if their qualifications meet Imperial’s academic requirements and they obtain agreement from an eligible supervisor.
Can I apply with a second-class Bachelor’s degree?
Applicants who did not achieve a first-class undergraduate degree may qualify if they have a distinction in a standalone Master’s degree. Departments may also consider exceptional cases involving extenuating circumstances.
Is a Master’s degree compulsory?
Not necessarily. Applicants with a first-class undergraduate degree or qualifying integrated Master’s degree may meet the scholarship’s academic requirements without a separate Master’s qualification.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
Yes. You must contact an Imperial academic who agrees to supervise your research before submitting the scholarship application.
Can I apply without IELTS?
There is no separate IELTS requirement for the scholarship, but applicants must meet their chosen course’s English-language conditions through accepted evidence or an applicable exemption.
Do I need to pay an application fee?
Standard PhD applications at Imperial do not require an application processing fee.
Is there a separate scholarship application form?
No. Applicants use Imperial’s normal PhD admissions application and select the President’s PhD Scholarship funding option.
Can existing Imperial PhD students apply?
No. The scholarship is available to applicants for new PhD places, not students already registered for an Imperial PhD.
When will applicants receive scholarship decisions?
Successful applicants will be notified by 31 January, 15 April or 31 May 2027, depending on the application round.
Final Thoughts
The Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027 offer substantial financial support for students who want to pursue doctoral research in the United Kingdom.
With 50 funded places, full tuition coverage, a £27,036 annual living stipend and dedicated research support, the programme is worth considering for students with strong academic records and clear research interests.
The application process is straightforward in one respect: there is no separate scholarship form. But finding a suitable supervisor and securing their agreement requires preparation, and candidates need to demonstrate both academic excellence and research potential.
If you are interested in applying, begin by researching Imperial’s academic departments and identifying potential supervisors. Prepare your two-page supporting statement carefully, arrange two academic references and ensure your application follows the department’s requirements.
For the 2027–28 competition, the three deadlines are 2 November 2026, 11 January 2027 and 1 March 2027.
Applications should be submitted through Imperial College London’s official admissions system.
Official Scholarship Website: Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027
Apply for Doctoral Study: Imperial College London Postgraduate Admissions
Check Supervisor Availability: President’s PhD Scholarships — Unavailable Supervisors
Last verified: 16 October 2026. Scholarship conditions and departmental application requirements can change. Applicants should check the official Imperial College London website before applying.