About this opportunity
The Imperial College London President's PhD Scholarship 2027 offers 50 fully funded PhD places for outstanding researchers of any nationality, with full tuition fees, a £27,036 yearly stipend and a £2,000 annual consumables fund for 3.5 years. You choose your own research project with an Imperial supervisor who has agreed to supervise you, and there is no separate scholarship form: select the President's PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of your Imperial PhD application. The first deadline is 2 November 2026, with further rounds on 11 January and 1 March 2027.
The Imperial College London President's PhD Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded scholarship offered by Imperial College London for applicants heading to United Kingdom. Applications close on Nov 2, 2026.
Who should apply?
This may be a fit if the following points describe you. Always use the official criteria as the final check.
- Hold, or be due to receive, a first class or equivalent undergraduate or integrated master's degree, or hold (or be on track for) a distinction in a standalone master's qualification
- Be a new PhD applicant: current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible
- Have contacted an Imperial academic supervisor who has agreed to supervise your proposed research project
- Meet the admission requirements of your chosen Imperial department and PhD programme
- Be of any nationality: there are no nationality restrictions, although some departments may be unable to support international candidates
- Apply for full-time or part-time PhD study at Imperial College London
- Show excellent academic performance and promising research potential, assessed on results, transcripts, class position, awards and research experience
What the opportunity may offer
- Full funding for tuition fees, including overseas fees, for 3.5 years
- Living stipend of £27,036 per year at the 2027-28 rate
- Consumables fund of £2,000 per year for the first 3 years of study
- 50 scholarships available each year across all Imperial faculties and research areas
- A programme of bespoke cohort opportunities and events delivered by the Early Career Researcher Institute
- Access to the full range of Imperial postgraduate support, including tailored support for disabled and international students
- Freedom to pursue a research project of your own choosing with an excellent supervisor
- Automatic consideration for a standard unfunded PhD place if you are not selected for the scholarship
Required documents
- Online Imperial PhD admission application, with the President's PhD Scholarship option selected in the funding section of the additional questions tab
- A 2-page supporting document: page 1 personal statement and page 2 research proposal
- A more detailed research proposal document if your department requires one
- Academic transcripts and evidence of qualifications meeting the first class or distinction standard
- Contact details for two academic referees, excluding your proposed PhD supervisor
- Any additional documents required by your chosen department
Application process
- Explore Imperial doctoral programmes and identify an academic supervisor in your field
- Contact the supervisor and secure their agreement to supervise your proposed research project
- Check the President's PhD Scholarships unavailable supervisors list before applying
- Submit your PhD admission application through the Imperial online admissions system
- Select the President's PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab
- Upload the 2-page personal statement and research proposal document and referee details
- Submit by your chosen round deadline: 2 November 2026, 11 January 2027 or 1 March 2027; departments shortlist, then the College Selection Panel makes final offers
Before you apply
- □Apply before Nov 2, 2026 — confirm the date in your own time zone
- □Confirm that you meet every eligibility condition set by Imperial College London
- □Prepare your 6 required documents in the format asked for
- □Ask referees early and share the official instructions
- □Review the official source once more before submitting
Deadline notes
Applications are reviewed in three rounds. Round 1 closes at 23:59 UK time on 2 November 2026 (notified by 31 January 2027); Round 2 closes at 23:59 UK time on 11 January 2027 (notified by 15 April 2027); Round 3 closes at 23:59 UK time on 1 March 2027 (notified by 31 May 2027). Funded places start between 1 August 2027 and 1 November 2027. Missing Round 1 does not end your chances, as later rounds remain open.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Imperial President's PhD Scholarship worth?
Full tuition fees for 3.5 years, a £27,036 per year stipend at the 2027-28 rate, and a £2,000 per year consumables fund for the first 3 years.
What are the application deadlines?
Three rounds: 2 November 2026, 11 January 2027 and 1 March 2027, all at 23:59 UK time, with notifications by 31 January 2027, 15 April 2027 and 31 May 2027 respectively.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
Yes. You must have contacted an Imperial academic supervisor who has agreed to supervise your research project before you apply.
Is there a separate scholarship application form?
No. You apply through the Imperial PhD admissions system and select the President's PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab.
Who is eligible academically?
You need a first class or equivalent undergraduate or integrated master's degree, or a distinction in a standalone master's qualification. Departments can also put forward special cases with extenuating circumstances, and there is an Alternate Pathways route for non-traditional backgrounds.
Programme details can change. Check the original listing before you prepare or submit an application.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-25UShireZone is not affiliated with Imperial College London. We never charge applicants to apply. Always verify details and submit through the official website.