President’s PhD Scholarships 2027-28 at Imperial College London

Doing a PhD in the UK is expensive, and for many strong applicants the money decides everything. The President’s PhD Scholarships 2027-28 at Imperial College London are built to remove that worry. Up to 50 students get their tuition paid, a monthly-style living stipend, and extra research funding, whatever country they come from.

If you have an excellent academic record and a research idea you truly care about, read on. This guide covers the benefits, who can apply, the exact steps, and the three deadlines.

Quick Overview

What Does the President’s PhD Scholarship Cover?

Imperial doesn’t just pay your fees. The package is designed so you can focus on research instead of bills.

• Full tuition fees for the whole PhD programme
• Annual stipend of £27,036 for living costs (please confirm the current figure on the official page before applying)
• £2,000 per year in research consumables for the first three years
• Visa support for international students
• Disability support tailored to individual needs
• Free English language courses for international students
• Access to college clubs, societies and student communities

Why Imperial College London?

Imperial has earned recognition for how it treats its people, not only for its research. Its awards include:

• Stonewall Diversity Champion
• Disability Confident Leader
• Member of the Race Equality Charter
• Athena Swan Silver Award

Doctoral students also get access to advanced learning tools and online courses, and the college pays real attention to student mental health and wellbeing. For a degree that can last more than three years, that matters more than most people expect.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

You should meet all of these points:

1. You can be from any country.
2. You hold a UK first-class bachelor’s or master’s degree, or an equivalent qualification.
3. If your master’s is a stand-alone degree, you need a distinction (or be about to receive one) in a relevant programme.
4. If you have more than one stand-alone master’s, at least one must carry a distinction and be relevant to your proposed PhD.
5. You must have contacted a supervisor and received their confirmation that they will support your research.
6. You must be a new PhD student. Current Imperial PhD students cannot apply.

The supervisor confirmation is where many applicants slip. Reach out early, and send a short, specific message about your research idea rather than a generic email.

Which Subjects and Degrees Are Covered?

The President’s PhD Scholarship funds doctoral (PhD) study only. It is meant for applicants coming from a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and current Imperial PhD students cannot apply.

There is no single fixed subject list. You can apply to an eligible PhD programme in the department that matches your research. Typical research areas at Imperial include:

• Engineering: chemical, mechanical, civil, electrical, materials, computing and bioengineering
• Medicine: brain sciences, infectious disease, public health, surgery and cancer research
• Natural sciences: chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, physics and environmental policy
• Interdisciplinary areas: data science, climate, molecular science, security and global health

How to Apply for the Imperial College London Scholarship

There is no separate scholarship form. Your PhD admission application is also your scholarship application.

1. Find a supervisor and get their confirmation first.
2. Apply through Imperial’s Online Admissions System.
3. Write your personal statement in the first person. Page one covers your personal interests and motivation. Page two contains your research proposal.
4. In the additional questions tab, open the funding section and select the scholarship option. Skip this and you may not be considered.
5. Read your department’s own requirements carefully, because each department asks for slightly different extras.
6. Submit before the deadline for your chosen round.

Documents You Will Need

• Proof of distinction
• Academic certificates or degrees
• Research proposal
• Reference letters (check the college’s reference letter guidelines)

Deadlines

Tip: Aim for Round 1 or Round 2. It gives you time to fix problems with documents or references without panic.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Keep your research proposal focused. A clear question beats a huge, vague one.
• Ask referees early and tell them the deadline.
• Match your proposal to your supervisor’s actual research area.
• If English is not your first language, see our guide on IELTS test charges and exam fees.

More UK and PhD Scholarships You May Like

Not ready to apply here, or want a backup? These are worth a look:

• Imperial College Engineering Scholarship 2026
• Airbus PhD Scholarship at the University of Nottingham
• University of Nottingham Computer Science PhD Studentship
• Queen Mary University of London Scholarships 2027
• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28
• Chevening UK Government Scholarship
• University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship?
No. You apply for admission, and tick the funding option in the additional questions tab.

Can international students apply?
Yes. The scholarship is open to every nationality.

How many scholarships are available?
Up to 50 awards.

How long does the funding last?
Up to 3.5 years.

Can current Imperial PhD students apply?
No. Only new PhD students are eligible.

Final Words

The President’s PhD Scholarships 2027-28 are among the strongest funding offers for doctoral study in the UK. Find your supervisor, prepare a sharp research proposal, and apply in an early round. Always double-check the latest details on Imperial’s official scholarship page before you submit.

Apply Now – Official Link