Who this is for: Outstanding graduates of any nationality with a first-class bachelor’s or integrated master’s degree, or a distinction in a master’s, who want to start a PhD at Imperial College London in 2027.
Imperial College London, consistently ranked among the world’s top ten universities, offers 50 President’s PhD Scholarships for 2027–28. Each pays full tuition fees, a stipend of £27,036 a year and £2,000 a year for research consumables (for the first three years), for a 3.5-year PhD in any Imperial department.
Remaining deadlines: 11 January 2027 and 1 March 2027 (23:59 UK time). The first round closed on 2 November 2026. Some departments set earlier internal deadlines, so check yours.
At a Glance
| Host | Imperial College London, UK |
| Places | 50 across the College |
| Covers | Full tuition fees, £27,036 a year stipend (2027–28 rate) and £2,000 a year for consumables |
| Duration | 3.5 years |
| Who can apply | All nationalities, with a first-class degree or a master’s distinction |
| Start | Between 1 August and 1 November 2027 |
| Deadlines | 11 January 2027 (results by 15 April) · 1 March 2027 (results by 31 May) |
About the Scholarships
The President’s PhD Scholarships are Imperial’s flagship doctoral awards. You apply for a PhD in the normal way, and your department nominates you for the scholarship. Departments shortlist their strongest candidates and a College panel makes the final decision. Scholars also get access to events run by Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute.
Benefits
- Full tuition fees, at the international rate if that applies to you
- A stipend of £27,036 a year (2027–28 rate) for living costs in London
- £2,000 a year for research consumables in the first three years
- Funding for a 3.5-year PhD
- Access to Early Career Researcher Institute events
Eligibility
- No nationality restriction, although some departments may not be able to support international candidates.
- A first-class (or equivalent) undergraduate or integrated master’s degree, held or expected; or a distinction in a standalone master’s.
- You must be a new PhD applicant. Current Imperial PhD students can’t apply.
- Full-time and part-time study are both possible.
- You must have an Imperial supervisor who has agreed to take you on (each supervisor can support only one President’s Scholar at a time).
How to Apply
- Find a supervisor in an Imperial department whose research fits yours, and get their agreement to supervise you.
- Apply for the PhD through Imperial’s online admissions system.
- Select the President’s PhD Scholarship in the funding section of the additional questions tab.
- Upload a two-page document: page one is your personal statement, page two your research proposal. Your department may ask for a longer proposal too.
- Name two academic referees, such as a personal tutor or thesis supervisor (not your proposed PhD supervisor).
- Submit by 23:59 UK time on 11 January or 1 March 2027, or by your department’s earlier deadline.
If you’re not selected for the scholarship, you’re still considered for the PhD place itself.
Official President’s PhD Scholarships page · Questions: [email protected]
Tips
- Contact supervisors now. You can’t be nominated without one, and good supervisors fill up quickly.
- Make every line of your two pages count. A focused research proposal agreed with your supervisor is the strongest application.
- Check your department’s internal deadline. Some close weeks before the College dates.
- Choose referees who know your research. A thesis supervisor’s letter carries weight.
Related Opportunities
- University of Exeter EPSRC PhD Studentships 2027
- NINE DTP ESRC PhD Studentships 2027–28
- LSE MPhil/PhD in Demography 2027/28
- City St George’s PhD Studentships in Economics 2027
- 22 Fully Funded Scholarships for Africans Open Now (2027 Intake)
Want only the scholarships you qualify for? Get your free matches on the OpportunityLab Portal.
