Quick answer: Imperial College London’s President’s PhD Scholarships offer 50 funded doctoral places, full tuition, an annual stipend and a research consumables allowance. The 2027–28 scholarship consideration deadlines are 2 November 2026, 11 January 2027 and 1 March 2027, each at 23:59 UK time. Applicants need an Imperial supervisor willing to support their project before applying. There is no separate scholarship form.
Official details checked 22 October 2026. Always confirm department-specific admissions and scholarship requirements before applying.
Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship at a glance
| Feature | 2027–28 details |
|---|---|
| Number of awards | 50 |
| Tuition | Full tuition fees |
| Living stipend | £27,036 per year (2027–28 rate) |
| Research consumables | £2,000 per year for the first three years |
| Funded period | 3.5 years |
| Nationality | Open worldwide; department-specific restrictions may apply |
| Application route | Apply for doctoral admission and indicate the scholarship funding route |
2027–28 application deadlines and decisions
| Scholarship consideration round | Submit by (UK time) | Successful applicants notified by |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 2 November 2026, 23:59 | 31 January 2027 |
| Round 2 | 11 January 2027, 23:59 | 15 April 2027 |
| Round 3 | 1 March 2027, 23:59 | 31 May 2027 |
These are three scholarship consideration rounds, not three guarantees of remaining funded places. Some departments can have different internal requirements or earlier practical deadlines. The funded PhD start window listed for this intake runs from 1 August to 1 November 2027.
Eligibility and supervisor requirements
The scholarship targets exceptional academic achievement and research potential. Imperial’s published eligibility guidance includes a first-class undergraduate or integrated master’s qualification, or a distinction in a standalone master’s degree in specified circumstances. Check academic equivalency and any exceptions with the relevant department. The programme accepts candidates from the UK and abroad and supports full- and part-time study.
Before applying: contact an Imperial academic who has agreed to supervise your proposed research. Supervisor capacity is limited. A strong academic record alone does not replace this step.
How to apply: seven-step checklist
- Choose a doctoral research topic and identify an appropriate Imperial department.
- Contact a prospective supervisor with a concise research-fit explanation and secure agreement.
- Read the department’s PhD admission criteria, language requirements and supporting-document instructions.
- Prepare the scholarship-specific two-page document, including the personal statement and research proposal sections described by Imperial.
- Arrange academic referees and check that the proposed supervisor is not used in a prohibited referee role.
- Submit the PhD application via Imperial’s admissions system, selecting the President’s PhD Scholarship funding option where requested.
- Submit before the relevant round and monitor departmental correspondence.
Personal statement vs research proposal
| Document | What it needs to answer |
|---|---|
| Personal statement | Why this doctorate, why this research area, why Imperial, and what academic preparation supports the application? |
| Research proposal | What is the research question, why does it matter, how could it be investigated, and why is this supervisor or research group a good fit? |
For document preparation, use the Course Centrals academic CV guide and the graduate recommendation letter guide. For alternative funding, browse the Scholarship Finder and the UK master’s scholarship guide (note that master’s awards are a different study level).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating 2 November as the only scholarship deadline, or treating 1 March as a guaranteed open opportunity for every department.
- Submitting before securing supervisor agreement.
- Overlooking the scholarship selection within the doctoral admission process.
- Using generic research statements without demonstrating fit.
- Confusing scholarship consideration dates with departmental admissions dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. Imperial lists full tuition, a £27,036 annual stipend at the 2027–28 rate, and a £2,000 annual consumables allowance for the first three years.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes. Imperial states there is no general nationality restriction, although applicants must verify departmental requirements and supervision capacity.
Is there a separate scholarship form?
No. Applicants apply for PhD admission and indicate the relevant scholarship funding option; departments put forward candidates.
What is the last listed scholarship consideration deadline?
1 March 2027 at 23:59 UK time, subject to the programme and department’s separate requirements.
Official source and next steps
Start with Imperial’s official President’s PhD Scholarships page. Confirm the relevant department and supervisor, then prepare your documents and submit the doctoral admission application. Course Centrals is an independent information resource and does not administer the award.