- Fully Funded (3.5 yrs)Scholarship type
- Imperial College LondonHost institution
- ~50 / yearAwards
- PhDStudy level
- £25,000+/yr stipendLiving allowance
- Any nationalityEligibility
At a glance
full
Funding
€50k
Max amount
Dec 1, 2026
Deadline
Any country
Country
Imperial College London
Provider
The President's PhD Scholarship is Imperial College London's flagship doctoral scholarship, supporting exceptional students of any nationality to undertake a full-time PhD at one of the world's top science, engineering, medicine, and business universities. Around 50 scholarships are awarded each year across Imperial's departments. The scholarship is fully funded for the duration of the PhD (typically 3.5 years): it covers full tuition fees at the home or overseas rate, an annual living stipend (around £25,000+ per year, in line with or above UKRI rates), and a consumables/research budget of around £2,000 per year for travel and project costs. It is open to home and international applicants alike. To be considered, applicants generally need to identify a PhD project and supervisor at Imperial and secure (or be in the process of securing) a place, then apply for the President's PhD Scholarship by the relevant round deadline. Selection is based on academic excellence and research potential, assessed by departments and the central scheme.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — Full tuition fees (home or overseas rate) for the PhD.
- Annual stipend — A living stipend of around £25,000+ per year (UKRI-level or above).
- Consumables/research budget — ~£2,000 per year toward research costs, travel, and conferences.
- Duration — For the duration of the PhD (typically up to 3.5 years), subject to progress.
How to apply
Identify a PhD project and supervisor at Imperial, secure (or begin securing) a place, then apply for the President's PhD Scholarship by the relevant round deadline.
- Find a project & supervisor — Identify a PhD project and a supervisor at Imperial willing to support your application.
- Apply for the PhD place — Apply for admission to the PhD programme (or be in the process of doing so).
- Prepare scholarship materials — Assemble your CV, research proposal/statement, transcripts, and references.
- Apply for the scholarship — Submit the President's PhD Scholarship application by the round deadline.
- Selection — Departments and the central scheme assess academic excellence and research potential.
- Award — Successful candidates receive full funding for the PhD.
Eligibility
NationalityOpen to applicants of any nationality (home and international).
DegreeA top undergraduate and/or master's degree (e.g. first-class or distinction) or equivalent.
Research potentialStrong research ability and potential, with a clear project fit.
Supervisor/placeIdentify a PhD project and supervisor at Imperial and secure (or be securing) a place.
EnglishEnglish proficiency meeting Imperial's requirements.
You apply with or after securing a PhD place and supervisor at Imperial, then apply for the President's PhD Scholarship by the round deadline. Around 50 awards are made each year across departments.
Eligible countries
Any country
Deadlines
2027 PhD entry (main round)2026-12-01
Selection
Imperial selects President's PhD Scholars on academic excellence and research potential, assessed by departments and the central scholarship scheme, with strong supervisor support being important. With around 50 awards a year across the College, selection is highly selective.
Verified sources
- President's PhD Scholarships — Imperial College Londonimperial.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
Imperial College London is a public research university focused on science, engineering, medicine, and business, consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. Its President's PhD Scholarship funds exceptional doctoral students of any nationality to pursue research at Imperial.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the President's PhD Scholarship?
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Imperial College London's flagship doctoral scholarship, funding around 50 exceptional students of any nationality each year for a full-time PhD across its science, engineering, medicine, and business departments.
What does it cover?
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Full tuition (home or overseas rate), an annual living stipend of around £25,000+, and a consumables/research budget of around £2,000 per year, for the duration of the PhD (typically 3.5 years).
Who is eligible?
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Exceptional applicants of any nationality with a top undergraduate/master's degree and strong research potential, who identify a PhD project and supervisor at Imperial.
Is it open to international students?
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Yes — the scholarship is open to home and international applicants alike, covering tuition at the appropriate rate.
How do I apply?
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Identify a PhD project and supervisor at Imperial, secure (or begin securing) a place, then apply for the President's PhD Scholarship by the round deadline with your proposal, transcripts, and references.
When is the deadline?
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The main round commonly closes around ~December, sometimes with additional rounds. Check Imperial's President's PhD Scholarship page for the current dates.
How many scholarships are awarded?
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Around 50 each year across Imperial's departments, which makes the scheme highly selective.
Do I need a supervisor first?
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Yes — you should identify a PhD project and a supervisor at Imperial who supports your application, as supervisor backing is important to selection.
How long does it last?
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For the duration of the PhD, typically up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
What stipend will I receive?
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An annual living stipend of around £25,000+ (at or above UKRI levels), plus the research/consumables budget, on top of full tuition.
Which fields are eligible?
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PhD projects across Imperial's focus areas — natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and business.
How competitive is it?
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Highly — Imperial is among the world's top universities and only around 50 President's PhD Scholarships are awarded a year on academic and research merit.