The Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarships aim to support up to 50 outstanding international students with exceptional academic potential by providing them the opportunity to conduct research in their chosen field under the guidance of world-class supervisors.
This prestigious scholarship covers full tuition, provides a generous stipend, and additional research support to enable scholars to pursue doctoral studies at Imperial College London, one of the top-ranked universities in the world.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: Imperial College London
- Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | £26,500 annual stipend | Tuition | Research Fund
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: March 10, 2026
Scholarship Details
Imperial College London is globally recognized for its excellence in teaching and research and is consistently ranked among the top ten universities worldwide. The President’s PhD Scholarship scheme was established to attract the most talented students from across the globe and support them in conducting cutting-edge research that addresses major global challenges.
The application and selection process is highly competitive and carried out in two stages. First, candidates who meet or are predicted to meet the eligibility criteria are assessed by their chosen department. Departments then shortlist the strongest candidates for further consideration by the Imperial College Selection Panel. The final decision is made by the Selection Panel, which includes senior academic leaders such as the Vice-Provost (Research) and Faculty Vice-Deans for Research.
Only those candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic achievements and research potential will be selected. Successful applicants will receive written confirmation of their scholarship, with final offers of PhD places subject to departmental interviews and verification of qualifications.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarship 2026, applicants must meet the following:
- Applications are accepted from talented candidates worldwide, with no nationality restrictions.
- Applicants must be among the highest achievers in their undergraduate cohort and either:
- Hold or be on track to receive a First-Class UK degree or equivalent.
- For those with a standalone Master’s qualification, a distinction must have been achieved or strong evidence provided that a distinction will be obtained.
- For candidates with multiple Master’s qualifications, a distinction must be achieved in the one most relevant to the proposed PhD study.
- Candidates holding an integrated Master’s degree (e.g., MEng, MSci, M.Math) will be assessed at undergraduate level.
- Applicants with overseas qualifications must ensure their results are equivalent to Imperial’s eligibility standards.
- Prior to applying, applicants must have contacted an Imperial College academic supervisor in their chosen department who has agreed to support their research project (note: each supervisor may only supervise one scholar at a time).
- Candidates currently registered as PhD students at Imperial College are not eligible to apply; the scheme is strictly for new PhD applicants.
Scholarship Benefits
Recipients of the Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarship 2026 will receive:
- Full funding for tuition fees throughout the program
- Annual stipend of £26,500 (2025–2026 rate) to cover living costs
- A consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first three years of study
- A bespoke program of opportunities and events organized by the Graduate School
- Access to the wide range of support services available to postgraduates, including resources for international and disabled students, as well as professional development courses
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents before applying:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Proof of high academic achievement (First-Class degree or Master’s distinction)
- Research proposal (in line with discussions with chosen supervisor)
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Contact information of referees
How to Apply
To apply for the Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarship 2026:
- Contact and secure agreement from an Imperial College academic supervisor who is willing to support your research project.
- Submit your application for admission to study at Imperial College London through the online admissions system.
- Your department will assess your application and, if you are among the strongest candidates, put you forward for the scholarship competition.
- Supervisors are limited to supervising one scholar under this scheme at any given time. Please check the President’s PhD Scholarships – Unavailable Supervisors page before applying.
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