Imperial College President Scholarship in UK, 2026
The President’s PhD Scholarships at Imperial College London are among the most desirable awards available in the UK for 2026 entry. These scholarships provide exceptional financial support, world-leading research training, and access to an elite academic community, equipping scholars to become tomorrow’s innovators, thinkers and leaders.
This comprehensive guide covers what the scholarship is, what it covers, who can apply, how to apply, deadlines, selection criteria and tips to boost your chances, everything you need to prepare a strong application.
What Are the President’s Scholarships?
The President’s PhD Scholarships (often referred to as “Imperial President’s Scholarships”) are a cohort-based funding scheme aimed at attracting outstanding doctoral candidates to Imperial’s world-class research environment.
These awards are fully funded and support students to undertake independent research across a broad range of academic disciplines, from engineering and natural sciences to medicine, business, computing and beyond.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full Tuition Fee Coverage: The scholarship pays 100% of your PhD tuition fees for the entire duration of study, whether you’re a UK resident or an international student — a major financial advantage given the high costs of doctoral study in the UK.
- Generous Living Stipend: Scholars receive an annual stipend of £26,500 (for the 2026–27 academic year) to support living costs while studying in London, one of the most expensive cities in the UK.
- Consumables/Research Fund: For the first three years, you’ll get £2,000 annually to cover research-related expenses such as lab consumables, software licences, fieldwork costs, travel to conferences or publications.
- Professional Development & Cohort Activities: In addition to financial support, scholars join a cohort of President’s PhD Scholars, gaining access to bespoke training, networking events, workshops and community-building opportunities delivered through the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI).
- Support Services: You’ll also be able to access the full range of postgraduate support at Imperial, including disability support, international student services and tailored career development programmes.
Eligibility Criteria
The President’s PhD Scholarships are highly competitive, and applicants are expected to demonstrate academic excellence and strong research potential. Imperial selects from both UK and international candidates without nationality restrictions.
Academic Requirements
To qualify for the scholarship:
- You must be applying for a PhD (doctoral) programme at Imperial College London.
- You should hold or be predicted to hold:
- A first-class undergraduate degree (or equivalent), or
- A distinction in a standalone Master’s qualification if you have already completed graduate study.
Candidates who do not meet these precise criteria may also be considered if they can demonstrate exceptional research potential and strong equivalent academic achievement, but this is evaluated on a highly competitive, case-by-case basis.
Other Eligibilities
- The scholarship is open to all nationalities, including UK, EU and international students.
- You can apply for full-time or part-time study.
- The scholarship is intended for new PhD applicants only, current Imperial PhD students generally cannot transfer into this scheme mid-course.
- You must have identified a potential supervisor at Imperial before or during your application (more on this below).
Available Disciplines & Departments
President’s PhD Scholarships are available across a wide variety of academic departments at Imperial, reflecting the university’s breadth and strength in research. Departments typically involved include (but are not limited to):
- Aeronautics
- Bioengineering
- Brain Sciences
- Business School
- Centre for Environmental Policy
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computing
- Design Engineering
- Earth Science & Engineering
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Materials
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
- National Heart & Lung Institute
- School of Public Health
- Surgery & Cancer
How to Apply
The President’s PhD Scholarships application process is integrated with your PhD admission application, there is no scholarship form. Instead, you apply through Imperial’s online admissions portal and indicate that you want to be considered for the President’s scholarship.
Here’s how to navigate the process:
Step 1: Choose Your Research Area & Department
Before applying, explore Imperial’s PhD programmes and identify the department and research area that match your interests. Strong applications typically revolve around a clear research vision and alignment with departmental expertise.
Step 2: Contact Potential Supervisors
Imperial recommends (and many departments require) that applicants contact a potential supervisor early. A supervisor must agree to support your proposed research project for your application to be put forward for scholarship consideration. Supervisors are limited to supervising only one President’s scholar at a time, so early contact and agreement is key. Click here for more information.
Step 3: Prepare Your PhD Application
Submit a complete PhD application to Imperial’s admissions portal, which will typically require:
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Research proposal
- Personal statement
- Proof of English proficiency (if required)
- Academic references
When prompted in the funding section, select that you wish to be considered for the President’s PhD Scholarships.
Step 4: Departmental Review & Nomination
Once your PhD application is submitted, the relevant academic department reviews your profile for both admission and scholarship potential. Strong candidates are shortlisted and nominated by the department to the central scholarship selection panel.
Step 5: Final Selection by College Panel
After departmental nomination, Imperial’s central selection panel — typically including senior academic leaders — reviews all nominations from across the university to choose the most competitive candidates.
Application Rounds & Deadlines (2026 Entry)
The President’s PhD Scholarships follow a multi-round application schedule for 2026 entry, enabling students with different timelines to apply:
| Round | Apply By (UK Time) | Decision By |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 3 Nov 2025 (23:59) | By 31 Jan 2026 (17:00) |
| Round 2 | 12 Jan 2026 (23:59) | By 31 Mar 2026 (17:00) |
| Round 3 | 2 Mar 2026 (23:59) | By 31 May 2026 (17:00) |
Offers for scholarships are conditional on meeting expected qualifications and cannot be deferred; if you are awarded a place but cannot start in 2026, the scholarship typically does not carry over.
Selection Criteria
The President’s PhD Scholarships are extremely competitive, and Imperial’s selection process evaluates candidates on multiple dimensions:
- Academic Excellence
- Strong grades in undergraduate or Master’s programmes
- Distinctions, awards, or evidence of academic leadership
- Quality and rigour of previous research work
- Research Potential
- A well-developed research proposal with a clear question, methodology and impact
- Prior research experience (publications, projects, presentations)
- Alignment between your research goals and departmental strengths
- Supervisor Endorsement
- Agreement from a faculty member to supervise your project makes you a viable scholar candidate
- Departments assess your fit within their research groups before nomination
- Departmental Support
- Some departments may also conduct interviews or internal shortlisting before recommending candidates to the College panel.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Here are practical steps to increase your chance of winning a President’s PhD Scholarship:
- Reach Out Early to Potential Supervisors: Start contacting faculty members months before application deadlines. A supervisor’s support can be a decisive factor.
- Craft a Strong Research Proposal: Your proposal should be clear, focused and original, explaining why your research matters, how you will conduct it, and what impact it can have.
- Highlight Academic Achievements: Include detailed evidence of excellence: grades, awards, publications, projects, presentations — anything that shows you are a top performer.
- Choose Referees Who Know Your Work: Strong academic references that speak directly to your research abilities and academic potential are crucial.
- Apply Early: Submitting in Round 1 or 2 can improve visibility and gives departments more time to review your case.
Conclusion
The Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarships 2026 represent a transformational opportunity for ambitious future researchers. With full tuition coverage, a generous stipend, and access to elite academic support and networks, this scholarship allows recipients to pursue cutting-edge research in London without financial constraints.
This scheme is well worth your preparation and effort if you are passionate about research, have an excellent academic track record and a compelling vision for your PhD. Start early, plan strategically, and make your application stand out because this scholarship is not just funding, it’s a gateway to future influence and global impact.