President’s PhD Scholarship ın United Kingdom 2026/2027

If you are a high performing undergraduate or Master’s student with a strong desire to undertake a PhD at a world-class research institution, the President’s PhD Scholarship could be your chance to receive full funding for a 3.5 year PhD at Imperial College London.

The scholarship allows students to pursue a research project of their choosing, guided by an excellent supervisor, alongside cohort-building opportunities with other President’s PhD Scholars. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here

Key Details:

• Degree Level: PhD
• Host Institution: Imperial College London
• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Open to : All Nationalities
• Application Fee: None
• Application Deadlines: 2 November 2026, 11 January 2027, and 1 March 2027

What This Scholarship Offers:

• Scholars have their full tuition fees paid, removing the financial burden of PhD study
• Scholars receive a stipend of £27,036 per year (2027 to 28 rate), giving them a stable income to cover living costs throughout the programme
• Scholars are given £2,000 per year for the first three years to spend on research-related costs, allowing them to carry out their research without financial limits
• Scholars join a structured programme of events and development opportunities through the Early Career Researcher Institute, helping them grow professionally and build connections with other scholars
• Scholars gain access to Imperial’s full range of postgraduate support services, including services for disabled and international students

Also Check: King Abdulaziz University Scholarship for BS ,MS & Phd in Saudi Arabia

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must hold, or be expecting to receive, a first class (or equivalent) undergraduate or integrated Master’s degree
• Candidates who do not meet this requirement may still apply if they hold, or are expected to receive, a distinction in a standalone Master’s degree
• Candidates must have already contacted a supervisor at Imperial who has agreed to support their research project
• Candidates must not already be a registered PhD student at Imperial, since only new applicants are considered
• Candidates with non-traditional academic or career backgrounds are also welcome to apply, if they can show strong research potential
• Candidates who missed the standard grade requirements due to genuine extenuating circumstances may still be considered if their department puts them forward as a special case

Also Check: National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic

Assessment Criteria:

Candidates are assessed against two main areas:

Academic Excellence

• Past academic results
• Transcripts
• Relative class position
• Awards and distinctions

Research Potential

• Research experience to date
• Interest in discovery
• The research plan and its potential contribution, as described in the research proposal
• The departmental statement, which also reflects performance at interview

Application Deadlines and Notification Dates:

• Apply by 2 November 2026, 23:59 (UK time) to be notified by 31 January 2027
• Apply by 11 January 2027, 23:59 (UK time) to be notified by 15 April 2027
• Apply by 1 March 2027, 23:59 (UK time) to be notified by 31 May 2027

Review and Selection Process:

There are 50 scholarship places available, reviewed through a two-stage process:

• Departmental review: candidates who meet or are predicted to meet the eligibility criteria are reviewed by their chosen department, which selects a shortlist to present to the College Selection Panel
• College Selection Panel: the final decision is made by a panel including the Vice-Provost (Research), the Director of the Graduate School, and the Faculty Vice-Deans for Research. This includes:
  • A Faculty allocation stage that scores and ranks shortlisted candidates, making initial offers to the strongest applicants
  • Additional offers made by the College Selection Panel from a ring-fenced allocation for Alternate Pathways candidates

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Before You Apply:

• You must have already contacted a supervisor in an Imperial department who has agreed to supervise your research project
• Each supervisor can only support one scholar at a time, so check the list of unavailable supervisors before reaching out

Admissions Instructions:

• For the 2027–28 academic year, the earliest start date is 1 August 2027, and the latest start date is 1 November 2027
• Under “Supporting documents,” submit a 2-page personal statement structured as follows:
  • Page one: your personal statement, covering your motivations for applying to Imperial and the scholarship, along with any other relevant information
  • Page two: your research proposal, written in the first person. You may be asked to update this later if shortlisted
• If your department requires a more detailed research proposal, use the separate research proposal option under “Supporting documents”
• You will be asked to name two academic referees (for example, your personal tutor or thesis supervisor). Your proposed PhD supervisor cannot be used as a referee. It is recommended that you share referee guidance with them, particularly regarding the use of gender-neutral language
• You must select the President’s PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab on the application form

Also Check: International Max Planck Research School PhD Scholarship 2027

How to Apply:

There is no separate scholarship application form. Candidates apply for PhD admission through Imperial’s online admissions system, and their department puts forward strong applicants for the scholarship.

• Contact a supervisor in your chosen department before applying, and confirm they agree to support your research project
• Prepare a 2-page personal statement, with the first page covering your motivations and background, and the second page setting out your research proposal
• Provide the names of two academic referees, such as a personal tutor or thesis supervisor. Your proposed PhD supervisor cannot act as a referee
• Select the President’s PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab on the application form
• Submit your application by one of the three deadlines, depending on when you want to be notified

Also Check: London South Bank University PhD Scholarships