The Imperial President's PhD Scholarships 2027-28 are 50 fully funded, 3.5-year PhD awards open to applicants of any nationality. Each award covers full tuition fees, a stipend of £27,036 per year, and a £2,000 yearly research fund for the first three years. There are three rounds, and each closes at 11:59 PM UK time on November 2, 2026, January 11, 2027, or March 1, 2027.
There is no separate scholarship form. You apply for a PhD place at Imperial, select the President's PhD Scholarship option in the funding section, and your department nominates you. The step that catches most people is the supervisor: you need one who has already agreed to supervise your project before you apply.
I read Imperial's scholarship, application, English language, and visa pages before writing this guide. You will find separate sections for Pakistani, US, and other international applicants, plus a time zone table, because a deadline set in UK time falls on a different day in some countries.
Application guide for the Imperial College London President's PhD Scholarships, 2027-28 entry.
Quick facts at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme | President's PhD Scholarships, Imperial College London |
| Number of awards | 50 across the College |
| Duration of funding | 3.5 years |
| Funding | Fully funded: tuition fees, stipend, and consumables fund |
| Stipend | £27,036 per year (2027-28 rate) |
| Consumables fund | £2,000 per year for the first 3 years |
| Who can apply | Any nationality. New PhD applicants only. |
| Academic level | First class or equivalent, or a distinction at Master's level |
| Deadlines | 11:59 PM UK time on November 2, 2026; January 11, 2027; and March 1, 2027 |
| Results by | January 31, April 15, and May 31, 2027, depending on the round |
| Start date | Between August 1 and November 1, 2027 |
| Official contact | student.funding@imperial.ac.uk |
- Overview of the Scheme
- Who Can Apply
- How Winners Are Selected
- Funding and Benefits
- Required Documents
- English Language Requirements
- Costs
- Application Procedure
- Deadlines and Time Zones
- Residence Permit or Visa
- For Pakistani Applicants
- For US Applicants
- For Other International Applicants
- After You Receive an Offer
- Common Mistakes
- Scam Warning Signs
- How to Apply Safely
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
- Official Links
- Read More
Overview of the Scheme
The President's PhD Scholarships are Imperial's flagship doctoral awards. They let a student pursue a research project of their choosing, with an excellent supervisor, and they come with cohort-building events for all President's Scholars across the College. The scheme is aimed at high-performing undergraduate and Master's students who want a PhD at a world-class research institution.
What Makes It Different
Most funded PhD places are tied to a project that a lab has already advertised. This scheme works the other way around. You find a supervisor, agree a project with them, and then your department puts you forward on academic merit and research potential. That gives you more freedom, but it also means the quality of your proposal does a lot of the work.
Is It Realistic for You?
Fifty awards across the whole College is a small number, and Imperial states that the scheme has higher than usual eligibility requirements. My honest advice is to treat it as a stretch application and apply for a standard Imperial PhD at the same time. Imperial says applicants who are not selected for the scholarship are automatically considered for a standard PhD, though that place would not carry this funding.
Note: Current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible. The scheme is open only to new PhD applications, but graduates of Imperial and of other universities in the UK and worldwide can apply.
Who Can Apply
This section covers eligibility only. How Imperial ranks eligible applicants is a different question, and I answer it in the next section.
Academic Criteria
- You hold, or are due to receive, a first class degree or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated Master's degree.
- If you do not meet that, you hold a distinction in a standalone Master's qualification, or you can show high performance that will lead to one.
- A candidate with only a single undergraduate degree or an integrated Master's must still hold, or be due to receive, a first class or equivalent.
Other Criteria
- There are no restrictions on nationality, although some departments may be unable to support international candidates.
- The scheme is only for new PhD applications.
- The scholarship applies to both full-time and part-time study.
- For funded places in 2027-28, the earliest start date is August 1, 2027 and the latest is November 1, 2027.
If You Narrowly Miss the Grade
Imperial describes two routes. Under the Department Special Case route, a department can select an applicant who missed the grade because of extenuating circumstances, if they are otherwise of the right calibre, for example with high marks in research project modules or strong research placements. Contact your proposed department before you apply if you want to be considered this way. Under Alternate Pathways, candidates with non-traditional academic or career paths who show strong research potential are encouraged to apply.
How Winners Are Selected
Eligibility gets your file read. These steps decide where it lands. Imperial reviews applications in two stages.
- The department you applied to reviews candidates who meet, or are predicted to meet, the criteria. It then selects a shortlist to present to the College Selection Panel.
- The College Selection Panel makes the final decision. Its members are the Vice-Provost (Research), the Director of the Graduate School, and the Faculty Vice-Deans for Research.
Some offers are made at Faculty level. A Faculty allocation stage scores and ranks the departmental shortlists and makes initial offers to the most promising candidates. The panel then makes additional offers from a ring-fenced allocation for Alternate Pathways candidates.
| Criterion | Evidence Imperial looks at |
|---|---|
| Academic excellence | Past academic results, transcripts, relative class position, awards, and distinctions |
| Research potential | Research experience to date, interest in discovery, the research plan in your proposal, and the departmental statement, which also reflects your performance at interview |
What This Means for Your File
Imperial does not publish percentage weights, so I will not invent any. What the criteria do show is that grades alone are only half the picture. Your research proposal and any research experience are scored directly, and the department's view of your interview feeds into the decision. Spend as much effort on the one-page proposal as you do on your transcript.
Any offer of a PhD place is conditional on you receiving the predicted qualifications, so a strong final-year result still matters after you are selected.
Funding and Benefits
Each of the 50 scholarships provides the following support during the 3.5 years of study.
Tuition fees
Full funding for tuition fees.
Annual stipend
£27,036 per year (2027-28 rate) to help with living costs.
Consumables fund
£2,000 per year for the first 3 years of study.
Cohort programme
Events and training from the Early Career Researcher Institute, shared with President's Scholars across the College.
If the 2027-28 stipend rate held for the whole award, it would add up to about £94,626 over 3.5 years (£27,036 multiplied by 3.5), or roughly £2,253 per month. That is my own arithmetic from Imperial's published figure, and the rate for later years may change. The consumables fund adds up to £6,000 (£2,000 for 3 years).
Important: The scholarship page lists tuition fees, the stipend, and the consumables fund. It does not say that visa fees or the health surcharge are covered, so plan for those separately.
Required Documents
Imperial's scholarship page has no separate form, so you submit everything through the PhD admissions application. Your department can ask for more than the items below, so follow its instructions as well.
Degree evidence
Transcripts and certificates, as the admissions system asks. Predicted grades are fine if you have not graduated yet.
Two-page statement
Page one is your personal statement. Page two is your research proposal.
Two academic referees
People who can write an academic reference, such as a personal tutor or thesis supervisor. Not your proposed supervisor.
Supervisor agreement
A named Imperial supervisor who has agreed to take on your project.
Detailed research proposal
Use the research proposal upload option only if your department requires a longer document.
English test and passport
You do not need your English result before applying. It is set as an offer condition, and a passport copy is requested when your CAS is prepared.
Rules for the Statement
- Page one covers your motivations for applying to Imperial and to the scholarship, plus any supporting information that does not appear elsewhere on the form.
- Page two is the research proposal. You may submit updated versions after you apply if your department shortlists you.
- Imperial encourages you to write in the first person.
My guide on how to write a winning motivation letter helps with page one, but remember that you have only a single page.
Choosing Referees
Imperial asks for the names of two academic referees. They should be able to speak to your academic work, and your proposed PhD supervisor cannot be one of them. Imperial suggests sharing a guidance document with your referees that recommends using they and them rather than gendered pronouns.
English Language Requirements
Every course has either a standard or a higher English level, and the course page tells you which one applies. You only need to meet it through one route: a recognized test, an exemption, or Imperial's pre-sessional English programme (for postgraduates). You do not need to hold a test result when you apply. Imperial adds it to your offer conditions.
| Test | Standard level | Higher level |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in every element | 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in every element |
| TOEFL iBT (old scale) | 92 overall, minimum 20 in every element | 100 overall, minimum 22 in every element |
| TOEFL iBT (new 1 to 6 scale) | 4.5 overall and in every element | 5.0 overall and in every element |
| PTE Academic | 62 overall, minimum 56 in every element | 69 overall, minimum 62 in every element |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 overall, minimum 105 in any integrated subscore | 125 overall, minimum 115 in any integrated subscore |
- Scores are valid only if the test was taken within 2 years of your intended course start date.
- IELTS single-element retakes are not accepted, so you must meet the requirement in one sitting.
- TOEFL tests taken from January 21, 2026 must meet the new score requirements in full. Imperial uses your scaled scores, not the "My Best Scores" report.
- If you need a Student visa, the test you use must also satisfy the visa rules, and Imperial confirms this on your CAS.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your result with the IELTS band score calculator. After you enter a doctoral programme, you must also complete Imperial's Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement.
Costs
For a selected scholar, tuition is covered, so your main costs are living expenses and immigration costs. The scholarship page does not state visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, or your travel costs, so I will not guess figures. Check the current amounts on the official UK government and Imperial visa pages when you receive your offer.
I also could not find an application fee stated on the doctoral application pages I read. Confirm in the application system before you pay anything, and never pay anyone outside Imperial's own system.
The stipend is paid in pounds. If you plan your budget in another currency, use a live exchange rate, because it changes daily.
Application Procedure
The flowchart shows the route in the order I recommend. Notice that the supervisor comes before the form, not after it.
Confirm that your degree meets the first class or Master's distinction rule. If you are borderline, contact your proposed department about the special case route before you apply.
Find an Imperial academic who agrees to supervise your project. Then check Imperial's list of unavailable supervisors, because each supervisor can have only one President's Scholar at a time.
Apply through Imperial's online application system (My Imperial). You can apply for up to two courses in an academic year, and your start date must fall between August 1 and November 1, 2027.
Upload the two-page document, with the personal statement first and the research proposal second, and enter the names of two academic referees.
In the funding section of the additional questions tab, choose the President's PhD Scholarship option. Without it, you will not be considered for the scheme.
Submit by 11:59 PM UK time on the deadline of your round, then keep a copy of your confirmation.
Deadlines and Time Zones
Imperial considers applications at three points in the year. Your round depends on the date you submit your full PhD application, and the closing time is 11:59 PM UK time. In all three rounds, the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time, so UK time and GMT are the same.
Round 1: November 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM UK time. Result by January 31, 2027.
Round 2: January 11, 2027 at 11:59 PM UK time. Result by April 15, 2027.
Round 3: March 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM UK time. Result by May 31, 2027.
| Time zone | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK (official) and GMT | 11:59 PM, Nov 2, 2026 | 11:59 PM, Jan 11, 2027 | 11:59 PM, Mar 1, 2027 |
| ET (EST) | 6:59 PM, Nov 2, 2026 | 6:59 PM, Jan 11, 2027 | 6:59 PM, Mar 1, 2027 |
| PT (PST) | 3:59 PM, Nov 2, 2026 | 3:59 PM, Jan 11, 2027 | 3:59 PM, Mar 1, 2027 |
| PKT | 4:59 AM, Nov 3, 2026 | 4:59 AM, Jan 12, 2027 | 4:59 AM, Mar 2, 2027 |
Which Round Should You Choose?
This is my own analysis, not an Imperial rule. If you already have a supervisor's agreement, a finished proposal, and referees who have confirmed, Round 1 is realistic. If any of those are missing, a rushed Round 1 file is weaker than a polished Round 2 or Round 3 file. Imperial's departments may also run their own internal timelines, so ask your proposed department whether it needs your documents earlier than the closing date.
Add your round to the Application Deadline Tracker so it sits next to your other scholarships. Submit at least a day early, because systems can slow down as a deadline approaches.
Residence Permit or Visa
Most international PhD students need a UK Student visa. Imperial sponsors that visa through a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which is a reference number issued by the relevant Admissions team.
- The CAS is produced only after you have met all your offer conditions and submitted a passport copy when requested.
- The earliest a CAS can be produced is 5 months before your course start date.
- Imperial uses a partner platform called Enroly CAS Shield to collect and verify your details before it issues the CAS.
- If your course needs ATAS clearance, Imperial cannot issue the CAS until you obtain the certificate.
- Applicants from some countries need TB clearance before the visa application, so check the UK government's list early.
Imperial's CAS page states that the UK Government paused new Student visa applications from outside the UK for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan from March 26, 2026, and that Imperial cannot provide a CAS for them while it applies. This rule may change, so read the current notice on the official CAS page before you apply.
For Pakistani Applicants
Pakistani students are a core part of my audience, and I would check these points first. Imperial does not publish rules specific to Pakistan on the pages I read, so this section is practical analysis built on Imperial's general requirements.
Convert Your Grades Carefully
The requirement is a first class degree "or equivalent," but I did not find a published Pakistani CGPA or percentage cut-off on the scholarship page. Imperial tells international candidates to confirm with the relevant Admissions team that their grades meet the scheme's requirements, so email them before you spend weeks on the proposal. Keep your own record of your results with the CGPA calculator.
Degree Length and Master's Route
If you hold an MS or MPhil with strong results, the standalone Master's distinction route may suit you better than relying on your undergraduate grade. Ask the Admissions team how they read your degree structure, because Pakistani programs vary in length and naming.
English Proof
Do not assume that a Pakistani degree taught in English exempts you. Imperial's exemption depends on a list of qualifying countries and qualifications, so check its exemption page, and plan for IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or another accepted test if you are not exempt. Book early, since results can take time and the score must be within 2 years of your start date.
Supervisor Emails and Referees
Many applicants send the same generic email to dozens of professors. A better email names one paper of theirs, explains your link to it in two sentences, and attaches a short CV. Check the unavailable supervisors list first. Choose referees who know your research and can write on official letterhead, and tell them the round date weeks ahead.
The Clock
Round 1 closes at 4:59 AM PKT on November 3, so for you it effectively means finishing on the night of November 2. HEC attestation is not mentioned as an application requirement on the pages I read. If Imperial needs verified copies after an offer, its Admissions team will tell you exactly what to provide.
For US Applicants
US applicants are eligible, because the scheme has no nationality restrictions. The practical differences come from how UK PhDs work and from the US academic calendar.
A UK PhD Starts With Research
Many US doctoral programs apply to a department first and choose an advisor later. At Imperial, you need a supervisor and a research proposal before you apply, and the funded PhD is 3.5 years of research. That is a different kind of application, so start the supervisor conversation early.
Grades and Degrees
The scholarship page asks for a first class degree "or equivalent" and does not state a GPA number. I did not find a published US GPA cut-off, so ask the relevant Admissions team whether your GPA meets the scheme's requirement. A US Master's with strong results may also open the distinction route, but confirm that with them too.
English Evidence
Imperial's English page lists the USA High School Diploma (Year 12 English at grade B, studied in a majority English-speaking country) and the AP English Language and Composition exam (grade 4) among its accepted qualifications. Check Imperial's exemption page and the course page to see what applies to you.
Planning Around the US Calendar
Round 1 closes at 6:59 PM ET on Monday, November 2, with Thanksgiving still ahead, so request transcripts and letters from your professors in good time. Round 2 closes on January 11, right after the winter break, so ask your referees before early December. The stipend is paid in pounds, so use a live exchange rate when you compare it with US offers.
For Other International Applicants
If you are not from Pakistan or the United States, your biggest risks are an unfamiliar grading scale, the visa rules for your nationality, and a department that cannot support international candidates.
Ask the Department First
Imperial says some departments may be unable to support international candidates. Before you invest in a proposal, ask your proposed department whether it can sponsor and supervise an international scholar. That one email can save you weeks.
Check the Visa Position
If you hold a nationality covered by the visa pause described above, read the current notice before you apply. Applicants from countries that require TB clearance should also plan for the test early.
Grades and English
Contact the Admissions team to confirm that your grades meet the requirement, and use the department special case route if you have extenuating circumstances. Compare your English evidence with the test table above, and check the exemption page if your degree was taught in English.
Convert the Deadline for Your Location
Use the table below to find the local time at which each round closes. In all of these time zones, the closing time falls on the day after the round date.
| Time zone | Closing time (day after the round date) |
|---|---|
| India (IST) | 5:29 AM |
| Nigeria (WAT) | 12:59 AM |
| Kenya (EAT) | 2:59 AM |
| China and Singapore | 7:59 AM |
After You Receive an Offer
Successful candidates receive written confirmation of their scholarship, and the offer of a PhD place is conditional on receiving the predicted qualifications.
- Meet your offer conditions, including your English language requirement.
- Send your passport copy when Imperial asks, and complete the CAS Shield checks.
- Apply for the Student visa once your CAS is issued, and for ATAS if your course requires it.
- Plan your start date inside the August 1 to November 1, 2027 window.
- Join the programme of events run by the Early Career Researcher Institute for President's Scholars.
Common Mistakes
- No supervisor agreement: You must have contact with a supervisor who has agreed to supervise you before you apply.
- Choosing an unavailable supervisor: Each supervisor can have only one President's Scholar at a time, so check the list first.
- Skipping the scholarship option: Select the President's PhD Scholarship in the funding section of the additional questions tab.
- Naming your supervisor as a referee: Your proposed PhD supervisor cannot be one of the two referees.
- Merging the two pages: Page one is the personal statement and page two is the research proposal.
- Missing the start window: Funded places start between August 1 and November 1, 2027.
- Expecting a separate scholarship form: There is none, so a late admissions application means a late scholarship application.
- Ignoring your department: If you do not meet the grade rule, contact the department before you apply about the special case route.
Scam Warning Signs
- Guaranteed selection: Imperial selects 50 scholars through department and College review, and no agent can promise a place.
- Payments to secure the scholarship: The official page describes no payment to the scheme, so treat such requests as a red flag.
- A fake scholarship form: Imperial says there is no specific scholarship application form.
- Unofficial emails: Official questions go to student.funding@imperial.ac.uk or to the relevant admissions team and department.
- Pressure to act today: The three round dates are public, so false urgency should make you pause.
How to Apply Safely
Use only Imperial's own pages and application system. For questions about the scheme, write to the Student Financial Support team. For questions about the application form, speak to the relevant Admissions department or your proposed department. Keep copies of every document and email, and never share your login details with an agent.
Important: Dates, stipend rates, and requirements can change between cycles. Compare this guide with Imperial's official pages before you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the deadlines for the Imperial President's PhD Scholarships 2027-28?
There are three rounds, and each closes at 11:59 PM UK time: November 2, 2026, January 11, 2027, and March 1, 2027. Round 1 is 6:59 PM ET and 3:59 PM PT on November 2, and 4:59 AM PKT on November 3.
Is the President's PhD Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. Each of the 50 scholarships covers full tuition fees, a stipend of £27,036 per year at the 2027-28 rate, and a consumables fund of £2,000 per year for the first 3 years, during 3.5 years of study.
Can international students apply?
Yes. Imperial states that there are no restrictions on nationality. However, some departments may be unable to support international candidates, so ask your proposed department before you invest time in the application.
Can Pakistani students apply for this scholarship?
Yes, if they meet the academic criteria. Imperial advises international candidates to check with the relevant Admissions team that their grades meet the requirements of the scheme.
Can US citizens apply for this scholarship?
Yes. The scheme has no nationality restrictions, so US applicants follow the same academic, supervisor, and application rules as everyone else.
What grades do I need?
You need a first class or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated Master's degree, or a distinction in a standalone Master's qualification. A department can also select a special case applicant who has extenuating circumstances.
Do I need a supervisor before I apply?
Yes. You must have contacted a supervisor at Imperial who has agreed to supervise your project. Each supervisor can have only one President's Scholar at a time, so check the unavailable supervisors list.
Is there a separate scholarship application form?
No. You apply for admission through Imperial's online system and select the President's PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab. Your department then puts you forward based on merit.
What should my personal statement include?
It should be a two-page document. The first page is your personal statement, and the second page is your research proposal. Do not list your proposed supervisor as one of your two academic referees.
Do I need an English test before I apply?
No. Imperial says you do not need to meet the English language requirement before applying. If you apply without a qualifying test, you will be asked to achieve one as part of your offer conditions.
When will I hear about the result?
If you apply by the November 2, 2026 deadline, you will be notified by January 31, 2027. The January 11, 2027 round has a result by April 15, 2027, and the March 1, 2027 round has a result by May 31, 2027.
Final Words
The President's PhD Scholarships reward preparation more than speed. Start with the supervisor, write a proposal you can defend in an interview, confirm your grade equivalence with Admissions, and pick the round you can finish well. Then verify every date on Imperial's official page before you submit.
If this guide helped, join my WhatsApp channel for new scholarship updates, and tell me in the comments which section you want me to expand.
Official Links
Official sources I checked on October 25, 2026
Ready to apply for the President's PhD Scholarships 2027-28?
Read the official scholarship page first, then start your application through Imperial's doctoral application process.
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Editorial note: Scholarship figures, deadlines, and admissions details come from Imperial College London's official pages and can change. Check them again before you submit. If you find an error, tell me through the Contact Us page and I will correct it and update the date below.
Published: October 25, 2026
Last verified: October 25, 2026
Published by: Study Abroad with Arbaz. Read more about the author and the site disclaimer.
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