DEADLINE: First come, first serve
If you are a high performing undergraduate or Master's student and have a strong desire to undertake a PhD programme at a world-class research institution, a President's PhD Scholarship could provide you with the outstanding opportunity to receive full funding for tuition fees and a generous stipend for a 3.5 year PhD place at Imperial College London.
The President’s PhD Scholarships allow students to undertake a research project of their choosing with the support of an excellent supervisor, alongside cohort-building opportunities with other President's PhD Scholars.
For 2023–24, candidates applying to the President's PhD Scholarships will also be considered for the Sir Michael Uren Engineering Scholarship and the Sir Michael Uren Medicine Scholarship, which supports interdisciplinary research across medicine and engineering. These scholarships provide the same support package as the President's PhD Scholarships.
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS
Engineering
Medicine
Natural sciences
Business
Language, culture and communication
Global challenges (data science, sustainability, technology, global health)
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
The President’s PhD Scholarships covers the following tuition costs, grant and benefits:
an enhanced stipend of £22,900 (2023-24 rate) per annum to assist with living costs
a consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study
a programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Graduate School
access to the full range of support available to postgraduates at Imperial
access to workshops and other support from the wider Graduate School Professional Development Programme for Doctoral Students
mentoring support through the Activate Mentoring Programme
ELIGIBILITY
Academic criteria
Candidates must be in receipt of, or due to receive, a first class or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated Master’s degree; and/or
Candidates with a standalone Master’s qualification must have achieved a distinction or, where this has yet to have been achieved, be able to provide evidence of high performance that will lead to a distinction.
This allows candidates who have demonstrated excellence at Master’s level, but not achieved a first class undergraduate degree, to be able to apply to the scheme. Candidates with only a single undergraduate degree or integrated Master’s must still be in receipt of, or due to receive, a first class or equivalent.
Other criteria
Applications are accepted from talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK, and worldwide. There are no restrictions on nationality, although some departments may be unable to support international candidates.
The scheme is only open to new PhD applications. Current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible to be considered for a President’s PhD Scholarship.
HOW TO APPLY
Before you apply
You must have made contact with a supervisor in an academic department at Imperial College London who has agreed to supervise your research project.
Supervisors are limited to supervise one scholar at any time. Please review the President's PhD Scholarships - Unavailable Supervisors page for more information.
Application process
There isn't a specific scholarship application form.
You should submit your application for admission to study at Imperial through our online admissions system and your department will put you forward for the scholarship based on academic merit and potential.
Scholarship-specific instructions for the admissions process are below; you must also meet any additional application requirements stated by your department of choice.
Additional admissions instructions
For the 2023–24 academic year, the earliest start date for funded places is 1 August 2023, the latest start date is 1 November 2023.
When prompted for a personal statement you must include a 2-page document:
the first page should be a personal statement (motivations for applying to Imperial and the scholarship, and any other supporting information not included elsewhere on the form that you feel will enhance your application)
the second page should be your research proposal. You may submit updated versions of this statement if required following application submission if your department shortlists you for the scholarship. You are encouraged to write in the first person.
When prompted for the names of two academic referees, these should be people who can provide an academic reference in support of your application (e.g. your personal tutor or your thesis supervisor). You should not include your proposed PhD supervisor. You are encouraged to share this guidance with your two referees, noting, in particular, the recommendation to use ‘they/them’ language (rather than gender pronouns).
To be considered for the President's PhD Scholarship scheme, you must select this option in the funding section of the additional questions tab within the online application form.
Assessment criteria
Candidates are assessed by the Faculties and College Selection Panel against the following criteria:
Academic excellence – as demonstrated by:
past academic results
transcripts
relative class position
awards
distinctions
Research potential – as demonstrated by:
the candidate’s research experience to date
their interest in discovery
the research plan and its potential contribution as described in their research proposal
the departmental statement, which also reflects on performance at interview
Successful candidates will receive written confirmation of their scholarship. Any offer of a PhD place will be conditional on the candidate receiving the predicted qualifications.
Applicants not selected for the scholarship will automatically be considered for a standard PhD.
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