Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship 2027-28: You have strong grades and want to do a PhD in the UK. But overseas PhD fees and London rent are too much for most Indian families. This award pays for both. It also adds a separate research budget, and only 50 places are given across the whole college.
But the bar is higher than a normal PhD offer. You can’t apply on your own, either. A supervisor at Imperial must agree to guide your project before you apply. Each supervisor can have only one President’s Scholar at a time, so a popular professor may already be taken. Many Indian students also miss that the deadline is in UK time. If you wait till the evening of the last date in India, you may lose a full round.
Below you will find what the award pays, the exact grade rules, the two-page statement Imperial asks for, all three round dates with Indian time, and the six steps to apply. Every fact here comes from Imperial College London’s official scholarship page, checked on 1 November 2026.
Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship 2027-28 Overview
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | President’s PhD Scholarships |
| Given By | Imperial College London |
| Beneficiary | New PhD applicants, any nationality |
| Benefit Amount | Full fees + ₹34.3 lakh (£27,036) a year |
| Apply Start Date | Open now |
| Last Date | 1 March 2027 (final round) |
| Official Website | imperial.ac.uk |
What is the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship?
It is Imperial’s own fully funded PhD award for top students from any country. You don’t fill a separate scholarship form. You apply for a PhD, and your department decides whether to put your name forward.
Key Points
- The award pays full fees, about ₹34.3 lakh (£27,036) a year and ₹2.5 lakh (£2,000) a year for research.
- Without a supervisor's yes and the funding option ticked, your form won't be considered.
- Each deadline is 23:59 UK time, so submit a day early from India.
Each department makes a shortlist. Then a College Selection Panel makes the final choice. It looks at your past results and class rank, and at your research potential. The good news is that if you are not picked, Imperial still considers you for a normal PhD place.
Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship Benefits
The award covers your fees and gives you money to live on. We have put each part in the table below, so you can see what you will get:
| Benefit | How Much |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Fully paid |
| Living Stipend | About ₹34.3 lakh (£27,036) a year |
| Consumables Fund | About ₹2.5 lakh (£2,000) a year, first 3 years |
| Funding Period | 3.5 years |
| Study Mode | Full-time or part-time |
We used ₹126.7 for £1 (October 2026), so the rupee value will change. The ₹33.6 lakh (£26,500) on older pages was the 2026-27 rate.
Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship Eligibility
If you want this scholarship, you must meet the conditions below. Imperial checks them before your name goes to the panel:
- First-Class Bachelor’s or Integrated Master’s
- Or Distinction in a Standalone Master’s
- New PhD Applicant (not a current Imperial PhD student)
- Agreed Imperial Supervisor
- Any Nationality
Indian grades work differently, so ask Imperial’s Admissions team if your marks count as first class, and check that your department accepts international students.
Documents Required for Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship
To apply, you will need the papers listed below. The main one is a two-page file: page 1 is your personal statement, and page 2 is your research proposal:
- Two-Page Personal Statement and Research Proposal
- Academic Transcripts
- Two Academic Referees
- Detailed Research Proposal (if your department asks)
Don’t name your proposed PhD supervisor as a referee.
Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship Last Date
There are three rounds. Each deadline is 23:59 UK time, which is 5:29 am Indian time on the next day:
| Round | Apply By | Result By |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 2 November 2026 | 31 January 2027 |
| Round 2 | 11 January 2027 | 15 April 2027 |
| Round 3 | 1 March 2027 | 31 May 2027 |
Your funded PhD must start between 1 August and 1 November 2027.
Apply for Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship Online
If you want to apply for this scholarship, please read all the steps below carefully. The whole process is online, and we have explained every step, so just follow them one by one:
- First, you have to go to the official President’s PhD Scholarships page, imperial.ac.uk. Open the “Unavailable Supervisors” list there.
- Next, email a supervisor in your chosen department who is not on that list. Share your research idea and get a clear yes.
- After that, start your PhD application on Imperial’s online admissions system.
- Now upload your two-page file under “Supporting documents”, and add your two academic referees.
- Then open the “additional questions” tab. In the funding section, select the President’s PhD Scholarship option. If you skip this, you won’t be considered.
- Finally, check everything once more and submit before your round’s deadline.
Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship 2027-28 FAQs
What if I don’t have a first-class degree?
Your department can still nominate you as a special case if you had real problems. Contact the department before you apply.
Is there an interview for the President’s PhD Scholarship?
It can happen. Your department’s statement on your interview is part of how your research potential is judged.
Who do I contact with questions about the scholarship?
Email student.funding@imperial.ac.uk. For form questions, ask the Admissions team or your department.
Sources: Imperial College London, President’s PhD Scholarships official page (2027-28); Imperial College London scholarship search, President’s PhD Scholarships 2026/27 page
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. Check the official Imperial website before you apply.
