Imperial College London, located in the vibrant heart of the UK’s capital, is a leading public research university, famous for its focus on science, technology, medicine and business. Founded in 1907, Imperial has established a strong legacy of academic excellence and research innovation, consistently earning its place among the world’s leading universities.
Renowned for its commitment to solving complex global problems, Imperial has a vibrant and diverse student community, cutting-edge research facilities and a culture that fosters collaboration across diverse disciplines. The university attracts exceptional talent from around the world and provides an enriching educational and research environment that fosters intellectual growth and creativity.
As part of its commitment to fostering ground-breaking research, Imperial College London is proud to present the 2025 President’s Doctoral Scholarship, a fully funded initiative to support future researchers in their pursuit of transformative research projects.
Description of the scholarship:
- Host university: Imperial College London;
- Host country: United Kingdom;
- Level of study: Doctoral level;
- Type of scholarship: Partial financing;
- Scholarship value: £25,224;
- Eligible countries: International students;
- Available topics: All subjects;
- Application deadline: March 10, 2025
The 2025 Imperial College London President’s Doctoral Scholarship is a prestigious initiative aimed at attracting exceptional students from around the world keen to pursue doctoral research at a leading institution. This scholarship is open to domestic and international applicants, providing comprehensive funding that allows researchers to fully immerse themselves in their research endeavors without the burden of financial limitations.
Each year, approximately 50 distinguished students are selected, creating a vibrant community of researchers who benefit from the mentorship of Imperial’s esteemed professors. In addition to financial support, the scholarship provides numerous opportunities for academic and professional development. Researchers have access to Imperial’s Graduate School resources, participate in cohort building activities and connect to an extensive network of researchers and industry professionals. This program is ideally suited to applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence and demonstrate significant potential to produce impactful research.
Scholarship Benefits:
1. Financial support:
- Full tuition coverage: The scholarship fully funds tuition fees for the entire duration of the doctoral program, ensuring that students can continue their studies without any financial barriers.
- Generous annual allowance: Recipients receive an annual allowance of £25,224 (based on the 2024/25 rate) to help cover their living costs. This support aims to enable students to devote their efforts exclusively to their research and studies, without the need for additional employment.
- Funds for research consumables: Fellows receive an additional £2,000 each year for the first three years to cover research-related expenses, such as essential materials, laboratory equipment and supplies.
2. Academic and professional development:
- Tailor-made events and workshops: The Graduate School hosts a wide range of events, including research seminars, skills development workshops and networking opportunities, all specifically designed to support academics in their academic and professional progression.
- Comprehensive support services: Scholars benefit from full access to Imperial’s support services, which include specialist resources for international and disabled students, as well as a wide range of career skills courses aimed at improving career readiness.
- Collaborative research community: Researchers join a vibrant research community, benefiting from cross-departmental collaborations, mentoring and peer support. This environment fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and encourages innovative thinking.
Eligibility conditions:
1. Academic success:
- Outstanding academic standards: Applicants must have an exemplary academic record, typically including a first-class undergraduate degree or integrated master’s degree. A distinction in a separate Master’s program may also fulfill the academic criteria.
- Evaluation criteria: Applicants will be evaluated based on their transcripts, honors and overall performance in previous studies.
2. Research ability:
- Passion for research: Imperial is looking for individuals who demonstrate strong enthusiasm and research ability. Applicants must demonstrate their research potential through past experiences, well-developed research proposals and strong academic references.
3. International inclusiveness:
- Global Opportunities: This scholarship welcomes talented individuals from all over the world, including current Imperial students, UK citizens and international applicants. The institution values diversity and actively encourages candidates from varied backgrounds to apply.
4. Alternative routes:
- Flexible application routes: The scholarship is also accessible to candidates with a non-traditional academic background who may demonstrate remarkable research potential. These candidates can apply through the Alternative Pathways option, which allows flexibility in the application process for those whose educational background differs from conventional pathways.
5. Application specifics:
- New doctoral students only: This scholarship is exclusively available to new doctoral candidates; Current Imperial College doctoral students are not eligible.
- Flexibility of study mode: The scholarship supports both full-time and part-time doctoral study options.
- Departmental eligibility: Some departments may impose restrictions on sponsoring international applicants. Candidates are therefore advised to check their eligibility with the concerned department before applying.
Application process:
1. Preparation for application:
- Identify a supervisor: Applicants should find a suitable PhD supervisor within the selected department who is enthusiastic about supporting their research journey. The supervisor plays a crucial role in supervising and guiding the research process.
- Check supervisor availability: Before applying, applicants should check the “President’s Doctoral Fellowships – Supervisors Unavailable” page to confirm that the chosen research supervisor is available to hire new researchers.
2. Application Process:
- Online submission: Applications must be submitted via Imperial’s online admissions portal. Once the application has been reviewed by the department, eligible applicants will be considered for the scholarship based on their academic credentials and research promise.
- Additional documentation: In addition to the standard application form, applicants must submit additional scholarship documents, including a personal statement and a full research proposal.
3. Other Admission Guidelines:
- Start dates: Positions funded for the 2025-26 academic year may begin between August 1 and November 1, 2025.
- Personal declaration requirements: Applicants must include a two-page personal statement with their application. The first page should detail their motivation for applying to Imperial College London and the scholarship, while the second page should describe the proposed research project.
- Academic references: Applicants must provide two academic references from individuals who can attest to their research abilities, such as a thesis supervisor or personal tutor. Proposed supervisors should not be listed as referees.
4. Evaluation and selection:
- Two-phase review: The selection process takes place in two phases. Initially, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are assessed at the departmental level. Those who are shortlisted are then reviewed by the college selection committee.
- Final selection panel: The final decision is made by the college selection panel, which includes the vice-rector (research), the director of the graduate school and the vice-deans of the faculty for research.
- Evaluation criteria: Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, research potential and the quality of their research proposals.
Official website:
For more information, please visit the official university website: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/postgraduate-doctoral/grants-scholarships/presidents-phd/
