University Scholarship · PhD

Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships

Q: Are Indian students eligible to apply for this scholarship?

Yes, the Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships are open to talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK, and worldwide, with no restrictions on nationality. Therefore, Indian students are fully eligible to apply.

Q: Is a separate application required for the scholarship, or is it part of the PhD admission application?

There is no specific separate scholarship application form. To be considered for the President's PhD Scholarship, you must submit your application for admission to a PhD programme at Imperial College London through their online admissions system and select the President's PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab.

Q: What does 'first-class or equivalent' mean for international students from India regarding 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. Alternatively, if a first-class undergraduate degree was not achieved, candidates must hold (or be able to provide evidence of high performance leading to) a distinction in a standalone Master's qualification. For international candidates, it is recommended to check with the relevant Admissions team to ensure their grades meet the specific requirements of the scheme, as 'equivalent' can vary by country and institution.

Imperial College London · All India

Annual Award£26,500 (approx. ₹36.5 Lakh+)

Deadline31 Oct

Scheme Name	Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships
Provided By	Imperial College London
Eligibility Summary	Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income)

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About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

£26,500 (approx. ₹36.5 Lakh+)

The scholarship is fully funded for 3.5 years. It covers full tuition fees (Home/EU or Overseas). Additionally, scholars receive an annual stipend of £26,500 (2026-27 rate) to assist with living costs, and a consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study. The total annual monetary benefit (stipend + consumables) is approximately 3,639,190 INR, based on an exchange rate of 1 GBP = 127.74 INR. Payments are disbursed annually. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable as this is an international scholarship from a UK institution.

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Academic Achievement:Must be a high-achieving undergraduate or Master's student. Hold or expect to receive a first-class UK undergraduate degree or its equivalent. Candidates with a standalone Master's qualification must have achieved (or be about to achieve) a distinction. If holding multiple standalone Master's degrees, distinction in the one most relevant to the proposed PhD is required.
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Research Potential:Demonstrate excellent academic performance and promising research potential.
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Supervisor:Must have made contact with a supervisor in an academic department at Imperial College London who has agreed to supervise the research project. Each supervisor is limited to supervising one scholar at any given time.
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New Applicants:The scheme is only open to new PhD applications. Current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible.
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Nationality:Applications are accepted from talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK, and worldwide, with no restrictions on nationality.
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Study Mode:The scholarship applies to both full-time and part-time study.
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English Language:International applicants must meet Imperial College's English language requirements, typically demonstrated through IELTS or TOEFL.
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Start Dates:Eligible funded start dates for the 2026-27 academic year range from 1 August to 1 November 2026.

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Education Level	PhD
Course / Stream	PhD
Income Limit	No income bar
Category / Caste	General, OBC, SC, ST
Domicile State	All India

Mandatory Documents Checklist

✓Online application for admission to Imperial College London
✓Two-page personal statement (Page 1: motivations for applying to Imperial and the scholarship, and any other supporting information; Page 2: detailed research proposal. A more detailed research proposal may be required by the department.)
✓Academic Transcripts (undergraduate and Master's, if applicable)
✓Two Academic References (excluding the proposed PhD supervisor)
✓Proof of Academic Excellence (e.g., class ranking, awards, distinctions, proof of distinction)
✓Curriculum Vitae (CV)
✓English Language Proficiency Certificate (for international applicants, if applicable)

Selection Process

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Candidates are selected through a competitive two-stage process
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First, departments review applicants who meet or are predicted to meet the eligibility criteria and shortlist them
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Subsequently, these shortlisted candidates are presented to a College Selection Panel, comprising the Vice-Provost (Research), the Director of the Graduate School, and Faculty Vice-Deans for Research
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The final decision is made by this panel
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Assessment criteria include academic excellence (demonstrated by past academic results, transcripts, relative class position, awards, distinctions) and research potential (evidenced by research experience, interest in discovery, the quality of the research plan/proposal, and departmental statement which may include interview performance).

Renewal Policy

Renewal of the scholarship for subsequent years is contingent upon the scholar maintaining satisfactory academic progress throughout their PhD programme.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

1
Find a Supervisor (Pre-application) Before starting your application, you must identify and make contact with a potential academic supervisor at Imperial College London who agrees to supervise your proposed research project. This is a critical first step.
2
Prepare Your Application Documents Gather the necessary documents: * Personal Statement: A two-page document. The first page should detail your motivations for applying to Imperial and the scholarship, along with any other supporting information. The second page should present your detailed research proposal. * Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts and certificates from your undergraduate and Master's degrees (if applicable). * Academic References: Two academic referees, excluding your proposed PhD supervisor. * Proof of Academic Excellence: Any awards, distinctions, or class rankings.
3
Submit Your PhD Admission Application Online There is no separate scholarship application form for the President's PhD Scholarships. You must submit your application for admission to a PhD programme at Imperial College London through their online admissions system.
4
Indicate Scholarship Interest Within the online application form, navigate to the 'funding' section under the 'additional questions' tab and select the option to be considered for the President's PhD Scholarship scheme.
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Adhere to Application Deadlines For the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years, there are typically three application rounds. Applying by earlier deadlines is often recommended. Note the following deadlines for scholarship notification: * Round 1: Apply by 3 November 2025 (results by 31 January 2026) * Round 2: Apply by 12 January 2026 (results by 31 March 2026) * Round 3: Apply by 2 March 2026 (results by 31 May 2026)
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Status Tracking & Notification** * Your department will put you forward for the scholarship based on academic merit and potential. * Successful candidates will receive written confirmation of their scholarship. * Unsuccessful applicants for the scholarship are automatically considered for standard PhD funding opportunities within their department. * You can typically expect to hear about your scholarship outcome within two months of each round's closing date.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Are Indian students eligible to apply for this scholarship?

Yes, the Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships are open to talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK, and worldwide, with no restrictions on nationality. Therefore, Indian students are fully eligible to apply.

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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Imperial College London website before final submission.