Imperial College London launches 300+ scholarships for 2027

Imperial College London scholarships for 2027 international students funding have been announced. At least 300 scholarships worth £15,000 per year will be available to students from across the world joining Imperial from 2027. The Imperial Inspires programme supports access to undergraduate or postgraduate taught study. It builds on existing funding schemes like the Imperial Bursary for UK students and Presidential Scholarships for Students of Black Heritage.

Details of the President’s PhD Scholarship for 2027-28

Alongside the broader Imperial Inspires awards, a separate fully funded PhD programme is also open for applications. The President’s PhD Scholarship for 2027-28 provides 50 fully funded awards. It is open to both UK and international students, including those from Pakistan, provided they meet strict academic criteria.

Funding covers tuition fees for three and a half years. Recipients also receive an annual stipend of £27,036 for living costs and an additional £2,000 per year for research consumables during the first three years. Applicants must have a first-class undergraduate degree, an integrated Master’s degree, or an equivalent qualification. Those holding a standalone Master’s are normally expected to have achieved a distinction.

The scholarship is for new PhD applicants only. Current Imperial PhD students cannot apply. Candidates must identify and secure agreement from an Imperial academic supervisor before applying, ensuring the proposed research aligns with the supervisor’s expertise. Selection considers academic achievements, transcripts, awards, research experience, and the quality of the proposed research project. Departments may require interviews. Unsuccessful scholarship applicants may still be considered for regular PhD admission.

No separate scholarship application form is required. Applicants must use Imperial’s online admissions system and select the scholarship option in the funding section. Applications for the 2027-28 cohort are accepted in three rounds.

Successful candidates can start their PhD between August 1 and November 1, 2027. They can also participate in training via Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute. Applicants are advised to prepare documents and contact supervisors well before deadlines.

Launch event and alumni engagement in Boston

The new scholarship programme was launched in the United States at a special alumni event in Boston. Andrew Rees, an Imperial Chemistry graduate and CEO of Crocs, Inc., spoke at the event. It was supported by Nicole Kempton, Director of Alumni Engagement, and Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London.

Student profiles and global alumni connections

The college's global network is substantial. There are currently around 380 students from the US studying at Imperial and almost 8,000 alumni based in the US. Current students highlight the international appeal. Natalia Cantu, studying an MRes in Neurotechnology, previously studied at Santa Clara University in California and had a fellowship at Stanford University.

"The opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture while studying at a world-leading university made Imperial an easy choice," Cantu said. Another student, Kate Wexell, studied for an MSc in Climate Change, Management, & Finance at Imperial Business School after attending the University of Missouri-Columbia. She now works as a Researcher in the Centre for Climate Finance & Investment.

How to apply and where to find information

Eligible international students applying for undergraduate study beginning in autumn 2027 can find full details on the Imperial website. The Imperial Inspires webpage provides information on eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and terms and conditions. For the President’s PhD Scholarship, the first deadline is November 2, 2026, with decisions expected by January 31, 2027.