Breakthroughs need bright minds: WE NURTURE BOTH
Study for your PhD at the UK's University of the Year
The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022Sign up to learn more about PhD study at Imperial
Your head start
If you are a high performing student and who wants to undertake a PhD programme at a world-class research institution, you could be selected to receive full tuition fees and a generous stipend for a PhD place at Imperial College London.
Our President’s PhD Scholarships provide the opportunity for 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.
Our scholars are talented students from all backgrounds and nationalities, undertaking research across a diverse range of topics from fundamental science to societal and global challenges.
Imperial College London is a global top 10 university. Unique in the UK for its specialist focus, our courses open doors to the latest thinking in engineering, science, medicine, business and technology.
We’re focused on building a better world through world-leading research, transformative teaching and life-changing innovation.
Join our mailing list to find out what your future self can do here.
Your door to the future
- Join a global community of world leading researchers, delivering globally influential research.
- Gain a breadth of skills to enhance your employability via free professional development courses.
- Enjoy lifelong access to a global alumni network, including entrepreneurs and leaders in every sector.
- Benefit from professional careers guidance that is tailored to your specific career goals.
- Test an idea or tackle a pressing social or environmental challenge, with a raft of practical support from our Enterprise Lab.
- As a President’s PhD Scholarship recipient, take part in a programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Graduate School.
Your community
We're proud to have one of the most diverse student populations in the UK.
60% of our students come from outside of the UK, from over 140 different countries, bringing with them an amazing array of cultures and customs.
So whoever you are and whatever your story, you'll be welcomed and accepted.
Vladimir – Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction
"Studying at Imperial as a PhD student is a very rewarding experience in a stimulating environment. The President’s PhD Scholarship was the only way for me to study at Imperial; it has enabled me a stable source of income to cover the costs of living and therefore be able to focus entirely on my studies and research."
Nora – School of Public Health
"The support allows me to thrive in the world’s epicentre for knowledge creation in my field of research, offers me full academic freedom and allows me to dedicate myself completely to my research without worrying about finances."
Ferdinando – Mathematics
“The Imperial President’s PhD Scholarship is a prestigious and generous award from a top university, which helps a lot with the cost of living in London. I have enjoyed all of the opportunities that came up thanks to excellent training I received and the people I met in the cohort of scholars and in the wider community at Imperial.”
Salina – National Heart and Lung Institute
"The cultural diversity of Imperial is truly enriching and has opened my eyes to many new and different ways of thinking and doing science. Additionally, the President’s Scholars community is amazing."
May-Yin – Chemical Engineering
"The generous stipend in comparison to other scholarships was a big draw. I liked that the scholarship was not tied to a specific department/project; we had the freedom to choose exactly what we wanted to work on for our PhDs."
Allison – School of Public Health
"It is great that such a diverse set of scholars (in both research topics and people) get to come together. Despite COVID, I have benefited from the camaraderie and the support system offered by the other President's PhD scholars."
Your award-winning student experience
- Over 350 student-led clubs, societies and projects
- A range of student-led volunteering projects in the UK and overseas
- Lunchtime music concert series, bringing world-class performers to campus every week during term-time
- Free fine art classes tailored to different approaches
- Evening classes covering arts, humanities, science and a wide range of languages
Your new home
Ranked the world's best city for students by QS, London is truly a global city. It's also somewhere you can feel genuinely at home.
And with buses, trains, cycle lanes and planes leading to all kinds of destinations at all hours, you're never too far from friends, family – or your next adventure.
A global job market
Studying in London puts a global marketplace on your doorstep, with many opportunities to visit leading organisations, attend networking events and start building a list of valuable professional contacts.
Global startup hub
As a city bursting with creativity, London has established itself as one of the best places in the world to start a business.
Unrivalled culture
Four UNESCO world heritage sites, 192 museums, 800+ art galleries, a world famous theatre scene... all just a short journey away from our South Kensington home.
London is open
In London, we don’t just accept people’s differences, we celebrate them. It's a place where over 300 languages are spoken and where you can eat, shop and enjoy entertainment from around the world without leaving the city.
Graduate Route Visa
If you’re an international student and looking to launch your career in the UK when you graduate, you’ll be able to take advantage of the new Graduate Route visa. This lets you stay in the UK for up to two years after your studies, allowing you to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop your career as required, without the need for sponsorship during that time.
Your unrivalled location
The majority of postgraduate study takes place on our main London campus in South Kensington, which is well served by two Tube lines and many buses.
An on-going development, our new White City Campus provides a hub for sciences, tech and creative businesses, education and research.
Nearby Hammersmith Campus allows unique opportunities to further the College’s extensive work in healthcare translation and collaboration with the NHS.