Imperial College London, President’s PhD Scholarships 2021-2022, UK

Deadline for applications; January 8, 2021

If you are a high performing undergraduate or Master’s student and have a strong desire 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. The President’s PhD Scholarships aims to provide up to 50 research students with great potential the opportunity to work within their chosen research field with the support of an excellent supervisor.

Opportunities for PhD funding via this scheme are extremely competitive, with higher than usual eligibility requirements. Applicants should be confident that they are able to demonstrate outstanding academic performance before applying for this scholarship scheme. Previous successful recipients of the scholarship have ranked highly in their class, often achieving grades of 85% or higher in their degree(s).

The earliest start date for funded places is 1 August 2021, the latest start date is 1 November 2021.

Funding

Successful candidates will receive the following financial support for up to 3.5 years:

• Full funding for tuition fees 
• A stipend of £21,600 per annum to assist with living costs 
• A consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study
• A programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Graduate School

Eligibility

1. Applications are accepted from talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK and worldwide. There are no restrictions on nationality. 
2. Candidates must be among the highest achievers in their undergraduate cohort, and in receipt of, or due to receive a first class UK degree or equivalent. 
3. Candidates with a standalone Master’s qualification must have achieved a distinction or, where this has yet to have been achieved, be able to provide evidence of high performance that will lead to a distinction. They must also hold a first class UK undergraduate degree or equivalent (integrated Masters that form part of an undergraduate degree, e.g. MEng, MSci, M.Math, are assessed by Admissions as an undergraduate qualification when determining eligibility). Candidates with multiple standalone Master’s qualifications must have achieved a distinction in the one most relevant to their PhD study.
4. Candidates with degrees from overseas institutions are strongly urged to determine if their scores/grades are equivalent to the relevant eligibility criteria. 
5. Prior to applying candidates must have made contact with a supervisor in an academic department at Imperial College London who has agreed to supervise their research project. Please note that supervisors are limited to supervise one scholar at any time. Please review the President’s PhD Scholarships – Unavailable Supervisors page for more information. Please note: current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible to be considered for a President’s PhD Scholarship. The scheme is only open to new PhD applications.

How to apply

There is not a specific scholarship application form.  You should submit your application for admission to study at Imperial through our online admissions system and your department will put you forward for the scholarship based on academic merit and potential.

1. When prompted for a personal statement you must ensure that it consists of approx. 1000 words (maximum 2 pages) and outlines your academic and research achievements to date, explaining in brief your planned research project. The selection panel will not consider statements exceeding the 2-page limit. You may submit updated versions of this statement if required following application submission.
2. To be considered for the President’s PhD Scholarship scheme, applicants must select this option in the funding section of the additional questions tab within the online application form.
3. You must also meet any additional application requirements stated by your department of choice.

Eligible candidates will be advanced to the next review and selection process; please see the deadlines below.

Review and selection

Applications will be reviewed by a two-stage process:

1. Candidates meeting or predicted to meet the eligibility requirements will be reviewed by the Department to which they have applied. Departments will select a shortlist of the very best candidates to present to the Imperial College Selection Panel for consideration. 
2. The final decision will be made by the Imperial College Selection Panel. The members of the panel are the Vice-Provost (Research) and the Faculty Vice-Deans for Research. The Panel will consider shortlisted candidates from all Faculties. Scholarships will be awarded to the candidates who show the most potential. 

Candidates are assessed by the Faculties and College Selection Panel against the following criteria:

1. Academic excellence – as demonstrated by past academic results and by transcripts, awards and distinctions. Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they are among the highest achievers in their undergraduate cohort, and in receipt of, or due to receive a first class UK degree or equivalent. Candidates with Master’s qualifications should have achieved a distinction or, where this has yet to be achieved, be able to provide evidence of high performance that will lead to a distinction. They should also hold a first class UK undergraduate degree or equivalent. Previous successful recipients of the scholarship have often achieved grades of 85% or higher in their degree(s). 
2. Research Potential – as demonstrated by the candidate’s research experience to date, his/her interest in discovery, the research plan and its potential contribution as described in their personal statement and in the departmental justification. 
3. Suitability of candidate – as demonstrated by the strength of references, support from the proposed supervisor, and performance at interview.

Successful candidates will receive written confirmation of their scholarship. Any offer of a PhD place will be conditional on final interview by the Department and (if applicable) on the candidate receiving the predicted qualifications.

Applicants not selected for the scholarship will automatically be considered for the PhD.

When should I expect a decision on my scholarship application?

Applications put forward for this scholarship scheme will be considered throughout the academic year.

• Applicants who apply before 6 November 2020 and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by 31 January 2021. 
• Applicants who apply before 8 January 2021 and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by 31 March 2021.
• Applicants who apply before 19 March 2021 and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by 31 May 2021

Source / More information: Official Website.