Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
- IELTS
- 7
- Components
- L 6.5 / R 6.5 / W 6.5 / S 6.5
- Level
- PhD
- Deadline
- 12 January 2026 (notification by 31 March 2026); 2 March 2026 (notification by 31 May 2026)
Last verified: 2026-03
About Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships
The Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships are among the most prestigious doctoral awards in the UK. They offer full tuition fees at the international rate, an enhanced annual stipend of approximately GBP 24,500, and additional research and travel funding. Around 50 scholarships are awarded annually across all departments at Imperial College London.
IELTS Required
| Overall | L | R | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
Accepts: Academic ✓ / General ✗
Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 100, PTE Academic 69
Tips for Meeting the Requirement
- 1Imperial requires IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component. The component threshold of 6.5 is lower than some other top UK universities, but the 7.0 overall still requires strong all-round performance.
- 2As a PhD scholarship, your research proposal and academic credentials are paramount. However, a strong IELTS score above the minimum can demonstrate the communication skills essential for doctoral research.
- 3Imperial also accepts PTE Academic (69+) and TOEFL iBT (100+). If you are struggling to reach 7.0 overall on IELTS, consider whether an alternative test might better suit your strengths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IELTS requirement for Imperial President's PhD Scholarship?
How competitive is the Imperial President's PhD Scholarship?
Does Imperial College accept IELTS One Skill Retake?
Need Band 7? Find out where you stand.
Submit one essay. See your band score on all 4 criteria in 60 seconds. Know exactly what to fix before you apply.
Connect with scholarship winners
Our community includes students who successfully secured IELTS-requiring scholarships. Get real advice on applications and preparation.