Imperial College London Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most major scholarships linked to Imperial are designed for degree programmes where you’re enrolled as an Imperial student (typically full-time, campus-based study in London).

If you’re looking at fully online study (e.g., online-only short courses), scholarships are usually more limited and depend on the specific programme’s terms. A practical approach is to (1) confirm your course is award-bearing and eligible for student funding, then (2) check whether the scholarship explicitly allows distance/online delivery (many specify full-time study).

Imperial is best known for STEM-focused areas, and many scholarships are clustered around science, technology, engineering, medicine, and business. In recipient stories, Lalitha studied Environmental Technology and said Imperial stood out because of its “holistic program design, engagement with industry experts, and real-world consultancy projects.”

• Engineering (incl. civil/environmental/data): Examples include Civil & Environmental Engineering and data-focused programmes highlighted under GREAT Scholarships, plus Imperial-linked engineering scholarships such as civil engineering PhD funding schemes.
• Medicine & health (incl. biomedical): Imperial-linked medicine scholarships exist (including Master’s-level medicine funding options), and some are explicitly open to Home and Overseas applicants depending on the award.
• Business: Imperial Business School programmes have their own scholarship ecosystem (e.g., MBA-related funding), and admissions requirements typically include English proof and supporting materials.
• Humanities (at Imperial): Imperial’s “Humanities” umbrella includes areas like science communication and history of science/medicine; scholarships here are often programme-specific or external (government/charity) rather than broad “humanities faculty” awards.

It varies by scholarship. Some are broadly open to international students, while others target specific countries. For example, GREAT Scholarships at Imperial are listed for students from Egypt, France, Ghana, and Nigeria, and they apply to full-time postgraduate taught master’s programmes.

Often yes, especially if your prior education wasn’t in an accepted English-speaking context (requirements vary by programme). Lalitha wrote, “Apart from the IELTS exam, my course didn’t have extensive standardized test requirements,” and added that “Statement of Purpose plays a crucial role in making one’s application stand out.”

As an example of official programme requirements, Imperial Business School lists minimum scores for common tests (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo) for its programmes and provides detailed guidance on acceptable qualifications.

Yes, but it depends on the degree and department. Programmes set their own academic thresholds (e.g., degree classification or equivalent). In scholarship pathways, the bar can be higher: Imperial-linked scholarships frequently reference top academic performance (such as First-Class Honours/equivalent for certain awards).

From a recipient perspective, Lalitha described herself as “a reasonably good student…[who] maintained a good GPA,” showing that strong academics matter, but your fit and story can also be decisive.

A competitive profile usually combines strong grades with clear evidence of research, leadership, impact, or professional progression, depending on the scholarship. Lalitha believed her shortlist strength came from “strong research and analytical skills” plus “proactiveness” and a clear purpose-driven pivot.

• Merit-heavy scholarships: Some Imperial-linked awards explicitly expect First-Class Honours (or equivalent) and/or a Master’s distinction-level performance.
• Research (PhD) scholarships: These commonly look for academic excellence plus a credible research plan and supervisor fit.
• External/government scholarships (e.g., Chevening): These often weigh leadership, clarity of goals, and impact—Lalitha described the process as “deeply introspective” with scholarship essays central to her preparation.

Document lists vary by programme and scholarship, but common requirements include transcripts, a personal statement/statement of purpose, references, and English language proof (if required). Lalitha stressed that “Statement of Purpose plays a crucial role in making one’s application stand out,” and she specifically prepared for IELTS for her programme.

• Programme application examples (Business School MBA): Typical items include CV, personal statement, degree transcripts, referee details, essays, required test scores (e.g., GMAT/GRE where applicable), and English language scores.
• Scholarship application examples (research scholarships): Some Imperial-linked PhD scholarships call for a personal statement, research proposal, and referee information in addition to the admission application.
• External scholarships: Lalitha noted scholarship preparation involved substantial essay writing and self-analysis—plan time for multiple essays and recommendation/referee coordination.

It depends on what you’re applying for and how. For undergraduates applying via UCAS, you pay the UCAS application fee. For some postgraduate routes, Imperial (or a specific school within Imperial) may charge an application processing fee; for example, Imperial Business School’s Full-Time MBA application includes a £150 application processing fee. Check with the latest information to see if your degree and your subject charge an application fee.