FAQs

How can I find out the outcome of my application?

Please check the status by logging on to the Imperial College PhD admissions system where you submitted your application.

For concerns, please reach out in the first instance to the PhD Programme Administrator, Dr Amani El-Kholy, +44 (0)20 7594 8220, or email her at: a.o.el-kholy@imperial.ac.uk

If I receive an admission offer, does it mean that I have received funding?

No. An offer for admission allows you to access to the doctoral degree if you meet all the conditions stated in the offer and if you can self-fund the fees for your degree. If you are awarded a studentship by our department or the University, you will be notified with a separate email.

How long will it take to process my application?

Processing times depend on multiple factors, such as whether you submit by the advertised deadlines, the lag before we receive reference letters, the time it takes for the University Registry, the department, and prospective supervisors to screen and possibly shortlist your application for interview. Normally, a final decision on most applications is reached by the notification timelines advertised in our PhD page. However, if an application has a significant chance to be accepted after the notification deadline, we may still retain it under consideration for longer until a final determination can be made on its outcome.

I have a concern, who should I raise it to?

For concerns, please reach out in the first instance to the PhD Programme Administrator, Dr. Amani El-Kholy, +44 (0)20 7594 8220, or email her via: a.o.el-kholy@imperial.ac.uk.

How can I be admitted to a Centre for Doctoral Training?

Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) run a separate admission process from departments and can award CDT studentships to fund their students. You should follow the instructions on the CDT website in order to put an application to a CDT degree. You will need to be accepted both by the department and by the CDT in order to access a CDT degree.  If you are unsure about the status of your application, you may query the CDT administration team.

What are the possibilities for funding?

There are various routes for funding, depending on whether you are a home or an overseas applicant. Take a look at the Departmental and University Scholarships page for full details.

In summary, the Department normally holds around five full studentships per year under an EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award, for applicants who meet the UKRI home-fee residency conditions.

For overseas applicants, the University provides various international scholarships, which are also listed under the Departmental and University Scholarships page.

The Department may make available a number of competitive awards a year in addition, which make a contribution to a bursary and/or to fees. Students holding a departmental award contribute up to 100 hours of teaching support per academic year. This is distinct from the Doctoral Teaching Scholarship, a 4.5-year award whose holders undertake around 15 months full-time equivalent of teaching in exchange for a higher stipend and full fees.

There are also various area-specific scholarships.

How are the Departmental Scholarships decided?

The Departmental Scholarships are ranked competitively based on merit and student eligibility for the scheme under consideration, decided as indicated in the advertised scholarship citation.

How many students do you accept each year?

How many get a University Scholarship each year? 

This depends on the number of applicants across the University as well as on the number of awards the University has available and both of these vary from year to year. The number awarded to Computing is usually between two and four. Several additional scholarships are awarded directly by the department. 

What is the deadline for University and Departmental Scholarships?

There are few deadlines throughout the year. To increase your chances in the competition for scholarships and funding, we recommend that you apply by one of the dates listed on the PhD admissions page. If they meet eligibility requirements, applicants will be ranked for all the departmental and University-funded scholarships they are eligible for, without the need to make a separate request.

Prospective applicants to the President’s PhD Scholarship must indicate their intention to apply to this scheme in the application form. Further information about scholarship deadlines can be found on the scholarships page.

What is the deadline for other applications?

Normally, an application should be received at least by the end of June if it is to be processed in time for entry in the following October.

What are the start dates for the PhD degree?

 PhD students can start in October, January, or April of the academic year they are accepted for.

Can I defer to the following year?

The request will be screened by both the department and the supervisor. Normally, applicants accepted in an academic year who wish to reapply in the following year will need to submit a new application, however they may not need to undergo a new interview unless they seek to change supervisory arrangements. In some cases it will not be possible to postpone entry; for example, the PhD topic may be linked to a grant that cannot be delayed.

What happens to my application after I have submitted it?

After making an application the Registry checks your eligibility according to the minimal criteria set by the University. The Department may require higher qualifications than the minimum. 

Assuming you qualify, the application is passed to the Department. When we receive you application it is considered by the admissions team and potential supervisors are invited to contact you to discuss possible research topics. Shortlisted applicants are then interviewed, often via teleconference (e.g., Zoom, Teams), and possibly made an offer depending on the interview outcome.

What should I put in the research statement?

You can find detailed information on preparing your research statement in our PhD application guidelines.

How can I optimise my chances?

Apply early as some supervisors/ areas are very popular and places may be filled early in the year. Include a full transcript, a personal statement, and a research statement with your application relevant to the interests of your prospective supervisor(s); the first is needed before we can formally consider your application and the second will help give us a good idea of the area in which you wish to work. The more details you can give, the more likely it is that a supervisor can be found for you.

If I am already doing an MEng/ MSci or MSc course at Imperial what marks do I need to get in the exams and for my project?

The expectation is that your average marks will be over, or near 70%, with a significant number of individual grades over 70% (First-class/Distinction level), and the project will be First Class/ Distinction.

I do not know what I want to do my PhD in, what should I do?

You could browse the description of the different research groups in the Department and have a look at the webpages of the staff members. This will give an overview of their research topics. If you do not already have a Masters degree you could consider taking the MSc Advanced Computing (or possibly the MSc in Computing Science) depending on your background. You may also consider our MRes AI and Machine Learning degree.

This gives you an opportunity to pursue potential interests through courses and a project prior to committing to a PhD. If you are also studying in the Department you should also keep your personal tutor abreast of your plans and seek his/her advice.

What range of support services do you offer for enrolled PhD students?

What can I do if I experience unforeseen financial difficulties?

You should, first of all, approach the PhD team in particular your supervisor followed by the PhD office. Additionally, the University has a hardship fund to help with unexpected financial hardship. 

What is the process for receiving an admission offer?

Only formal offer letters issued by the Imperial University Registry constitute an official admission offer to a degree programme. These letters are issued following a successful interview, provided that your prospective supervisor(s) recommend your acceptance and you meet all departmental and University entry requirements. Please note that some time may elapse between the conclusion of your interview and the issuance of the offer letter, often due to pending reference checks that must first be reviewed by the Department and the University before the formal offer can be finalised.

What is the process for receiving a PhD scholarship offer?

Scholarship offers are made exclusively through formal offer letters issued by Imperial College London, the Department, or one of our Centres for Doctoral Training. These letters specify the terms and conditions of the award, along with the deadlines for formally accepting the scholarship.

What is the process for admission interviews?

A prospective supervisor may invite you to take part in preliminary discussions or assessments (e.g., programming exercises) before shortlisting you for a formal admission interview. Formal interviews are normally conducted by two or more academics from the Department and may also involve other members of their research groups, such as current PhD students. If you have concerns about the time available to prepare for an interview, you should inform your prospective supervisor(s) in advance and explore the option to reschedule it.

Can I extend my PhD admission offer reply deadline if I am still waiting for a funding decision?

Yes, this is normally possible. Please get in touch with PhD Programme Administrator, Dr. Amani El-Kholy, +44 (0)20 7594 8220, or email her via: a.o.el-kholy@imperial.ac.uk

Where can I find more information about study visas?

Please consult the University Visa and Immigration pages. These also include details about ATAS. You may also want to look at the costs of the Immigration Health Surcharge for a Student visa (see the relevant item on this page).