Many of our students are funded on one of the scholarships that are awarded through the Department, University or through Doctoral Training Programmes that we are affiliated with. Most of these are highly competitive and have application deadlines once a year. A list of the main deadlines (updated in the first part of each academic year) can be found under the guidelines for making an application.
NOTE: Only a single application is needed, even if you would like to be considered for multiple scholarships. Our scholarship panel will evaluate eligibility and suitability when we rank, and if you are shortlisted, we will try to match applicants with the schemes they have the best chances for. Please ensure you apply well before the deadline(s), as it can take some time for your application to be processed by university.
Scholarships and Doctoral Training Partnerships
Most years we have a few scholarships funded through our departmental Janet Watson scheme. These scholarships will cover home (UK-resident) tuition fees for 3 years, a bursary at RCUK rates for a period of 3.5 years, and a small award to cover research and training costs. If funds allow, one or two scholarships may be able to cover full overseas fees for 3 years.
Application deadline for these scholarships is 11th January 2027.
Janet Watson PhD Scholarship in Earth Science and Engineering
We offer a several departmental scholarships for the PhD programme covering any areas of research that staff in our department work on. The scholarships will be awarded to candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and/or potential and will usually have completed an MSc or equivalent previous degree.
The Scholarship will cover a bursary for 3.5 years (at UKRI rate), Home-rate tuition fees for 3 years and a small award to cover research and training costs. Depending on available funds, a few scholarships may be able to cover Overseas tuition fees for 3 years.
Application deadline for these scholarships is 11th January 2027.
Ada Lovelace PhD Scholarship in Computational and Data Science
We also offer a few departmental PhD scholarships for women who have completed a Masters (or equivalent) degree in subject areas related to Computational modelling, Machine Learning, Data Science or Artificial Intelligence. The scholarships will be awarded to candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and/or potential and is open to Home and Overseas applicants. Please talk to the potential supervisor to see if they offer projects eligible for this scholarship.
The Scholarship will cover a bursary for 3.5 years (at UKRI rate), Home- or (for some of the scholarships) Overseas rate tuition fees for 3 years and a small award to cover research and training costs.
Application deadline for these scholarships is 11th January 2027.
Scholarships awarded through these programmes will cover home (UK-resident) tuition fees, and a bursary and RCUK rates, for a period of 3.5 years. These scholarships usually include a small award for research costs. Project lists under the links below are updated in October each year and are indicative of the types of projects that are possible under the remit of the various DTPs. The lists are not exhaustive, nor are the projects listed guaranteed funding.
The department is part of two university-wide doctoral training programmes, for which scholarships are awarded through the department:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
This DTP supports projects across a broad range of physics and engineering disciplines. For information on EPSRC studentship eligibility and funding criteria, please refer to the EPSRC webpage. You may also wish to contact your proposed supervisor, who can advise whether their project falls within the EPSRC remit.
Deadline to apply for EPSRC funding: 11th January 2027.
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
This DTP supports projects across planetary sciences. For information on STFC studentship eligibility and funding criteria, please refer to the STFC webpage. You may also wish to contact your proposed supervisor, who can advise whether their project falls within the STFC remit.
Deadline to apply for STFC funding: 11th January 2027.
The Department is affiliated with the following Centre for Doctoral Training. For further information, please visit the Centre’s website:
Grantham Institute for Climate Change PhD Scholarships
The Grantham Institute for Climate Change offers a number of PhD scholarships in selected areas of climate and environmental science. Please visit their website for details of this year's funded PhD opportunities in ESE and other Imperial departments.
Application deadline: 11 January 2027.
The university also offers a number of scholarships that students interested in applying for a PhD in Earth Science & Engineering can apply for. These include the President’s Scholarship, CSC Scholarship, Lee Family Scholarship. To review application procedures, deadlines and eligibility criteria please use the scholarship tool.
Deadlines to apply for the President's PhD Scholarships:
- Round 1: 2nd November 2026
- Round 2: 11th January 2027
- Round 3: 1st March 2027
For any other university scholarships where deadlines are not yet available, please check the scholarship tool by the university for updates.