Many of our students are funded on one of the scholarships that are awarded through the Department, College 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.

Scholarships and Doctoral Training Partnerships

Departmental Scholarships

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 8 January 2024.


MSc + PhD departmental scholarship for women

ESE is pleased to offer a departmental scholarship for an MSc + PhD, available to women on one of our computational MSc programmes (ACSE, EDMSL or GEMS). We have up to two scholarships available for 2024 entry into one of these MSc programmes. In addition, we have up to two scholarships available for current female students on one of these MSc programmes to cover a PhD with a 2024 entry date for the PhD.

The scholarships will be awarded to women who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and/or potential and are open to Home and Overseas applicants.

The Scholarship will cover tuition fees for Home or Overseas students and a bursary for the one-year MSc course, followed by a fully-funded stipend at 3.5 year UKRI (plus 3 years tuition at Home or OS rate) PhD in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering. To be eligible for a scholarship, candidates must fulfil the course’s eligibility criteria and must have submitted an application for the MSc course through the Imperial College MSc programme admissions process including submitting all required documents, or currently be on one of our MSc courses.

Deadlines to apply for these scholarships to be confirmed: end May 2024

To be considered for a Scholarship for one of the above MSc programmes in academic year 2024-25, please:

  • If not yet on the MSc, apply for the course via the Imperial College MSc graduate course admissions process by May 2024.
  • For MSc+PhD as well as PhD-only applications: request the online application form from the appropriate course administrator (Sophie Pirouet) or (Ying Ashton), and complete this application form by the deadline (TBC June 2024).

Doctoral Training Programmes

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 college-wide doctoral training programmes, for which scholarships are awarded through the department:

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

This DTP covers projects in a wide range of physics and engineering fields. A list of possible departmental projects that fall under the EPSRC remit can be found here: EPSRC PhD Projects List for 2023. For details regarding EPSRC scholarship/studentship and eligibility criteria please see the EPSRC webpage.

Deadline to apply for EPSRC funding: 8th January 2024.

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Departmental projects in the area of planetary science fall under this remit. A list of possible projects can be found here: STFC PhD Projects List for 2023. For further details regarding STFC scholarship/studentship and eligibility criteria then please see the STFC webpage.

Deadline to apply for STFC funding: 8th January 2024.


The department is also affiliated to the following Centres of Doctoral Training. More information can be found at their respective websites.

NERC DTP in Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet (SSCP)

This DTP covers all areas of science covered by the Natural and Environment Research Council including Solid Earth Science and Climate Research. A list of departmental projects that are approved for the SSCP DTP can be found here: NERC SSCP Projects for 2024.

Deadling to apply for NERC SSCP: 8th January 2024.

CDT in Nuclear Energy Futures

Imperial College Scholarships

The College 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 College scholarship tool.

Deadlines to apply for the President's PhD Scholarships: 

  • Round 1: 6th November 2023
  • Round 2: 8th January 2024
  • Round 3: 4th March 2024

Deadline to apply for CSC, Lee Family and EPSRC CASE:

  • 10th January 2024

For any other college scholarships where deadlines are not yet available, please check the College Scholarship tool for updates.