by Last verified: 17 October 2026. We checked this Imperial Inspires scholarship information against Imperial College London’s official funding pages.
Update: Imperial doesn’t list the Imperial Excellence Scholarship from the 2026-27 cycle for 2027 entry. Imperial’s main new award for international students is the Imperial Inspires scholarship: £15,000 (fifteen thousand pounds) a year for each year of your course, with at least 300 awards across four faculties.
Imperial Inspires scholarship at a glance
| Detail | What Imperial says |
|---|---|
| Value | £15,000 a year, for each year of the course |
| Number | At least 300 |
| Faculties | Engineering, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Imperial Business School |
| Who | International students paying the Overseas rate |
| Courses | Full-time undergraduate, or selected full-time postgraduate taught courses |
| Timing | Applications opened September 2026; invitations from October 2026 |
How the Imperial Inspires scholarship works
Imperial doesn’t describe it as automatic. You apply for your course through UCAS (undergraduate) or My Imperial (postgraduate). If you meet the entry and eligibility rules and your course offers the scholarship, Imperial invites you to apply. Undergraduates can also answer an optional essay question.
The page says “selected” postgraduate taught courses, so check that your MSc is on the list before you count on it. Imperial’s How to apply page gives the exact dates.
Worked example: the Imperial Inspires scholarship over a degree
Arjun from Chennai gets a place on a four-year undergraduate engineering course paying the Overseas rate. If he’s selected, he gets £15,000 a year for each year, which is £60,000 (sixty thousand pounds) over four years. A one-year MSc student on a selected course would get £15,000 once.
For more UK funding, see our Chevening guide and fully funded Masters scholarships list.
Applying for the Imperial Inspires scholarship: timing
Imperial’s postgraduate taught courses use application rounds, and the dates differ by department. Your course page lists them. Imperial also advises applicants who need a visa to apply by 18 June. Applying in an early round gives you the best chance at limited awards such as the Imperial Inspires scholarship.
Other Imperial funding worth checking
| Award | Value | Who |
|---|---|---|
| President’s PhD Scholarships | £27,036 stipend (2027-28) | PhD applicants |
| Female Future Leaders Scholarship | £20,000 | MBA applicants |
For the President’s PhD Scholarships, the 2027-28 deadlines are 2 November 2026, 11 January 2027 and 1 March 2027. You can search all awards with Imperial’s scholarships search tool.
English requirements
Imperial uses two English levels. The standard level is IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each part. The higher level is IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each part. Your course page says which level applies.
Checklist for the Imperial Inspires scholarship
- Pick your course and note its English level: standard or higher.
- Find your department’s application rounds on the course page and aim for an early round.
- If you need a visa, apply by 18 June, as Imperial advises.
- If you’re aiming for a PhD instead, note the President’s PhD Scholarship deadlines: 2 November 2026, 11 January 2027 and 1 March 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Imperial Excellence Scholarship still offered?
Imperial doesn’t list it for 2027 entry. Instead, Imperial Inspires is the main new award for international students.
Is every MSc eligible?
No. Only selected postgraduate taught courses offer it.
Does Imperial fund overseas PhD students?
Yes. The President’s PhD Scholarships pay a £27,036 stipend for 2027-28. The first deadline is 2 November 2026.
Official sources
- Imperial College London – Imperial Inspires scholarships
- Imperial College London – Terms and conditions, 2027 entry
- Official page – Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships
- Official page – Imperial English language requirements
- Official page – Imperial postgraduate taught deadlines
- Official page – Imperial scholarships search
Scholarship terms change. Always confirm on Imperial’s official pages before you apply.
