PhD

PhD applications

We are one of the largest computer science departments in the UK and a world leader in academic research, offering an exciting research environment for prospective postgraduate students.

The Department is actively involved in a number of Centres for Doctoral Training, such as the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Healthcare (AI4Health). Every year between 50-70 successful applicants are accepted for the PhD programme in the Department. We have a wide variety of scholarships for PhD students, including funding from research councils, research projects, industry, and teaching scholarships. More than 80% of our PhD students receive funding.

Applicants are expected to have a First Class or Distinction Masters level degree, or equivalent, in a relevant scientific or technical discipline, such as computer science or mathematics. Candidates who have only a Bachelors degree will not normally be considered, but they can apply to first do an MSc Degree in the Department.

Applications for 2025 entry will open in October 2024 and afterwards can be made at any time during the year. Applicants for the main departmental PhD degree should select the 'Computing Research' degree in their applications. Instead, the 'AI and Machine Learning' degree should be selected only by applicants to the AI4Health CDT. There is at present no application fee.

However, we would particularly advise all overseas candidates in the need of funding to apply by the December deadline. Depending on the number of scholarship offers that we will issue, there may still be some funding available for applications received afterwards.

Note that if you are accepted by a supervisor, but do not receive a funding offer by the notification deadline, then it is likely that you have not been awarded funding. Unless otherwise communicated to you, your funding request will then remain under consideration for the following funding rounds. If your funding application is successful later during the year, you will receive a notification. You can refer to the FAQ if you need to check the status of your application in due course.

We have a wide range of funds and we do our best to find the most appropriate for each candidate. To give you an idea of what funds are available please see the scholarships page. 

Please note that we will normally consider your application only after you have formally applied and your application has been received by the Department. Therefore we recommend that you submit an application prior to contacting academics about research topics.

Details on the application process are available in the application guidelines page. After preparing your application, you can submit it using the College online application system, which you can access by going to the:

Applications are formally processed by the Department only when the full paperwork has been received and processed by the College Registry. So we strongly advise you to read:

• Postgraduate prospectus
• Application guidance notes
• Postgraduate research admissions policy

We believe in the importance of diversity in both our department and the research fields we work in. We aim to create and foster a collaborative environment within the department where everyone feels welcome. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and ages to apply, in particular women, disabled, BAME and LGBTQIA+ candidates. Imperial College London is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The Department has an equal opportunities policy and encourages applications from people with disabilities. You are invited to declare your disability to our PhD Admissions Tutor in order to discuss early on suitable arrangements for your PhD studies. Please also see the College's arrangements for people with disabilities.