Imperial College London

Overview

The Imperial Doctoral Programme at Imperial College London offers a fully funded, immersive PhD experience designed to prepare students for research-led careers in both academia and industry. Over the course of five years, participants will become integral members of a collaborative research community, enhancing their advanced research and teaching abilities while working alongside world-renowned faculty throughout the College.

What you'll study

This programme expertly blends structured skills training with rigorous research work. The curriculum begins with core quantitative foundations and research-oriented modules, transitioning into specialized topics aligned with your doctoral research.

Core training (examples of topics)

• Probability and measure-theoretic foundations
• Inequalities and entropy
• Laws of Large Numbers
• Normal distribution and related limit results
• Moment generating functions (MGFs) and characteristic functions
• Central Limit Theorem (CLT)
• Linear regression and least squares
• Linear algebra, including eigenvalues and eigenvectors
• Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
• Optimal control
• Value functions and the Bellman equation
• Modelling constraints and related restrictions

Research and academic development

• Ongoing research supervision and progress monitoring
• Participation in seminars, workshops, and engagement with the research community
• Development of academic writing and presentation skills

Teaching development (Graduate Teaching Assistant programme)

• In-house training for Graduate Teaching Assistants (where applicable)
• Opportunities to support taught modules through tutorials, office hours, online tutoring, and assessment support

Thesis / dissertation

Your doctoral degree is awarded upon the successful completion of a research thesis or dissertation, alongside the required examination process. Specific milestones and examination criteria will be established by the programme and in accordance with Imperial’s doctoral regulations.

Entry requirements

• Degree: A robust academic background in a relevant discipline, typically in quantitative fields such as mathematics, statistics, economics, engineering, or computer science. Specific degree prerequisites may vary based on the doctoral research area.
• English language: Acceptable qualifications include TOEFL iBT or IELTS, meeting the minimum scores set by Imperial for this programme.
• Standardised tests: GMAT or GRE scores may be required, depending on your application route and academic profile (please verify the exact requirements on the programme website).
• Additional materials: A statement of purpose and any supporting documentation as specified in the application process.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Imperial Doctoral Programme are well-equipped for a variety of career paths in research, academia, and industry. The comprehensive training and experience gained throughout the programme enable alumni to excel in roles that demand advanced analytical and research skills, contributing significantly to their fields of expertise.