Imperial College London

Overview

Imperial College London is one of the most well-regarded universities in the world, with an international reputation in teaching and research. Imperial’s main focus is to develop the next generation of researchers, scientists and academics while using science and innovation to tackle global challenges.

Imperial states it’s the only UK university to focus entirely on science, engineering, medicine and business and it aims to bring together different subjects across those four major areas. Its ambition is to further our understanding of the natural world, solve major engineering problems, be a leader in data science and improve health and wellbeing. This focus makes Imperial one of the most innovative universities in the world.

The institution, which was formally opened in 1907, has had several famous alumni, including; Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin, Roger Bannister, the first person to run a mile in less than four minutes and Queen’s guitarist Brian May, who earned a PhD in astrophysics while there.

The university is spread over nine campuses across London, its main one being in South Kensington, nestled among the capital’s most famous museums. Outside of the lecture hall, students can join over 350 clubs, societies and volunteering projects, giving Imperial’s students a large number of extra-curricular activities to get involved in.

Imperial is made up of four teaching faculties. The engineering faculty consists of subjects like chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and computing, while the faculty of natural sciences includes subjects such as physics, biology and mathematics. The uni’s business school offers business-related degrees, like economics, management and marketing, and the faculty of medicine covers a range of medical subjects, including brain sciences and infectious disease.

Courses at Imperial vary in length. Some take three years to study, but a number of degrees include placement years, study abroad options or an integrated master’s year. These courses usually take four or five years to complete. Most degrees include optional modules, as well as core modules, meaning you can study the degree areas you’re most interested in.

If choosing an engineering degree, for example, you can often decide between studying for a BSc or an MSci. BSc degrees last three years and result in an undergraduate honours degree, whereas, MSci courses tend to last four years and lead to a master’s qualification as well.

Imperial College London is a hard university to get into, as high grades are needed and competition for places is fierce.

As a general rule, Imperial accepts A-levels ranging from A*A*A*–AAA and Scottish Advanced Highers between A1A1A–AAA, but each course has specific entry requirements and you should check these when you apply.

For example, to study an engineering degree at Imperial, applicants are required to score A*A*A*–A*A*A in their A-levels, including A* grades in the relevant subjects, e.g., an A* in maths and physics for aeronautical engineering. If applying with an International Baccalaureate, a minimum score of 40 is usually needed to study an engineering degree at Imperial.

To study a medicine or science degree at Imperial, entry requirements usually ask for A-levels of A*AA–AAA, including an A or A* in the relevant subjects, e.g. maths and chemistry for a chemistry degree.

It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying.

Imperial College London states that over 90% of Imperial undergraduates choose to live in uni halls of residence in their first year. These halls room around 2,500 students who can choose between single and twin options, some of which are located on-campus. The accommodation options cater for different tastes and budgets, with each one having its own character and social scene.

The uni has an application and first year guarantee, meaning all first-year students who choose Imperial as their firm choice are guaranteed a place in college accommodation. It should be noted that to qualify for this, applicants must be eligible and apply by the deadline.

The rent you pay will include your utility bills, internet access, basic contents insurance, maintenance fees, communal cleaning and a halls activity fund contribution, meaning your rent payment is an all-inclusive sum.

Also, the university has taken steps to help ensure students’ safety, as all halls have CCTV and secure entry systems. Any halls that are on campus have a 24-hour manned security office and mobile patrols are carried out on the off-campus accommodations.

If uni halls aren’t for you, however, Imperial can also help find you private accommodation.

An extensive Careers Service is available to students and graduates of Imperial. It organises hundreds of events throughout the academic year which aim to help students with their career journey. For example, regular skills training and workshops are run which cover various career related subjects, like writing CVs and cover letters, succeeding in interviews and understanding psychometric tests.

The service also organises a range of sector specific careers fairs throughout the academic year, giving students the chance to meet employers and find out about recruitment programmes. Students can also use these events to meet recruiters and make other useful contacts that could help when it comes to looking for graduate jobs.

Other events that are organised include career forums, that give an insight into different industry sectors, employer presentations and other networking events, where students can meet with professionals from a range of employers and industries. The Careers Service also runs mock interviews to give students the chance to practice interview techniques with a trained interviewer from the relevant sector.

Imperial’s Careers Service has a website with a lot of information and resources that can be used by students for free.

Imperial offers a number of bursaries and scholarships to give extra financial support to students who meet the eligibility criteria. These don’t need to be repaid.

Scholarships are awarded for excellence in fields like academics, sports and music, while bursaries can be awarded for various reasons and focus more on a student’s personal circumstances.

You can check Imperial’s website for more information on the bursaries and scholarships they provide (and to see if you’re eligible to apply), but we’ve summarised a few of them below.

One of the main bursaries on offer is the Imperial Bursary which is funding that’s worth between £2,000 and £5,000 per year for eligible home students.

Also, the Stevenson Fund gives a contribution of up to £7,500 to female undergraduates who are studying physics, chemistry, maths, life sciences or earth sciences, to take part in an international research placement with a leading female scientist.

Other scholarships and bursaries include the President’s Undergraduate Scholarships, providing £1,000 a year to students who show academic excellence and the Presidential Scholarships for Students of Black Heritage, which provide a package of financial and mentoring support.