Imperial College London

Imperial College London is a research-intensive university based in the heart of London, offering world-class degrees exclusively in engineering, science, business and medicine. It’s the only university in the UK with such a focus, resulting in a high standard for higher education that is recognised worldwide. Imperial is rated 6th in the UK according to the Complete University Guide 2024 rankings. 

Imperial College London was founded in 1907 by royal charter and has welcomed students from all over the world ever since. Today over 17,000 students are enrolled at the university. 

Located in the centre of the UK capital, students at Imperial benefit from having many international companies, start-up businesses and innovative research councils just a stone’s throw away. The city is an incubator for research, tech and commerce, and students can take advantage of a wealth of industry placement opportunities and graduate schemes both during and after their studies. 

Imperial has a vibrant student community, with more than 380 clubs, societies and activities to choose from. Outside of the university, students have endless options for entertainment, culture, shopping, dining and nightlife as soon as they leave the London campus. 

Imperial College London has a rich history of achievement and prestige, with notable alumni including Alexander Fleming, David Irving and Brian May. 

Imperial College London is the only university in the UK to focus exclusively on science, engineering, business and medicine. This disciplinary focus allows the university to provide a strong range of postgraduate study options, ranging across taught and research degrees from postgraduate certificate to post-doctorate levels. 

Students can also access remote learning opportunities at Imperial, such as the MSc in Business Analytics which can be completed entirely online. In addition, the option to study courses like an MBA on a part-time basis is perfect for professionals looking to open up new opportunities without compromising on their current work or earning potential. 

Imperial College seeks to build expert faculties across all of its departments, allowing students to utilise and contribute to the knowledge of their lecturers and teachers. Its Department of Life Sciences, for example, is an accredited centre of excellence in the UK for both research and training. The department is one of the most highly funded in the country for life sciences and is home to a wide range of research groups.  

This level of research intensity provides students with an inspiring and informative environment in which to complete their studies, learning in real-time from active researchers. 

Students looking to apply for postgraduate study at Imperial College will need to satisfy a number of entry requirements before they can receive an offer of study. 

In most cases, the minimum academic requirement for a master’s degree is a 2:2 grade in an undergraduate honours course, though many programmes ask for a 2:1 or more. A master’s degree is usually needed to successfully apply for a research programme. 

Satisfying the academic criteria does not guarantee the success of a student’s application, and a variety of other factors such as previous experience, references and English language proficiency (for overseas students) may also be considered. 

Examples of entry requirements for postgraduate study programmes include: 

MSc Epidemiology – an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade of 2:1 or more is required, in subjects such as maths, medicine, biological science or medicine 

MSc Risk Management and Financial Engineering – an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade of 2:1 is required, in a subject that is quantitative in nature. A robust career plan supported by individual research is also needed. 

MSc Physics – a first-class undergraduate degree is required in physics, or another scientific discipline with strong physics and mathematical components. 

Entry requirements may vary so checking the relevant course page is encouraged. 

Postgraduate study at Imperial provides students with the opportunity to learn with subject matter experts and world-leading academics throughout their course. They’ll also be able to access professional and research training opportunities through the university’s Graduate School for the duration of their studies.  As a result, students graduate from Imperial with valued qualifications and empowering professional and academic networks. 

Imperial also maintains a dedicated Professional Skills Development Programme, which is home to more than 100 different courses that help students cultivate key skills to help them progress. They range from study skills such as research effectiveness and presentation masterclasses, to career skills like project management and searching for jobs. 

The Imperial College Careers Service is available to support students from day one of their studies and up to three years beyond their graduation. They offer a broad range of career support services, like one-to-one advice and helpful resources, as well as dedicated assistance for entrepreneurs to help them turn their vision into real-world success. 

Accommodation

Whether a student is looking for purpose-built postgraduate accommodation close to campus or an individual property in a London neighbourhood of their choice, Imperial assists students in finding their perfect living arrangement. 

Possible accommodation options for postgraduates include: 

• Silwood park, a campus specifically for postgraduate students in the village of Sunninghill, Berkshire. This research centre hosts five separate halls of residence that are perfect for graduate students studying at the campus. 
• Gradpad, a postgraduate-only private halls that offers modern, self-contained studios that are inclusive of bills and internet. A 24-hour concierge is also on site. More than 7,000 students from different institutions enjoy simple, social living in central London when staying in Gradpad. 
• Privately rented accommodation, available all over London for students who want to immerse themselves in the city and live with friends. Imperial can offer guidance around finding a suitable home, support with contracts and more. The university also has a dedicated accommodation search service, with personal alerts and a message board. 

Imperial College London seeks to attract and empower students from all over the world, rewarding enthusiasm, talent and potential for success. As a result, the university has developed a broad range of scholarships and bursaries to help remove the barriers to study and encourage success among all its students. Some of the available awards include: 

Sanctuary Scholarships – designed to provide financial assistance to students who are refugees, asylum seekers or members of displaced communities. Suitable for taught master’s students, covering tuition fees and providing a stipend for living costs and educational equipment. 

Presidential PhD Scholarships – aimed at high achieving master’s students seeking to do a PhD programme at Imperial, providing funding for tuition, a yearly stipend and funding for research consumables. 

Research Council PhD Studentships – for successful applicants conducting relevant research, providing tuition funding and a stipend to cover living costs. Opportunities can vary from year to year so applicants should consult research councils’ websites. 

There are also a huge variety of scholarships or bursary awards available from non-Imperial institutions, ranging from charitable institutions to private companies, charitable endowments and foreign governments. Students can make use of Imperial’s scholarship search tool to find awards that they are eligible for.