Imperial College London

This science and technology university (Imperial College London) is routinely ranked among the world’s Top 10 institutions by all major rating agencies – SUMMIYA YASMEEN

Scattered across nine campuses in London, Imperial College (estb.1907) is routinely ranked among the world’s Top 10 universities for its high-quality academic programmes and research. Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rank Imperial College London (ICL) #8 in their World University Rankings 2015, while the Sunday Times University Guide 2016 ranks it #3 in the UK. A science and technology university (it doesn’t offer arts and humanities programmes), UK’s latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) rates 91 percent of Imperial research as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” — the highest rating of any varsity in the UK.

Currently, Imperial college London offers undergrad, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in the faculties of medicine, engineering, natural sciences and business to 14,700 students from 125 countries around the world. Over the past 109 years, Imperial College London has contributed numerous cutting-edge innovations to society including discovery of penicillin, development of holography and the principles of fibre optics. Imperial College faculty and alumni include 14 Nobel laureates, two Fields medalists, 73 fellows of the Royal Society, 81 fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering and 81 fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Unsurprisingly, ICL graduates are highly sought after: the New York Times (2012) ranked ICL graduates among the Top 10 most-welcomed in the global job market.

A member of the Russell Group of 24 research-intensive universities, Imperial College London was established in 1907 following the amalgamation of the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines and the City & Guilds College. In its centenary year (2007), it became independent of the University of London and was awarded the status of a university in its own right.

London. With a population of 8.5 million — of whom over 300,000 are students — London boasts some of the world’s best-known monuments, buildings, museums, galleries, sports clubs, restaurants, clubs, shopping centres and theatres. The nine campuses of Imperial College are scattered across London, and offer students easy access to museums, art galleries, the British Library, as well as the archives of numerous professional organisations.

Moreover, ICL students are ideally located to network with globally respected corporates and employers for internships and job placements. There are also many part-time work opportunities in London for students needing to work while studying (international students are permitted to work 10-20 hours a week during term and full-time during vacations).

Campus facilities. Imperial College London sprawls over nine campuses in Charing Cross, Chelsea and Westminster, Hammersmith, White City, North West London Hospitals, Royal Brompton, Silwood Park, South Kensington and St. Mary’s. The main South Kensington campus is a compact site in the heart of ‘Albertopolis’ which offers a range of architectural styles from the Edwardian Royal School of Mines building to the ultra-modern Norman Foster-designed Business School. There’s plenty of green space too, including a beautiful landscaped square, with the famous Queen’s Tower.

Facilities in South Ken include a campus library, sports facilities, the Imperial College Union, Students Hub (one-stop-shop for all major student services), catering outlets, health and dental surgery, disability advisory service and Early Years Education Centre. Most of the engineering, science and business programmes are based out of South Kensington while the other campuses host medical teaching and research facilities.

Each campus has its own library which provides support to the programmes offered on-site as well as an extensive range of books, journals, electronic resources and other reference material. Sports facilities include four gyms, two swimming pools and an equal number of sports halls. The Blyth Centre for Music and Visual Art offers 11 music practice rooms, concert series and art workshops. Moreover, there are over 340 student clubs and societies which host social and cultural activities through the year.

Admission. All students applying to Imperial College (or to any university in Britain) have to apply through the Undergraduate College Admissions Service (UCAS, www.ucas.com). The UCAS code for Imperial College London is I50. Eligibility requirements are successful completion of class XII (CISCE/CBSE boards) with an average of 90 percent and a score of 90/95 percent in majors and English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson Academic test scores). Students must also submit a personal statement and academic references apart from secondary school report cards. In addition, each academic department (particularly medical) may specify supplementary admission requirements.

Competition for admission into Imperial College London’s undergraduate programmes is very stiff, with an average of seven applications received for every available seat. The last date for submitting admission applications for medicine is October 15 while for other disciplines, it is January 15.

Admission applications for entry into postgraduate programmes must be made directly to the university (online applications only). The minimum eligibility requirements are a first class bachelor’s degree and English language proficiency.

For further information, contact Imperial College London, Level 3 Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ; e-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]; website:www.imperial.ac.uk.

Accommodation. The college offers a variety of residential options from modern purpose-built halls of residence to converted Victorian town houses sited within walking distance of the campus. The halls are self-catered, and offer shared kitchens and laundry facilities. For those requiring private accommodation, Imperial Home Solutions offers a property searching website exclusive to ICL students.

Degree programmes. Imperial College London offers over 100 undergraduate and 150 Masters study programmes across the faculties of medicine, engineering, natural sciences and business (see box).