Imperial College London logo

Imperial College London

London, UK · Ranking #3

Imperial College London, founded in 1907, is a leading UK research university focused on science, engineering, medicine, and business. Located in London, it is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. Imperial is known for innovation, strong industry partnerships, and high-impact research in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, climate science, and engineering. Its close connections with global companies and startups provide strong career opportunities for graduates.

Imperial College London logo

Imperial College London

About the university

Imperial College London, founded in 1907, is a leading UK research university focused on science, engineering, medicine, and business. Located in London, it is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. Imperial is known for innovation, strong industry partnerships, and high-impact research in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, climate science, and engineering. Its close connections with global companies and startups provide strong career opportunities for graduates.

Key information

  • Location: London, UK
  • Ranking #3
  • QS #2
  • THE #8
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Medicine
  • Faculty of Natural Sciences
  • Imperial College Business School

Programs (22)

  • Medicine
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Nursing
  • Dentistry
  • Veterinary Science
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Pharmacy
  • Psychology
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Telecommunications
  • Economics
  • Engineering
  • Data Science
  • Environmental Science

Student body

  • Total students: 22,000
  • Undergraduate: 11,000
  • Graduate: 11,000
  • International students: 58%

Campus life

Imperial College offers a vibrant campus life combining academic, social, and athletic opportunities. Students can join over 300 clubs and societies, participate in competitions, or engage in arts and cultural events. The campus is centrally located in South Kensington, providing easy access to London’s museums, theaters, and tech hubs, supporting a rich student experience.

Housing & accommodation

Housing options

  • On-campus halls of residence
  • university-managed apartments
  • private student housing
  • shared flats in London

Student clubs and organizations

  • academic societies
  • cultural and arts clubs
  • volunteering groups
  • entrepreneurship societies
  • professional associations
  • debate
  • robotics
  • music
  • drama;

Sports

  • football
  • rugby
  • rowing
  • athletics
  • swimming
  • martial arts
  • ultimate frisbee
  • basketball
  • netball
  • hockey
  • climbing.

Career & internships

Employment rate: 95%

Partner companies

  • BP
  • Shell
  • GSK
  • DeepMind
  • Google

Internships: Internships are mainly available to enrolled students through industry placements and research projects. Some undergraduate programs include a year in industry. Pre-college summer schools are available for high school students, but regular internships before admission are generally not offered.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

Required documents

  • Completed application
  • Academic transcripts
  • English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • Personal statement
  • Reference letter(s)
  • CV (for postgraduate)
  • Application fee (if applicable)

Minimum GPA: 3.8

Tuition costs

  • £9,250 - £45,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 14.00%
  • Scholarships available: Imperial offers merit-based and need-based scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. International students may apply for President’s Undergraduate Scholarships and various departmental awards. At postgraduate level, funding includes scholarships, research studentships, and external grants. Many PhD students receive full funding covering tuition and living expenses.
  • Additional costs: In addition to tuition, students should consider accommodation, food, health surcharge (for visas), books, laboratory fees, personal expenses, and transportation in London. Living costs in London are relatively high compared to other UK cities.

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1907
  • Teaching languages: English
  • Study formats: offline

Contact

  • Website: https://www.imperial.ac.uk