Imperial College London

About the University

Imperial College London traces its history back to the Royal College of Chemistry, founded in 1845, and to several other South Kensington institutions with roots going back to the 1820s. The college itself was formed in 1907 by bringing these royal colleges together, and spent most of the 20th century as part of the federal University of London before becoming a fully independent university in its own right in 2007.

Location

Imperial’s main campus is in South Kensington, central London, with its academic departments spread across buildings on and around this site. Being based in central London means students are close to the city’s transport network, museums, and the wider opportunities of a major capital city.

What Students Can Study

Imperial focuses specifically on science, engineering, medicine, and business, without the broader arts and humanities offering of many other large universities. Its Faculty of Engineering was rated the top engineering faculty in the UK in the most recent national Research Excellence Framework assessment. Specific course content, structure, and entry requirements vary by department and should be checked directly with the university.

Why Students Consider This University

Students often consider Imperial specifically because of its focused subject range — science, engineering, medicine, and business — rather than a broad general offering, combined with a central London, campus-based setting. That focus suits students who already know they want to study in one of those areas, more than students looking for a wide spread of subject choice.

Studying in London

StudyUKToday covers London as one of its UK study destinations, including what the city itself is like for students, alongside Imperial College London.

See our full London guide →

More Universities in London

London is also home to 23 other universities StudyUKToday covers:

• Birkbeck, University of London
• Brunel University London
• City St George's, University of London
• Goldsmiths, University of London
• King's College London
• Kingston University
• London Metropolitan University
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• London South Bank University
• Middlesex University
• Northeastern University London
• Queen Mary University of London
• Ravensbourne University London
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• St Mary's University, Twickenham
• University College London
• University of East London
• University of Greenwich
• University of Law
• University of Roehampton
• University of the Arts London
• University of West London
• University of Westminster

Applying to Imperial College London

StudyUKToday can help with your application to Imperial College London: understanding your course options, preparing your documents, matching you to the right course, and preparing and submitting your application. This is free for students; we're paid by the university once you enrol, not by you.

Imperial College London makes its own admissions decisions. We support and guide your application; we don't decide the outcome.

Important Information

Course availability, entry requirements, tuition fees, application deadlines, and other admissions requirements can change and vary by course. Always confirm current details directly with Imperial College London or with our team before relying on them.