Imperial College London

Overview

Imperial College London is consistently ranked among the top universities globally and forms part of the prestigious Golden Triangle of elite British institutions, alongside Oxford and Cambridge. The University is internationally renowned for its science, engineering, medicine, and business programmes. More recently, Imperial’s Humanities department has also gained recognition for its academic offerings.

As a member of the Russell Group, Imperial College London is recognised for its excellence in research and teaching. It is ranked 6th in the UK by The Times Good University Guide 2025 and 2nd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025. With a strong tradition of innovation, the university has produced 14 Nobel Prize winners and 81 Fellows of the Medical Sciences.

Imperial’s main campus is located in South Kensington, central London. Originally a constituent college of the University of London, Imperial became fully independent in 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of its founding.

Services for International Students

Imperial College London provides robust support for its international student body. The International Student Support team offers advice on UK student visas, immigration, and working regulations during and after study. Additionally, pre-arrival communications, welcome events, and orientation sessions help students settle into life at Imperial.

Throughout the year, the university organises trips to well-known locations around the UK, offering international students the chance to explore the country. Imperial also has links with external organisations that provide homestays, further enriching the international student experience.

Ranking

• 6th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 5th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• 2nd in the QS World University Rankings 2025
• 8th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
• 23rd in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023

Imperial has a greater proportion of world-leading research than any other UK university, according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. The results are Imperial's best-ever in the UK’s research assessment exercise, showing improvements in every assessment area.

The College ranks top in the UK overall – with a greater proportion of 4* “world-leading” research than any other UK university. Imperial ranks first in the UK for research outputs, first in the UK for research environment, and first for research impact among Russell Group universities.

Accommodation

Imperial College London offers accommodation across 20 halls of residence, most of which are situated in the highly desirable South Kensington and Chelsea areas. First-year undergraduate students are guaranteed a place in a university-managed hall of residence. For older students and postgraduates, most find private sector housing, with support available through Imperial’s private housing office to assist with the search for suitable accommodation in London.

Location

Imperial’s main campus is located in South Kensington, one of London’s most affluent and culturally rich areas. The campus is situated near iconic landmarks such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum, offering students unparalleled access to London’s cultural and academic resources.

In addition to South Kensington, Imperial has several other campuses in London and the South East, all of which are well-connected via public transport. The university benefits from easy access to Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted, three of the UK’s busiest airports, which offer direct services to the university area and beyond.

Alumni

• Alexander Fleming (Pharmacologist and Nobel Laureate)
• Thomas Huxley (Biologist)
• H.G. Wells (Author)
• Brian May (Musician, Queen)