r/Imperial

I'm currently stuck between Leeds and Imperial as my ideal choice (not keen on Oxbridge).

Personal context: I am a top ish student, ~17F, doing Maths, Further maths, Chemistry, and Physics predicted A*AA (further maths TBD), but am locking in a lot so should get AT LEAST A*A*A if not higher. My parents cannot afford to fund my uni tuition but I'm working towards grade 7-8 piano and am growing a small business teaching piano.

My plan:

Seeing as the "purely chemE" sector is declining in the UK, at least for graduates, I will be doing all the extra courses I can get my hands on and feasibly complete. For example, anything related to programming, finance, any other engineering disciplines, any work experience vaguely stem related. Basically building T-shaped skills (deep into ChemE, breadth everywhere else). I plan to do a six sigma qualification too, and go as far as I can with that.

Later in my career, I will probably do an MBA to elevate my capacity for more senior positions.

Context of my dilemma:

#1: Cost

If I went to Leeds I'd probably commute, it would be pretty quick after the transpennine route upgrade. Probably <1hr each way in total.

Imperial is obviously more expensive- it's London.

#2: Rankings

Imperial is ranked higher. Does this mean anything? Does this change networking prospects to a significant degree?

#3: Placement year.

Leeds has a 5 year course with a placement year. Imperial has no placement year, but for top students there's a chance to study abroad. If I go with my plan of flexibility, which is more beneficial? I am developing fluency in Russian, French, and German. How useful is this for ChemE? For other sectors that hire ChemE people?

Main questions:

1. How feasible is it to do an independent work placement if your university doesn't let you do a sandwich year (like Imperial)?

2. Can anyone recommend me any courses to really elevate my employability in ANY sector that would take a ChemE graduate?

3. For me, would it be worth getting chartered status, if I plan to be flexible?

4. To what extent would my plan help mitigate the shite job market?

5. Is ChemE even still worth it anymore? Is it declining more than other sectors or is everything shite nowadays?

Thank you in advance for any responses :)))

Hi guys!

Long story short I have an offer for MSc AI Applications and Innovation (AIAI) but having spoken to current students about their experience on the course, it is not as technical as I had expected and the feedback they have been given isn’t the greatest.

Is it possible to ask to be considered for Computing (AI and ML track)?

While the AIAI masters does feel like a good balance of different areas, I would like to have a better base technically rather than focusing on business applications.

Any advice?

Hello all,

I am currently a Macquarie University student studying a double degree in Electronics Engineering and Applied Physics. I am interested in applying for a master’s program at Imperial College London after I graduate, but I had a question regarding academic transcripts and previous study.

Before starting my current degree, I was enrolled in another degree program where my academic performance was not as strong. In my current degree, however, I am performing very well. I wanted to ask whether my previous degree would appear on my transcript or be considered when applying for postgraduate study. If so, would it negatively affect my application, even if my current academic performance is strong?

Additionally, if I were to transfer to another university and complete my degree there, would my previous academic record still appear on the transcript for my new degree, or would only the units completed at the new university be shown?

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Hi everyone :) I’m applying to cambridge for engineering this year and wanted to know if there’s anything I should take note of that might influence my decision on colleges or if I should even apply to cambridge for engineering? Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated :D

some context:
I am a Singaporean student with no crazy portfolio other than my grades. I hold a few awards related to engineering but most of my work experience and internships would be in November 2026 onwards, which is after the October deadline so I wouldn’t have much to write about for my Cambridge application :(

I am also applying to Imperial for EIE/EEE/aero in January so I wouldn’t have had more experience and things to talk about during my interview by then!

I’m someone who’s looking to go to uni next year at Imperial and I want some specific to Imperial and general accommodation advice.

General advice:
How important is proximity to campus? Does it severely impact your day when you travel 40 mins + to go to lectures etc or is it still okay?

Is social life really that important? I’ve heard people say that “oh social life at this hall is not that great” - how big of a factor is it at uni?
Also will my friends be mainly the people in my accommodation or the people on my degree?

How important is room size? Is it worth it to go for a room with bigger floor space?

Imperial specific:

Any past experience/recommendations and reviews of the accomms imperial have to offer would be great

I’m thinking of putting my preferences as the four closest ones(Beit, Southside, Eastside, Wilson House) because I think I’d want to minimise travel time(to maximise sleep and not waste much time just commuting) - how are these accommodations, and is it true that the rooms in acton are better?

Also for anyone who did premium ensuite single is it literally just extra floorspace?

Also if people did pick premium ensuite single did you get it? My assumption would be that less people pick it so there’s a higher chance that you get your preference with it.

I’m choosing between Warwick MSc Management and MSc Marketing & Strategy and would love honest advice.

I’m leaning toward Marketing & Strategy because I’m interested in branding, consumer behaviour, positioning, and data-driven creative strategy. But Management seems broader and maybe more flexible for consulting, strategy, or business roles.

Which one has better career prospects and reputation? Can Marketing & Strategy still lead to consulting/strategy roles, or is Management the safer choice?

Hi everyone,

My son has chosen Imperial College London as his firm choice and will be starting this September in Engineering.

As the ensuite single rooms are quite expensive, and he would prefer not to stay too far from the South Kensington campus, he is considering applying for a twin room instead.

However, we currently do not know any other incoming Imperial students. May I ask if anyone has suggestions on the best way to find a suitable roommate, preferably another Imperial fresher ?

Thank you very much!

Under what circumstances are step offers given? Is it only if you don't do tmua or do well in it?

decided on 3 of my 4 accom preferences - beit, southside, eastside (all single ensuite)

can’t make up my mind about whether to choose wilson or kemp porter for the fourth, as they’re both around 35 minutes commute and kp seems like the superior hall but has the more annoying journey on the misery line

any tips would be appreciated

I am really confused if I should attend Imperial College Business this fall. I mean imperial as a university is prestigious and top tier but not sure if it’s same for b school. Or should I take a drop year and go to LSE next year?

Hey! Just curious to know if anyone has heard back for the above course at imperial?

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Hi everyone,

I am a 20M and i study Chemistry at Newcastle university. I achieved a 2:1 in my second year and was hoping of applying to some MSc courses. However, my A-levels are quite poor (BCC with a C in Chemistry) and i had to retake first year. I was able to improve and want to achieve a first class honours at the end of my third year.

What are my chances of getting a masters at Imperial, UCL or KCL?

I am currently interning at an intellectual property firm and working as an intern under my uni's technology transfer team. I am working as a lab assistant in the NHS over the summer and have an open day experience at a lab in Newcastle.

im an international student with a dutch passport living in the middle east and i am fluent in dutch and english. I am currently doing a levels and planning to apply to imperial biotech (english degree) and tu delft/leiden’s joint life sciences and technology (dutch degree) bachelors.

is it worth paying £45,000 per year for tuition at imperial for a BSc (i wont have to pay for housing tho cuz my brother’s apt is 20 mins away), or is it worth just coming to the netherlands and paying €2500 a year for more or less the same degree (i also wont have to pay for housing bc i have my family home here)?

It’s just imperial has defo always been where i wanted to go but idk if its worth the paying like 20x more the price bc in reality ig the only difference is prestige. I looked up the modules and courses, i love both of them equally so idrk how to evaluate it.

However imperial does offer a year abroad at leiden in 3rd year which i will most definitely do if i can, and vice versa, leiden/tu delft offer a semester abroad at imperial if im not wrong tho it might be more competitive.

Would appreciate help!

Hello,

I just recieved a rejection from the MSc Health Data Analytics and Machine Learning programme. I'm from a medical background. It is obviously super disappointing because I didn't see that coming.

I applied for a similar program at UCL and got an offer within 10 days.

For Imperial, I applied on the 16th of April, references completed on the 20th and "with department" from the 24th. Rejected 13th of May.

I was wondering if the fact my application was late may have played a role in my rejection?

Also want to know if anyone has been recently successful with the course from a medical background? Would love to chat and get advice on how to strengthen my applications (if I end up deferring or missing the UCL scholarship)

Thank you,

Guys,

I am told I shall wait till June 17th to get the decision. What are my chances? Yes, I looked at the statistics, but still have no idea what to expect.

Is anyone else still waiting for an admissions decision? I haven’t heard a peep

I recently completed the Round 4 interview for Imperial College Business School’s MSc Strategic Marketing program and wanted to ask others about their experience.

How did your interview go overall?
What kind of questions did you get, and how did you find the written assessment/interview format?

Also, for people who already completed it in previous rounds or years — how long did it take to receive a decision or offer after the interview stage?

Would really appreciate hearing about timelines and experiences because the waiting is stressful 😅

havent heard back from them after submitting my interview and portal still shows with department. anyone from R3 experiencing the same thing? or has everyone got a decision?