← Back to home

Imperial College London

Right. You want the exhaustive, unvarnished truth about Imperial College London. Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you. It’s a sprawling edifice of intellect, a monument to, well, science, technology, and medicine. And London, naturally. Don't forget the London.

Public university in England

Yes, it's public. As if that absolves it of any ambition. It's a public research university, which is a polite way of saying it’s perpetually buzzing with people trying to discover the next big thing, or at least publish a paper that sounds important.

Coat of arms

Coat of arms

The coat of arms. A rather ornate affair, isn't it? Apparently, it's meant to represent something profound.

Motto

Scientia, imperii decus et tutamen. Which, if you insist on translating it from the Latin – and I do insist you make the effort, it’s not that hard – means "Scientific knowledge, the crowning glory and the safeguard of the empire." Catchy, isn't it? Implies a certain… responsibility. Or perhaps just a grand delusion.

Type

Public research university. We've covered this. It's not a finishing school for debutantes, though some might argue the tuition fees suggest otherwise.

Established

8 July 1907. So, 118 years ago. Ancient, in the grand scheme of things. Practically a toddler compared to some institutions, but old enough to have accumulated a significant amount of dust and ego.

Endowment

£235.2 million (2024). Not insignificant. Enough to keep the lights on and the research grants flowing, I suppose. Don't ask me where it all goes. Probably into more marble.

Budget

£1.309 billion (2023/24). Yes, billions. With a 'B'. Makes you wonder what they could achieve if they weren't so busy researching.

President

Hugh Brady. Seems to be the current occupant of the top job.

Provost

Ian Walmsley. Another one in the hierarchy. Makes you tired just thinking about it.

Academic staff

4,540 (2023/24). A considerable number of people dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, or at least the appearance of it.

Administrative staff

4,385 (2023/24). Almost as many as the academics. The gears that keep the academic machine grinding, or perhaps just greasing the wheels of bureaucracy.

Students

22,420 (2023/24). A veritable army of young minds, eager or otherwise.

Location

London, England. Smack dab in the middle of it all. Which is convenient, I suppose, if you like crowds and pollution.

Scarf

The scarf. A curious detail. Academic scarves are apparently a thing.

Colours

Blue. Predictable.

Affiliations

A rather exclusive club, as you can see. They all hobnob together, presumably discussing how much better they are than everyone else.

Mascot

Lion. Fierce. Or perhaps just a stuffed effigy.

Website

imperial.ac.uk. Go ahead, browse. See if you can decipher the labyrinth of academic jargon.

The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, more commonly known as Imperial College London or simply Imperial, is a public research university firmly planted in the heart of London, England. Its origins are, as you might expect, rather grand. It all started with Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, who had this rather ambitious vision for South Kensington. He imagined it as some sort of cultural utopia, a district overflowing with museums, colleges, and the majestic Royal Albert Hall. A noble, if slightly detached, dream.

This dream began to solidify in 1907 when three institutions – the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines, and the City and Guilds of London Institute – decided to pool their resources and form Imperial College London. A merger born of necessity, or perhaps just a shared desire for more funding.

The medical side of things got a bit more complicated. Through a series of mergers, including the absorption of St Mary's Hospital Medical School in 1988 and later Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, the Imperial College School of Medicine was born. And in 2003, the Imperial Business School officially opened its doors, graced by the presence of Queen Elizabeth II. Apparently, even royalty approves of a good business degree.

For a long time, Imperial was a constituent college of the larger University of London. But in 2007, it decided it had outgrown its parent and struck out on its own, becoming an independent university. A rebellious streak, perhaps.

The university is structured into four main faculties: Engineering, Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Business. They’re quite keen on this idea of innovation and enterprise, so they’ve woven business courses into science degrees and vice-versa. A sort of intellectual cross-pollination, I suppose. The main campus is nestled in South Kensington, but they’ve expanded to a new campus in White City. The medical faculty also oversees five teaching hospitals across the city and is a key player in the Francis Crick Institute.

What about the people? Well, they've churned out a rather impressive number of luminaries: 14 Nobel Prize winners, three Fields Medalists, 74 Fellows of the Royal Society, and 84 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Not a bad haul, considering they’re all rather busy.

History

19th century

The seeds of Imperial were sown much earlier, with the Royal College of Chemistry founded in 1845, thanks to the patronage of Prince Albert and the ever-present parliament. This eventually merged into what became the Royal School of Mines in 1853. The medical lineage is even more convoluted, with roots stretching back to schools like Charing Cross Hospital Medical School (1823), Westminster Hospital (1834), and St Mary's Hospital (1851).

The catalyst for much of this development was the Great Exhibition of 1851, orchestrated by Henry Cole and, of course, Prince Albert. Its success was such that its proceeds were earmarked for creating a hub of culture and science in South Kensington. Thus, Albertopolis began to take shape. The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum opened their doors, followed by facilities for the Royal College of Chemistry in 1871 and then the Royal School of Mines and the Natural History Museum in 1881.

In 1881, the Normal School of Science was established, under the formidable Thomas Huxley, taking over the natural sciences and agriculture from the Royal School of Mines. It was later rebranded as the Royal College of Science in 1890. Meanwhile, on Exhibition Road, the Central Institution of the City and Guilds of London Institute opened its doors in 1884, offering technical education.

20th century

As the 20th century dawned, a nagging concern emerged: Britain was falling behind Germany in the crucial fields of scientific and technical education. A departmental committee, convened by the Board of Education, produced a report in 1906 advocating for a unified institution comprising the Royal College of Science and the Royal School of Mines. The City and Guilds College was also eyed for inclusion, provided governance issues could be ironed out.

The Imperial Institute, initially built for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, served as the university's home until 1937. It was later transformed into the Queen's Tower, a landmark that now stands as a testament to the college's expansion.

On July 8, 1907, Edward VII granted a Royal Charter that officially established the Imperial College of Science and Technology. This brought together the Royal School of Mines and the Royal College of Science. The City and Guilds College joined in 1910, and Imperial became a college of the University of London in 1908. The architectural footprint grew, with new buildings erected on Exhibition Road.

The desire for independence simmered. In 1919, students and alumni pushed for Imperial to become a university with its own degree-awarding powers, free from the University of London's oversight. While this wasn't immediately granted, the University of London did adjust its regulations in 1925 to allow students to earn a Bachelor of Science through exams administered by the university, but based on courses taught solely at Imperial.

A significant moment came in October 1945 when George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited to commemorate the centenary of the Royal College of Chemistry. This visit gave rise to "Commemoration Day," the university's major graduation ceremony, held every October. In 1947, Imperial acquired a biology field station at Silwood Park in Berkshire.

Following the devastation and scientific upheaval of World War II, the specter of falling behind the United States in science re-emerged. Reports like the Percy Report of 1945 and the Barlow Committee in 1946 called for a British equivalent of MIT. However, the University Grants Committee was resistant. A compromise was reached in 1953: Imperial would remain part of the University of London but would double its size over the next decade. This expansion led to the construction of new buildings, including the Hill building (1957) and the Physics building (1960), and the completion of the East Quadrangle. The demolition of the City and Guilds College building and the Imperial Institute building made way for this growth. The iconic Queen's Tower was preserved, undergoing structural work to stand independently. New biochemistry laboratories, funded by a substantial grant from the Wolfson Foundation, were inaugurated by the Queen in 1965.

The late 20th century saw further consolidation. In 1988, Imperial merged with St Mary's Hospital Medical School, a move formalized by the Imperial College Act 1988. The institution’s formal name was adjusted to The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, with St Mary's becoming a constituent college. More mergers followed: the National Heart and Lung Institute in 1995, and the Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, and the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1997. The Imperial College Act 1997 officially established the Imperial College School of Medicine.

21st century

The dawn of the 21st century brought a renewed push for autonomy. In 2003, Imperial was granted its own degree-awarding powers by the Privy Council. The Imperial Business School and a new main college entrance on Exhibition Road were unveiled in 2004. The UK Energy Research Centre also established its headquarters at Imperial that year. Then, on December 9, 2005, Imperial announced its intention to negotiate withdrawal from the University of London. The separation was finalized in July 2007.

Imperial became a partner in the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation (later renamed the Francis Crick Institute) in 2011, alongside King's College London and others, contributing a significant sum to the project. The institute opened in 2016, becoming the largest biomedical laboratory in Europe. The college also began its relocation to the new White City campus in 2016, launching its Innovation Hub. The Department of Chemistry gained a new research facility at White City in 2019, opened by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

However, the pursuit of academic excellence has not been without its shadows. In 2014, the tragic death of Professor Stefan Grimm from the Department of Medicine, after facing pressure regarding performance metrics, cast a pall over the institution. An internal inquiry acknowledged the unreasonableness of the metrics, though the need for new ones was also highlighted.

Campuses

South Kensington

This is the main hub, the original stomping ground. Most of the teaching and research happens here. It's a grand old place, housing the business school, Royal School of Mines, and Royal College of Science. The Queen's Tower still stands sentinel over Queen's Lawn, a reminder of the past. Being part of Albertopolis, it's surrounded by cultural titans like the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace, and a veritable constellation of museums: the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum. Not to mention the artistic enclave of the Royal College of Art, the musical sanctuary of the Royal College of Music, and the National Art Library.

The campus is dotted with college-run eateries and provides student accommodation, including the Prince's Garden Halls and Beit Hall, which also houses the college union with its pubs, nightclub, and cinema. For those seeking respite, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are a stone's throw away.

White City

This is the newer, shinier addition, built on former BBC land. It's designed as a launchpad for innovation and entrepreneurship. It hosts research facilities, postgraduate housing, and spaces for commercial ventures. You'll find the Scale Space incubator, the Invention Rooms, a college hackerspace, and a community outreach centre. A biomedical centre, funded by Sir Michael Uren, is also situated here. Plans are afoot for an AI campus by 2029, designed by the esteemed Allies and Morrison.

Silwood Park

A postgraduate campus located in Sunninghill, near Ascot. It remains a dedicated centre for research and teaching in ecology, evolution, and conservation, boasting 100 hectares of parkland for ecological field experiments.

Hospitals

Imperial's Faculty of Medicine is intrinsically linked to five teaching hospitals across London. These are vital for undergraduate clinical training and postgraduate medical research. Libraries are available at each campus, including the Fleming library at St Mary's.

Student housing

Imperial manages ten halls of residence spread across Inner London, Acton, and Ascot, Berkshire, offering over three thousand rooms. First-year undergraduates are generally guaranteed a place, provided they meet the requirements. Most rooms are single or twin, some with en-suite facilities. Basic furnishings are provided, along with shared kitchens and bathrooms, and of course, internet access.

While first-year students are typically housed in college accommodation, older students and postgraduates usually find private housing, with the college offering assistance through its private housing office. A few students may remain in halls by taking on "hall senior" roles, and a small number of returning students can find places in three smaller halls. The Ascot accommodation is exclusively for postgraduates associated with the Silwood Park campus.

Organisation and administration

Faculties and departments

Imperial is divided into four faculties: Engineering, Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Business. As of 2024, the academic departments include:

Faculty of Engineering

Faculty of Medicine

  • Brain Sciences
  • Immunology and Inflammation
  • Infectious Disease
  • Institute of Clinical Sciences
  • Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction
  • Surgery and Cancer
  • National Heart and Lung Institute
  • School of Public Health

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Imperial Business School

  • Analytics and Operations
  • Economics and Public Policy
  • Finance
  • Management and Entrepreneurship
  • Marketing

Interdisciplinary centres

Imperial fosters interdisciplinary collaboration through its Global Challenge institutes, Imperial Centres of Excellence, and Imperial Networks of Excellence. It also participates in national institutes:

Global Challenge institutes:

National institutes:

Academic centres

The Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication serves as Imperial College London's adult education arm, offering evening courses in arts, humanities, languages, and sciences. Additionally, two academic centres focus on subjects beyond science, technology, and medicine for undergraduate and postgraduate students:

  • Centre for Academic English
  • Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication

Governance

The Council is Imperial's governing body, comprising 19 to 27 members, including an independent chair, ex officio members like the president and provost, and appointed staff and independent members. The majority must be independent. The President is the principal academic officer and chief executive. Hugh Brady holds this position as of August 2022. Ian Walmsley is the Provost, and Vindi Banga serves as the chair.

Finances and endowment

Graduation ceremonies are held in the grand Royal Albert Hall.

Imperial's endowment is managed across three portfolios:

  • Unitised Scheme: For long-term investment of endowments and income.
  • Non-Core Property: Operational and developmental properties deemed not essential to the academic mission.
  • Strategic Asset Investments: Including holdings in Imperial Innovations and other equity investments.

For the financial year ending July 31, 2024, Imperial reported a total income of £1.309 billion and expenditures of £1.051 billion. Major income streams included tuition fees (£507.5 million), grants (£165.4 million), research grants and contracts (£396.2 million), investment income (£28.8 million), and donations and endowments (£35.5 million).

The college's endowments stood at £235.2 million at year-end, with total net assets reaching £2.082 billion. This places Imperial among the top universities in the UK for endowment size.

Affiliations and partnerships

Imperial is affiliated with numerous prestigious organizations, including the Association of Commonwealth Universities, European University Association, Global Alliance of Technological Universities, the League of European Research Universities, and the Russell Group. It's a founding member of the Imperial College academic health sciences centre, the Francis Crick Institute, and MedCity. A long-standing partnership exists with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, dating back to World War II, fostering student and academic exchange.

Academic profile

Research

The 2021 Research Excellence Framework assessed Imperial's research as predominantly world-class (66% 4*). This resulted in Imperial being ranked first in the UK for GPA and ninth for research power by Times Higher Education.

The college actively promotes research commercialisation through its technology transfer company, Imperial Innovations, which has spawned numerous spin-out companies. Narinder Singh Kapany, an Imperial researcher, made groundbreaking contributions to the invention of fibre optics.

Innovation Hub

The United States is Imperial's primary collaborator internationally. The partnership with MIT continues, a legacy of wartime scientific cooperation.

In 2018, Imperial and the French National Centre for Scientific Research established an international joint research unit, UMI Abraham de Moivre, at Imperial, focusing on complex mathematical problems and fostering collaboration between British and French scientific communities. The Imperial Cancer Research UK Center, launched in 2018 with the aim of advancing precision cancer treatments, was inaugurated by Joe Biden as part of his initiative.

Neil Ferguson’s March 2020 report on COVID-19 interventions was cited by the New York Times as a pivotal document that prompted action in the US and UK. Dr. Samir Bhatt, also from Imperial, advised the state of New York on its reopening strategy, with Governor Andrew Cuomo praising the Imperial College model.

Admissions

UCAS Admission Statistics 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
Applications [^α][91] 32,990 30,725 28,620 28,700 25,650
Accepted [^α][91] 3,255 3,135 3,090 3,305 3,450
Applications/Accepted Ratio [^α] 10.1 9.8 9.3 8.7 7.4
Offer Rate (%) [^β][92] 32.8 33.1 30.1 32.5 42.9
Average Entry Tariff [93] — — 202 206 198
  • ^ a b c Main scheme applications, International and UK
  • ^ UK domiciled applicants
HESA Student Body Composition (2023/24) Domicile [94] and Ethnicity [95] Total
[British White] [^a] 21%
[British Ethnic Minorities] [^b] 29%
[International EU] 10%
[International Non-EU] 41%
Undergraduate [Widening Participation] Indicators [94][96]
[Female] 40%
[Independent School] 33%
Low Participation Areas [^c] 5%

In the 2021/22 academic year, the applicant-to-admission ratio was 9:1 for undergraduates and 7.7:1 for postgraduates. Imperial extended offers to 30.1% of undergraduate applicants in 2022, marking the seventh-lowest offer rate nationwide. The most competitive undergraduate courses included computing (19.2:1), mathematics (14.6:1), and mechanical engineering (11.2:1). For postgraduate admissions, computing (21:1), mathematics (17.9:1), and electrical engineering (14:1) were the most sought-after.

Imperial stands out as one of the UK's most international universities, with 50% of students from the UK, 16% from the EU, and 34% from outside these regions. The gender ratio among undergraduates is skewed, with approximately 64% male and 36% female, a disparity that is even more pronounced in some engineering disciplines. Medicine, however, maintains a near 1:1 ratio, and biology degrees lean towards a higher female representation.

As of 2023/24, the student body comprised 22,420 individuals, with 12,150 undergraduates and 10,265 postgraduates. A notable 36.5% of undergraduates attended privately educated institutions, placing Imperial fourth in this regard among British universities.

Libraries

The college's main library, situated adjacent to Queen's Lawn, houses the primary collection. It previously housed the Science Museum's library until 2014. The Fleming library at St Mary's in Paddington serves as the library for the former St Mary's Hospital Medical School, with other campus libraries available at affiliated hospitals.

Medicine

Formed through a series of mergers, the Imperial Faculty of Medicine operates across six teaching hospitals. It admits over 300 undergraduate medical students annually and has a substantial postgraduate population of both taught and research students.

The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, established in 2007, integrated several London hospitals and the Faculty of Medicine. It manages five major hospitals: Charing Cross Hospital, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital, St Mary's Hospital, and Western Eye Hospital. This Trust represents one of the UK's largest, with a significant turnover, workforce, and patient volume.

Imperial College London also maintains affiliations with other hospitals, including Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital, and many others, extending its reach in medical education and research.

Reputation and rankings

National rankings Complete (2026): 6 Guardian (2026): 6 Times / Sunday Times (2026): 6

[Global rankings] ARWU (2025): 26 QS (2026): 2 THE (2026): 8

Imperial College London is widely acknowledged as a preeminent institution within the UK. The QS World University Rankings placed it second globally in 2026, just behind MIT, and it secured eighth position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The university cultivates a reputation for its industrious entrepreneurial culture, seamlessly blending business acumen with scientific rigor. The Enterprise Lab, with a remarkably high startup survival rate, underscores this commitment to fostering innovation. The 2023 QS MBA Rankings by Career Specialisation further validated this, ranking Imperial's MBA program third worldwide for entrepreneurship.

Imperial is also recognized for its prowess in interdisciplinary scientific research. Its global collaborations have yielded significant advancements that influence industries and shape public policy. This synergy between research and entrepreneurship solidifies its standing as a leading institution.

Imperial’s focus on practical disciplines – engineering, science, medicine, and business – coupled with its emphasis on entrepreneurship and industry partnerships, has cemented its position as a leader in career outcomes within the UK. In 2026, it was ranked first in the UK for highly skilled employment or further studies by the Complete University Guide, the Guardian University Guide, and the Times Good University Guide.

Student life

Student body

For the 2023/24 academic year, Imperial hosted 22,420 full-time students, comprising 12,150 undergraduates and 10,265 postgraduates. A significant 50.7% of the student body originates from outside the UK. In 2013–14, 32% of all full-time students were from outside the European Union, with approximately 13% of international students being Chinese nationals in 2007–08. The undergraduate gender ratio is notably uneven, with about 64% male and 36% female, a disparity that becomes more pronounced in certain engineering fields. Conversely, medicine exhibits a near 1:1 ratio, while biology degrees tend to have a higher proportion of female students.

Queen's Lawn at South Kensington Campus.

Imperial College Union

Imperial College Union serves as the students' union, managed by elected sabbatical officers and permanent staff. It is structured into constituent unions aligned with the college's faculties, reflecting the historical lineage of the original constituent colleges: the Royal College of Science Union, the City and Guilds College Union, the Royal School of Mines Students' Union, and the Imperial College School of Medicine Students' Union. The union receives substantial financial support from the university, much of which funds over 300 clubs, projects, and societies.

Student societies

Imperial College London boasts over 350 student clubs, societies, and projects. The Techtonics, an all-male a cappella group, achieved international acclaim by winning the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2016.

Other notable student initiatives include Project Nepal, which sends students to assist with educational development programs in rural Nepal, and the El Salvador Project, focused on construction-based development in Central America.

Facilities

The Union operates across two sites: the main events venue is the Union Building at Beit Quad in South Kensington, with most Imperial College School of Medicine events taking place at the Reynold's Bar at Charing Cross Hospital.

South Kensington campus features two student bars at the Imperial College Union and Eastside. Numerous pubs and bars in and around the campus are popular social hubs for students. The Pewter tankard collection at the Imperial College Union is reputed to be the largest in Europe, with most clubs and societies having their own associated tankards.

Student media

Student media outlets at Imperial include Felix, the university newspaper, and Imperial College Radio.

Sports

Sports activities are coordinated by Imperial Athletes, a joint initiative between Imperial College Union and the university's Move Imperial program. It supports over 90 sports clubs, many of which compete in British Universities and Colleges Sport leagues or London University Sports Leagues. The Imperial Leagues provide intramural sports opportunities within the university.

Prominent sports clubs include the Imperial College Boat Club.

Sports facilities across Imperial's London campuses include four gyms, notably the Ethos gym at South Kensington, two swimming pools, and two sports halls. Additional facilities are available at the Heston and Harlington sports grounds. The South Kensington campus also offers six music practice rooms, equipped with upright and grand pianos.

The Bottle Match

The annual Bottle Match, a fierce rugby rivalry between Imperial's Royal School of Mines and the University of Exeter's Camborne School of Mines, ranks as the second oldest rugby fixture globally, with its origins tracing back to 1902. Typically held in February, it symbolizes a long-standing rivalry between these two mining institutions.

Exploration Board

Established in 1955, Imperial's Exploration Board provides funding for student expeditions, officially recognizes them as Imperial projects, and maintains an archive of past expeditions.

Drinking societies

While the Imperial College Union champions inclusive student activities, Imperial is also known for its exclusive social clubs, often termed "tie clubs" or "drinking societies". Historically centered around students from the constituent colleges, the most prominent are The 22s, The Links, and The Chaps. These invite-only societies, often dominated by alumni active in student union and sports, maintain strong ties to the university. Their exclusive and sometimes secretive nature has drawn criticism from within the student community, leading to calls for stricter equal opportunities enforcement by the Imperial College Union, particularly given the historical influence of tie club members in union leadership.

Mascetry

Imperial boasts a unique and historically intense tradition of mascotry, involving rivalry, theft, and ransom between the student bodies of its founding unions. This practice features two categories of mascots. Violable mascots, often ceremonial objects, are targets for theft and ransom, frequently for charity (RAG). Examples include the Royal College of Science's thermometer, Theta, and the City and Guilds Union's Spanner and Bolt. While this tradition of competitive theft continues, its activity has somewhat diminished and is now governed by official Imperial College Union rules to ensure safety and prevent property damage. Inviolable mascots include four antique motorized vehicles, such as the 1916 Dennis N-Type Fire Engine Jezebel and the 1902 car Boanerges. These are meticulously maintained and paraded by student motor clubs, preserving the engineering and historical pride of the constituent unions.

Music and arts

The Blyth Centre for Music and Visual Arts offers resources such as music scholarships, art classes, and practice rooms. It organizes public performances, many held at the nearby Holy Trinity Church. These events feature both professional artists and Imperial students, including Ash Music Scholars and ensembles like the Imperial College Chamber Choir. The program also includes a lunchtime concert series and formal college evensong services.

The iconic rock band Queen performed some of their earliest gigs in the Union Concert Hall. The band's formation was sparked when Brian May placed an advertisement seeking a drummer with a style akin to "Mitch Mitchell" or "Ginger Baker", which elicited a response from Roger Taylor.

Each year, the Imperial Business School hosts a major social event, often called the "Winter Party" or "Winter Ball," at the adjacent Natural History Museum. This exclusive, after-hours event transforms Hintze Hall into a grand venue for hundreds of students.

Imperial is a key partner in the Great Exhibition Road Festival, an annual celebration of science and arts in South Kensington, collaborating with institutions like the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, and Royal Albert Hall. This festival, which evolved from the annual Imperial Festival, attracts over 50,000 visitors with its weekend of talks, interactive exhibits, and performances.

Commemoration Day

The university's primary graduation ceremony, Commemoration Day, takes place annually in early summer at the Royal Albert Hall, a tradition maintained for over six decades. The naming of Commemoration Day dates back to a 1945 visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to mark the centenary of the Royal College of Science.

Notable alumni, academics and other staff

This section is a veritable who's who of scientific and intellectual achievement, though it may contain an excessive or irrelevant number of examples.

Nobel laureates associated with Imperial include:

Fields Medalists:

Academics of note:

Other notable alumni:

Adventure and Exploration:

Politics:

Business:

Media:

Sports:

See also

Explanatory notes

  • ^ a b c Main scheme applications, International and UK
  • ^ UK domiciled applicants
  • ^ Calculated using the Polar4 measure (Quintile1) in England and Wales, and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD20) in Scotland.