FAQs

Q1: What A-levels/relevant subjects should I select?

A: Please go to https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/ ; select the course you wish and go to the “Entry requirements” section

Q2: Do I need any prior computing experience?

A: Each year, a large number of our incoming students have no prior programming experience.

If you are in this category and are thinking of applying to our courses but are worried that a lack of computing experience will leave you at a disadvantage, don't be: we teach a variety of programming languages from scratch in the first and second year, so this is not a problem. You do not need to have taken A-level Computer Science for our degrees.

We look for people who are good at Maths and are excited by computing and its many applications and are or have the potential to be great problem-solvers, lateral-thinkers or systematic thinkers. We welcome people with a wide variety of A-level subjects for our courses.

Q3: Why does your department offer BEng and MEng degrees in Computing rather than BSc/MSc degrees and what does this mean?

We are part of the Faculty of Engineering and our approach is overall engineering-oriented, that is, our students learn how to "build" systems, rather than solely how they function. Our BEng and MEng degrees are accompanied by the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI). 

Q4: What are the English requirements and is it possible to make alternative arrangements to meet them?

A: Please go to https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/ ; select the course you wish and go to the “Entry requirements” section, and then the “English language requirement”. You must achieve the standard university requirement in the appropriate English language qualification.

Q5: I have already started my studies at University X, and would like to transfer to your undergraduate programme. Is this possible?

A: Unfortunately, we do not accept transfers onto our undergraduate degree programmes. Students already part-way through an undergraduate degree may wish to consider us for postgraduate study - we offer several one-year Masters programmes. Further information on these options can be found under Postgraduate Admissions

Alternatively, students should apply via UCAS for entry to the first year of our undergraduate programmes.

Q6: I have already started my studies at University X, and would like to apply for admissions in the first year. What are the requirements?

A: You will need to meet the general requirements for the course found here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/. In addition, we would also expect excellent marks in your degree so far, and a strong reference letter from your current personal tutor or lecturer who knows you well. You will need to apply via UCAS.

Q7: What is my fee status and can I change it after having accepted an offer?

A: For fee related questions, please contact the Registry at engineering.admissions@imperial.ac.uk. However, you should first read the information at Fees and funding.

Q8: Is it possible to visit your department and schedule a campus tour?

A: You can take a virtual tour of the department here: https://360-visit.imperial.ac.uk

You may also wish to book a campus tour here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/be-inspired/schools-outreach/secondary-schools/imperial-campus-tours/

If you would like to visit the department, please email doc-ugadmissions@imperial.ac.uk with your request. 

Q10: If I receive a conditional offer, by when do I need to meet the conditions set in the offer?

A: Find out about the deadlines to meet your offer, how to submit your offer conditions, and lots of other useful information in our offer holders section here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/offer-holders/

Q12: What international qualifications do you accept?

A: Please go to https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/ ; select the course you wish and go to the “Entry requirements” section, and select “Other qualifications”

Q13: Can I defer my offer?

A: You need to email us the reasons for your request for deferred entry on ugadmissions@imperial.ac.uk. If granted, please make sure that you make every effort to keep your maths as up to date as possible.

Q14: Are the requirements for immediate and deferred entry the same?

A: The requirements for immediate and deferred entry are the same. Thus, it does not matter whether you apply this year or next year. However, if your application is unsuccessful this year, a new application next year is likely to be less competitive.

Q15: Are there bursaries and/or scholarships available?

A: Please visit our Fees and Funding page for information about scholarships: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/

The Student Finance website is here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/education/student-finance

Q16: What are my job prospects with a Computing degree?

A: https://discoveruni.gov.uk/ provides useful information on the job prospects of computing students at Imperial.

Please also refer to the Graduate Outcomes Survey results found here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/plan-your-career/destinations/undergraduates/

Q17: When will I know whether my UCAS application has been successful?

A: We return decisions to UCAS by the end of March each year, and applicants should check UCAS track for updates to their application.

Q19: If I apply and am accepted onto a degree, can I change to another degree in your Department?

A: Yes, changing degree programme is normally possible within the Computing degrees programmes during the first two years. For example, it is easy to change between G400, G401, and G700.  

It is also possible to change between the three year BEng Joint Maths and Computing (JMC) and the four year MEng Joint Maths and Computing degrees during the first two years.

Please note that it is not normally possible to change between the JMC and Computing degrees.

Any change requests must be submitted in writing to doc-ugadmissions@imperial.ac.uk for consideration.  You should not rely on such a transfer being possible.

If you are an international offer holder, programme changes may impact on your visa, and we would request you to discuss the potential impact of any programme changes with the International Student Support Team. Their details are here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/students/international-students/

Q20: I am studying at university X. Would I be able to visit the Department as an exchange/visiting student on one of your undergraduate degrees?

A: We only accept students from partner institutes on our exchange programmes, these students are selected by the international coordinators at their home university.

There are also possibilities for short term visits under the UROP scheme. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/computing/prospective-students/urop-and-irop-opportunities/

Information for exchange and visiting students is available here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/visiting-students/  

Q21: Will I have any opportunities to gain experience in industry if I study on one of your degrees?

A: Yes, all our MEng degree programmes include a compulsory 6-month or (for JMC) 4-month (remunerated) Placement in Industry. We have a dedicated Industrial Liaison Officer who helps students organise their placement. Find out more here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/computing/industry/placements/undergraduate-placements/

Q22: Will I have opportunities to spend time abroad as part of your degrees?

A: The one-year-abroad option is available only for the Computing course International Programme of Study (MEng). Moreover, all our MEng degree programmes include a compulsory 6-month (Computing) or 4-month (JMC) remunerated Placement in Industry that can be abroad.

Q23: Is the MAT test required for any of your courses?

A: No, MAT is not required for any of the Computing or JMC courses.  

Please browse our courses for the entry requirements here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/

Information about the Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA) is available here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/process/admissions-tests/tmua/

Please note that the MAT test cannot be used as a substitute for the TMUA.

Q24: Which courses do you offer, what is their content and how do they differ?

We offer several Computing and JMC courses.

You can find out about the detailed course content for the current year for our Computing courses here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/computing/current-students/computing/

You can find out about the detailed course content for the current year for our Joint Maths and Computing courses here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/computing/current-students/jmc/

Contacts

Admissions Tutor: 

Dr Peter McBrien

Enquiries: 

Admissions Office: +44 (0)20 7594 8267/ +44 (0)20 7594 9223
Email: doc-ugadmissions@imperial.ac.uk