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Successful application - what next?

Before reading the information on this page regarding how to regster a UROP, here are a few messages:

Update: Please ensure you have read a news item about UROP Summer 2025
REMINDER that the UROP eligibility criteria changed in 2020. A UROP registration can no longer be used for a research experience pursued by a non-UK/IRE national who is a registered student of a non-UK HEI unless they hold pre-settled or settled status in the UK.
Please continue to use the latest version of the UROP Research Experience Registration Form (version dated January 2021) until you are notified otherwise via this website. Please do not use previous versions. Try to use the PDF version, but the Word version will also suffice.
Important reminders for host depts when processing a UROP Registration form: The Host Department should send one UROP Research Experience Registration Form per email and include the start date of the UROP in the subject line. All forms should be sent at least 4 weeks before the planned start date to student.records@imperial.ac.uk. Forms for external students should be sent earlier. Electronic/digital signatures are perfectly acceptable when a student and a host dept completes the UROP registration form AND the host department can submit a UROP registration form to the Imperial's Student Records Team without a stamp but it must be submitted by email by the usual administrative staff (note: include a digital stamp whenever possible). Supervisors must not submit UROP registration forms direct to Student Records (they must be routed via the appropriate admin team in the host Dept). Additional documentation is normally required for an external (non-Imperial) undergraduate.
Reminder: Depts (and supervisors and students) are also reminded that if a UROP Registration form is received later than 2 weeks before its scheduled end that Registry Student Records will NOT process it, i.e. retrospective registrations will no longer be processed. Depts should, of course, aim to submit registration forms well in advance of a UROP's planned start date.
Full details on the registration process further down this page.
UROP students, including external students, holding an approved registration from Imperial's Student Records team should allow 24 hours from receiving your confirmation of registration email before trying to enrol (following the instructions provided). You will be able to select the UROP programme from the dropdown in your My Student Records tile and complete your enrolment after 24 hours have passed. Check your registration email from Student Records for further advice. If you are struggling to access the webpages via Safari please try with a different browser.

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Submission of a UROP Registration Form: When you have the provisional agreement of a member of staff to undertake a UROP research experience and you have agreed dates of attendance and you have discussed thoroughly any need on your part for financial support during the UROP (and observed any local departmental rules in this regard), you will need to complete (with the assistance of both your supervisor and the relevant administrator in the host department) the UROP Research Experience Registration Form and have it submitted by your host department to the Imperial's UROP Registration team (Registry Student Records) as soon as possible. Please read the relevant TAB below for details on the process (how and when a student and the host dept should complete and submit the UROP Registration Form.)

Imperial students should aim to have the UROP Registration form submitted by their host department to the UROP Team (Student Records) at least a month (4-5 weeks) before the proposed start date. Please do your best since it is a very busy time of year for Student Records.
Other participants should aim to have the form submitted by their host department to the UROP Team (Student Records) at least two months (8-10 weeks) before the proposed start date. If you are an undergraduate student from another UK university who plans to apply for a room in a hall of residence then you may need to submit the Form much earlier.
Depts (and supervsors and students) are also reminded that if a UROP Registration Form is received later than 2 weeks before its scheduled end that Registry Student Records will NOT process it, i.e. retrospective registrations will no longer be processed.

A delay in submitting the Form means that due to the workload of the Student Records Team we cannot guarantee to have the registration processed in time for the start of your proposed UROP.

A research experience registered as a UROP is neither an employment status nor full student status.

Registration Process

What is a UROP registration?

A UROP registration ensures that Imperial College London will treat your research experience for insurance purposes in the same way as it does for other activities undertaken by staff and students.
The completion of a UROP Research Experience Registraton form requires the student to sign up to the UROP Participant's Declaration (see next TAB).
For participants who are new to Imperial a UROP registration allows access to university student facing services (e.g. ID Card; Library; ICT account) so that participants can make the best of their time at Imperial.
Please note that a UROP registration should not be used for a non-UK or Ireland national (student) who is currently enrolled at a non-UK HEI. Please view the eligibility criteria.
Reminder: Depts (and supervisors and students) are also reminded that if a UROP Registration form is received later than 2 weeks before its scheduled end that Registry Student Records will NOT process it, i.e. retrospective registrations will no longer be processed. Depts should, of course, aim to submit registration forms well in advance of a UROP's planned start date.

How to complete the UROP Research Experience Registration Form (this advice is also aimed at the host department).

The UROP Research Experience Registration Form (use the lastest version available here) is composed of 3 sections:

Section 1: To be completed by the student participant
Section 2: Research experience details - to be provided by the supervisor
Section 3: Host department approval

You will need, for example, to have agreed the following with your supervisor in order to complete the UROP Research Experience Registration Form

A start date and an end date, but also referring to any inactive weeks during this period such as for a holiday (Section 2);
A short title for the research experience (Section 2);
The source of any bursary, if relevant (Section 2).

Important: Any registration form received which does not include the appropriate information and the appropriate authorisation may be returned to the student/supervisor for correction and may well result in delays to a UROP research experience being fully registered. Digital/electronic signatures are acceptable. This in turn, with particular reference to UROP participants who are new to Imperial, would delay the issuing of a College Identifier Number (CID); production of an Imperial Photo ID card; the ability of the student to apply for Imperial student accommodation.

Please use the most up-to-date version of the form (available here).

ALL PARTICIPANTS must ensure they complete Section 1 fully and then sign and date that they have read (NEXT TAB) the UROP Participant's Declaration.

The Host Department should send the completed UROP Research Experience Registration Form (IMPORTANT: as a single PDF; one form per email; please also include the start date of the UROP in the subject line) to student.records@imperial.ac.uk

Student Records is Imperial's UROP registration team.

Please send one UROP Registration form per email.
[ALL Forms] In the subject line of the email please quote "UROP - [plus the name of the student you are seeking to register]", and the start date of the UROP. This helps Registry to prioritise the processing of registration forms. Please respect the deadlines for submission highlighted at the top of this webpage.
[NON-Imperial undergraduates ONLY] Please attach to the email (as separate PDFs): (1) a copy of the student's passport ID page or national identity card (and for Student Route immigration students who are currently a degree student at another UK HEI a copy of their visa from their passport) and (2) proof from their home university/college that they remain registered at that university/college throughout the period of the planned UROP at Imperial (i.e. a certificate of attendance) unless the student has just completed their degree and will be undertaking a UROP over the summer vacation in which case that "proof" should indicate enrolment/registration at their home university up until the end of the recently completed academic year.

Upon receipt of the UROP Research Experience Registration Form by the UROP team (Student Records):

If there are issues related to the registration which need input from either the student or the supervisor the UROP team will communicate these by email or under separate cover.
For an individual who is not currently a student at Imperial, this will normally include the UROP team asking for the aforementioned documents if they have not been submitted with the UROP Registration Form. To reaffirm these are (1) a copy of the student's passport ID page or national identity card (and for Student Route immigration students only who are currently a degree student at another UK HEI a copy of their visa from their passport) and (2) proof from their home university that they remain registered at that university throughout the period of the planned UROP at Imperial College London (i.e. a certificate of attendance) unless the student has just completed their degree and will be undertaking a UROP over the summer vacation in which case that "proof" should indicate enrolment/registration at their home university up until the end of the recently completed academic year. These are really important documents for students who are "new" to Imperial.

Confirming eligibility for UROP and Registration of a UROP Research Experience:

If eligiblity for UROP is confirmed, the UROP Team will confirm the registration of the research experience by emailing the student (copied to the supervisor, and the relevant administrator in the host department.)

The email sent to a UROP participant (student) who is NEW to Imperial will include:

A College Identifier Number (CID) will be required before the student can apply for a room in Imperial student accommodation (if that is their intent).
an instruction to create a My Imperial account. The student should then (in the 4 week window prior to the scheduled start date) provide/upload information which allows them to complete their registration. This will include providing personal data, home and London addresses and phone numbers/email addresses; emergency contact details for a parent or relative; answering a question concerning any disabilities you may have.)

IMPORTANT: All participants, but especially those who are new to Imperial, should act promptly on the instructions given in their registration email as completion of these tasks will speed up access to or updating access to services and facilities provided by Imperial. However, Imperial undergraduates who undertake a UROP research experience in their own academic department will find that they are set-up to pursue their research experience without much adjustment.

Queries concerning UROP Registrations can be directed to student.records@imperial.ac.uk

Reminder: Depts (and supervisors and students) are also reminded that if a UROP Registration form is received later than 2 weeks before its scheduled end that Registry Student Records will NOT process it, i.e. retrospective registrations will no longer be processed. Depts should, of course, aim to submit registration forms well in advance of a UROP's planned start date.

See also the Orientation Information TAB.

Please note that a UROP should not be used for a student who would require entry clearance (including a Visitor Visa or a Student Route Visa) to enter the UK specifically to undertake this type of educational (study) activity (for such students see visiting students), nor for when they have been set-up previously for the same activity as a contingent or casual worker.

UROP Participant's Declaration

All UROP student participants sign up specifically to the following upon signing the UROP Research Experience Registration Form:

Before the UROP commences the participant agrees that when completing the enrolment procedure at Imperial using their My Imperial facility (about which the UROP Team will instruct the participant when they confirm their Registration Form has been processed) they will note the Student Privacy Notice.

During the UROP, the participant agrees:

To abide by the College’s Intellectual Property policy. For this purpose a UROP participant is always considered to be a student.
To abide by the working practices and procedures of the host department (as directed by the host department), including all health and safety procedures.
To abide by the Imperial's student policy relating to the conditions for use for IT facilities, and all other relevant student and staff policies in the field of Information Systems Security.
To engage positively with Imperial's commitment to equality.
To act responsibly at all times, including if occupying a room in an Imperial hall of residence.
To inform the supervisor as soon as possible about changes in personal circumstances which may result in them either not commencing their UROP (research experience) or which might alter the agreed dates of attendance. Such information should be then communicated by the supervisor to the host department's administration and to Imperial's Student Records team.
To abide by any other additional requirements placed upon them by Imperial during the UROP.

At the end of the UROP:

(non-Imperial students and non-continuing Imperial undergraduates only) To hand in their ID Card to the ID Office on the South Kensington Campus (or the Security Office if on another Imperial campus) at the end of their UROP.
To ensure they return all property of Imperial College London (e.g. library books, laboratory lab books) to the relevant individual at the end of their UROP.

By return a UROP student participant should expect as a miminum for Imperial (through the host department):

To provide a structured research experience, including overall supervision by the named supervisor and day-to-day supervision which may involve staff other than the named supervisor (and which may extend to include PhD students).
To conduct an appropriate Day 1 induction, which should include those aspects of health and safety relevant both to the research experience and to the student's general attendance.
To inform the student participant in advance of the UROP's start date of any preparation they are requested to undertake and of documents they are required to bring on Day 1.
To inform the student of any occasions when their attendance will not be required, including consideration for holidays (although the provision of a bursary during any agreed holiday periods would be at the discretion of the host department or sponsor), including University closure days and Bank Holidays. For longer UROPs (of beyond 2 months) the supervisor should consider ensuring that the student receives a pro-rata number of days holiday in line with if they were employed (but taking into account the hours of attendance that have been agreed), and thus providing for some, if informal, level of equal treatment with others in the research group.
To ordinarily have indicated to the participant within 7 days of the UROP commencing the payment schedule of any bursary which may be being provided by Imperial.
To provide a reference upon or after completion of the research experience. Imperial's Student Records (UROP) Team can provide a statement of attendance.

Hours and Modes of Attendance

The hours you would be required to be in physical attendance on campus can be agreed with your supervisor. This allows for a more full-time approach and for a more part-time approach.

Participation often leads a student to commit to further hours beyond those in physical attendance, but again this should be discussed with your supervisor.

Participation can include, if agreed with the supervisor, time off-campus (visits to collaborators; conferences; perhaps time abroad). View the during your UROP page (First Day TAB).

Participation can also be pursued on a remote basis (part of a UROP; the whole UROP) if the supervisor agrees. If a UROP is undertaken wholly on a remote basis the supervisor must make clear to the student how integration into the research group/environment will be achieved.

Please refer to the statement on holidays in the UROP Participant's Declaration.

It is advised that any term-time UROP involving an Imperial undergraduate should be limited to 6 hours per week.

Additionally, (1) Imperial students who undertake a summer research experience might look to continue their work during the next academic year (i..e. during term-time), or (2) participants from outside Imperial might complete their UROP outcomes remotely. Either way, Imperial would not be able to certify attendance or participation unless the UROP Team were informed of these arrangements. Ordinarily, a student would be satisfied with a statement of attendance for their actual time at Imperial combined with a supervisor's reference which might make reference to their commitment overall to completing their UROP in a tidy fashion.

Orientation Information

When the Student Records (UROP) team confirm by email that a participant's registration has been processed the Team will also provide appropriate prompts to the participant about next steps and orientation.

Please refer to the Registration Process TAB for a reminder.

All participants, but especially those who are new to Imperial, should act promptly on the instructions given in their registration email as completion of these tasks will speed up access (or updating of access) to university services/facilities.

However, Imperial students who undertake a UROP in their own academic department will find that they are set-up to pursue their research experience without much, if any, adjustment.

The information provided below provides a UROP participant, especially those who are NEW to Imperial OR are Imperial students graduating ahead of the UROP (i.e. summer upon completion), with further practical details and information.

If you have any questions or concerns that can not be answered through the sections below, please contact the UROP Manager.

My Imperial (with reference to the Registration Process TAB) for those new to Imperial: Once you have accessed your My Imperial account you should fully activate your Imperial College ICT account (including your Imperial College mailbox). You should acquaint yourself with the services provided and the rules. You should also get into the regular habit of checking (or continuing to check) your Imperial College mailbox because all important university information and internal communications will be sent to your Imperial mailbox.

ID Cards (South Kensington)

Students NEW to Imperial College London: When you have fully completed your UROP registration on My Imperial PRINT off the enrolment sheet and when you arrive take it to the University's ID Office with a completed Day 1 Safety Induction Form (which students new to Imperial or new to the host department would complete with their host supervisor) to the ID Office. Check also with your host department about any "local" access requirements.
Students who are Imperial undergraduates (continuing, and undertaking their UROP in their home academic department): Your ID card ought to be OK but before you do so check with your department to about any other "local" access requirements.
Students who are Imperial undergraduates (continuing, but undertaking their UROP in a department other than their home academic department): When you have fully completed your UROP registration on My Imperial PRINT off the enrolment sheet and when you start your UROP take it to the University's ID Office to have your ID card updated with buildings access for your host department. Check also with your host department about any "local" access requirements. Be prepared to ALSO show a completed Day 1 Safety Induction Form (which students new to Imperial or new to the host department would complete with their host supervisor) to the ID Office. Be ready for short delays in securing appropriate access to buildings.
Students who are Imperial undergraduates (graduating at the end of the academic year; their UROP is taking place over the summer vacation): When you have fully completed your UROP registration PRINT off the registration email and when you start your UROP take it to the University's ID Office to have your ID card updated. The ID Office may have to check with the Student Records team in Registry to ensure that your record has been adjusted appropriately, so be prepared for a delay. Check also with your host department about any "local" access requirements.

ID Cards (other campuses)

All students should go to the Security Office (under the direction of the host department, i.e. go with someone) for the relevant campus (with a copy of their My Imperial print off) and seek assistance. Be prepared to ALSO show a completed Day 1 Safety Induction Form (which students new to Imperial or new to the host department would complete with their host supervisor) to the ID Office.

Library (students new to Imperial or graduating): Once you are in possession of your ID Card you will notice it includes a Library Number. Go to the main library on the campus you are located and ensure you complete any library registraton procedures. Further information: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/library/

Disability: Please note that if you have any questions concerning disabilities that you may contact the Imperial's Disabilities Advisory Service (DAS) on 020 759 49755. In order that you may successfully undertake a UROP research experience you are advised to make known any special access requirements you may have at the earliest possible stage (in advance of arrival if at all possible). If you are a participant from outside Imperial please make it clear to DAS that you are a UROP participant (and copy your email to urop@imperial.ac.uk) and if you have already registered your UROP research experience please also quote your CID number.

Accommodation (click on the link for advice)

Transport for London 18+ Student Oyster Photocard Scheme

If your research experience lasts a minimum of 14 weeks you may be eligible for a Transport for London 18+ Student Oyster Photocard
Applying for the 18+ Student Oyster Card: Applications for the 18+ Student Oyster card must be made online via the Transport for London website. Apply online now. To do this, you will need a digital passport photo to upload, your university enrolment number (this is your CID number which appears on your university ID), and a debit or credit card to pay the relevant application fee.

Council tax: Students graduating in June from UK institutions, including Imperial, are not exempt from the payment of Council Tax if it is applicable to the accommodation they are occupying, even if they are due to return to full-time higher education in Sept/October. UROP participants from outside the UK are not exempt for the payment of Council Tax where it is requirement. Participants who are housed in student accommodation during the summer vacation are not liable to Council Tax.

Health and Safety, Insurance: The host supervisor (research group) is responsible for providing each UROP participant with Day 1 instructions (including the provision of a Day 1 safety induction for participants who are unfamiliar with the supervisor's research environment) and for the general day-to-day management of a research experience. UROP participants are insured for a UROP in the same way as staff and regular students of Imperial are when on or off campus for the purpose of undertaking their work/studies, i.e. Imperial College London has both Employer Liability Insurance and Public Liability Insurance. Of course, if a UROP is to be undertaken on a remote basis then the above will be adjusted accordingly.

Health Services at South Kensington: The Imperial College Health Centre (NHS) is also accessible if you are registered with them, and that will depend on where you are living.

Sport and gym facilities are available on the South Kensington Campus at Ethos, and further facilities are available on other campuses. Ethos offers a wide range of activities to suit all tastes and standards. A UROP participant who is not currently enrolled as an Imperial undergraduate can enquire at the reception desk at Ethos about how to create a membership (taking with them their University ID Card). For more information on student memberships, including how to apply on-line, please visit the Ethos website.

Careers Service: Please note that UROP participants who are not undergraduate students of Imperial cannot normally access Imperial's Careers Service.

Student Union: Please note that UROP participants are not automatically members of the Imperial College [Students] Union based solely on pursuing the UROP activity. Membership of the Student Union only applies when an individual is registered at Imperial as a student for the purpose of undertaking a programme leading to a qualification/award OR a study period as a non-degree (occasional) student. While the University ID card may allow a UROP participant access to Union functions (perhaps with payment for each event) as someone attending Imperial, it unfortunately does not mean you are able to automatically access Union services and facilities. However, you are welcome to join the Union (there is a membership fee). What benefits are there of obtaining Union membership? There are probably two main benefits: 1. Imperial College Union Advice Centre is a helpful source of information on accommodation issues (e.g. dealing with landlords). 2. The Union operates many social/recreational/sporting clubs & societies. This may be of particular interest to UROP participants who are here during the period October - March, when most clubs and societies are active. If you wish to access Imperial College Union services you should contact the Union (union@imperial.ac.uk) making it clear that you are a UROP participant (and quoting your CID number). If you have general questions about accessing Union facilities please emali urop@imperial.ac.uk in the first instance.

Certification: You may obtain upon request a statement of attendance for your UROP research experience from the UROP team (urop@imperial.ac.uk). This also applies to after you have left.

UROP News - Summer 2025

Successful application - what next?

Registering a UROP Experience