Han Ming
PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
The sense of community and the opportunity to live in a vibrant city like London made me confident that Imperial was the perfect place for my PhD studies.
Seen as an ideal environment for his academic and professional growth, Han Ming from Malaysia chose Imperial College London as the best place to do his Doctoral degree in Civil Engineering. He shares his advice for applying for a PhD and scholarships, where his favourite spots are in London and how he built his strong network of friends and colleagues.
Why Imperial?
Several factors were important to me when choosing a university, including its reputation, its research groups, the quality of the facilities, the geographical location, funding opportunities and the track record of alumni. Imperial College London stood out in all these aspects, providing an ideal environment for my academic and professional growth.
I knew Imperial was right for me when I spoke with my potential supervisor and the students in their research group. They were not only rigorous in their academic work but also very sociable and supportive. This sense of community and the opportunity to live in a vibrant city like London made me confident that Imperial was the perfect place for my PhD studies.
Applying for a PhD at Imperial
I started by approaching my potential supervisors by email to express my interest in their research group. After an initial interview, I applied through the Imperial application portal, My Imperial. The process also involved applying for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate because of the nature of my research work. My supervisors guided me throughout the application process, especially with my additional application to the Department Skempton Scholarship.
The application process was straightforward with clear instructions on the required information and documents. My supervisors' guidance was invaluable, particularly in navigating the scholarship application and ensuring that my research proposal was well-articulated.
My advice to others looking to do a PhD is to apply as early as possible and keep track of scholarship deadlines. Reach out to potential supervisors to discuss your research interests and get their advice on the application process.
Also, thoroughly research the department and the specific research groups to ensure they align with your academic and professional goals. If possible, ask to talk to students within the department to get a good understanding of the culture of the group, which can help in deciding if the group is the right fit for you.
Interested in Doctoral study at Imperial?
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Joining the Imperial community
As a PhD student, I met people at Imperial through the induction programmes, which were designed to help new students integrate into the community. I also joined several clubs and attended their events which provided more great opportunities to meet new people. The social events organised within my research group also helped me build a network of friends and colleagues.
It is amazing how I can meet people from all over the world in the Imperial community. It’s inspiring to be able to share and learn a lot about different and interesting cultures, world views and ways of life. The international community here is helping me to widen my horizons and allows me to celebrate diversity.
Imperial’s community has been very supportive in various ways. Socially, there are lots of clubs and societies that help students connect and build friendships. Academically, the faculty and my peers have been invaluable in providing guidance and feedback on my research. Professionally, the career services and industry connections have opened lots of opportunities for internships and collaborations.
Being a PhD student at Imperial
Starting a PhD can be quite overwhelming, as it's not structured like an undergraduate programme. To be honest, I felt a little lost in the beginning, but the inductions and the support from my supervisors helped me settle in.
The most challenging part of my PhD so far has been maintaining self-motivation and resilience, especially when my research work doesn’t go as planned or when research results are not as expected. Dealing with setbacks and staying focused on long-term goals requires a lot of perseverance – I'm working on it!
Truth be told, I have yet to achieve big things in my research. However, I am proud to have achieved small milestones and have experienced lots of ‘firsts’ in my academic journey, such as my first poster presentation, first symposium and first conference. It’s been incredibly rewarding to meet people in similar fields to talk about all the research happening in geotechnical engineering.
Joining the Imperial community
As a PhD student, I met people at Imperial through the induction programmes, which were designed to help new students integrate into the community. I also joined several clubs and attended their events which provided more great opportunities to meet new people. The social events organised within my research group also helped me build a network of friends and colleagues.
It is amazing how I can meet people from all over the world in the Imperial community. It’s inspiring to be able to share and learn a lot about different and interesting cultures, world views and ways of life. The international community here is helping me to widen my horizons and allows me to celebrate diversity.
Imperial’s community has been very supportive in various ways. Socially, there are lots of clubs and societies that help students connect and build friendships. Academically, the faculty and my peers have been invaluable in providing guidance and feedback on my research. Professionally, the career services and industry connections have opened lots of opportunities for internships and collaborations.
Being a PhD student at Imperial
Starting a PhD can be quite overwhelming, as it's not structured like an undergraduate programme. To be honest, I felt a little lost in the beginning, but the inductions and the support from my supervisors helped me settle in.
The most challenging part of my PhD so far has been maintaining self-motivation and resilience, especially when my research work doesn’t go as planned or when research results are not as expected. Dealing with setbacks and staying focused on long-term goals requires a lot of perseverance – I'm working on it!
Truth be told, I have yet to achieve big things in my research. However, I am proud to have achieved small milestones and have experienced lots of ‘firsts’ in my academic journey, such as my first poster presentation, first symposium and first conference. It’s been incredibly rewarding to meet people in similar fields to talk about all the research happening in geotechnical engineering.
Experience a day in the life of an Imperial PhD student
Join Han Ming to see what an average day as a Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD student is like.
Experience a day in the life of an Imperial PhD student
Join Han Ming to see what an average day as a Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD student is like.
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Living in London as an international student
Moving to London has been a fantastic experience. The city is incredibly vibrant and diverse, offering endless opportunities for cultural, social, and professional activities. Navigating life in such a large city has also helped me become more independent and adaptable.
Currently I live around Notting Hill which is a very nice area filled with amazing cafes and the famous Portobello Road. I love strolling down Portobello Road on Saturdays when it’s in full swing with lots of stores to explore, showcasing anything from food to fashion! There's also plenty of cosy cafes and brunch places to try, like my favourites Beam and Eggbreak.
For a bit of nature, Holland Park has beautiful gardens and Hyde Park is perfect for jogging through. However, Regent's Park has to be one of my favourite parks in London and is just a few Tube stops away - I love it even more when the trees are golden during autumn!
The best thing about living in London is the vibrant atmosphere and the variety of activities available. There’s always something new to see or do, whether it’s a cultural event, a different neighbourhood, a new restaurant or a historic site.
Studying in such an exciting city keeps me motivated and inspired. I always stay open to exploring more of the city and making the most of the opportunities it offers!
I've made the most of the cultural and entertainment opportunities in London, such as attending musicals and the theatre, visiting museums, restaurants and exploring different neighbourhoods. I’ve also taken advantage of the city’s central location to travel around the UK and Europe.
Postgraduate accommodation options
Currently, I live in a flatshare with two of my friends. In my first year, I lived in private accommodation provided by the London Hostels Association (LHA), which I found through Googling and searching on Imperial Home Solutions. Before moving to London, I had support from the Student Accommodation Office to find suitable accommodation and their Private Housing Masterclass was really helpful in guiding me through the renting process.
My advice for others who are looking to move to London to study at Imperial is give yourself enough time to flat hunt – make sure to research different neighbourhoods to find one that suits your lifestyle and budget. Don’t forget to use Imperial’s accommodation services and tools to help you find your new home.
Take our Private Housing Masterclass
Support for navigating each step of your journey to finding private accommodation.
Studying at Imperial has definitely changed me. I’ve learned to be more independent and self-reliant as a researcher. Being surrounded by talented researchers and being in a rigorous academic environment has motivated me to become a better version of myself. Moreover, being part of a diverse international community has broadened my perspectives and enhanced my cultural awareness.
My experience has been a transformative journey of rigorous academic challenges, invaluable professional growth and enriching personal connections with a diverse community.
Studying at Imperial has definitely changed me. I’ve learned to be more independent and self-reliant as a researcher. Being surrounded by talented researchers and being in a rigorous academic environment has motivated me to become a better version of myself. Moreover, being part of a diverse international community has broadened my perspectives and enhanced my cultural awareness.
My experience has been a transformative journey of rigorous academic challenges, invaluable professional growth and enriching personal connections with a diverse community.
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