The crest, or coat of arms, is an important part of our visual identity. Imperial was assigned a coat of arms in 1908 by Royal Warrant and its use is governed by the College of Arms.
Imperial’s coat of arms is used in a small number of formal or ceremonial contexts including degree certificates, as well as on some sports team apparel and merchandise.
Imperial's motto, coined in 1908, is ‘Scientia imperii decus et tutamen’ which can be translated as ‘Scientific knowledge, the crowning glory and the safeguard of the empire’. As of 2020 we have updated the crest to no longer include this motto on any new materials. This is to better reflect Imperial's culture and values today and our commitment to support a diverse and inclusive community.
Unlike most universities, Imperial's historic Latin motto was assigned to the institution as part of its Royal Warrant. This means that while Imperial can choose to stop displaying it, it cannot be changed or reworded unilaterally, without the issuing of a new Royal Warrant by The King, as well as approval from the College of Arms.
Due to its restricted use, please contact the Brand team for any requests to use the crest and for the correct files.