Virtual private network (VPN)

VPN access is not available for Imperial staff unless it is required to access applications required for work, teaching or research. If there is an application you require access to that does not work using Unified Access, please contact the ICT Service Desk.

Students with existing access to the Imperial VPN will be able to continue using it. If you are a new student and require access to the VPN for your studies, please contact the ICT Service Desk.

Access to the VPN may also depend on the country you're in when you try to connect. Please see our internet censorship web page for more information.

VPN access for external contractors

If you are working with an external contractors and they require access to the Imperial VPN, please complete the external contractor VPN form. Access to the Contractor VPN service must be sponsored by an Imperial staff member.

Using the contractor VPN service

Once an account has been created, ICT will send the login details to the contractor named on the application form.

The contractor VPN service can be used with Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

Set up the VPN on your device

The instructions below are for students who require access to VPN services for their studies. Staff should be using Unified Access to access Imperial applications. 

 

Set up the VPN on your device

Before you connect

  1. Click Start/Windows key.
  2. Search for “VPN Settings”.
  3. In the top right hand corner click “Add VPN”.
  4. Leave “VNP Provider” as “Windows (built-in)”.
  5. Set “Connection name” as “Imperial VPN”.
  6. Set “Server name or address” to “vpn.ic.ac.uk”.
  7. Leave “VPN type” on “Automatic”.
  8. Leave “Type of sign-in info” as “Username and password”.
  9. Set “Username (optional)” as Imperial username (abc123 NOT IC\abc123 or abc123@ic.ac.uk).
  10. Set “Password (optional)” as Imperial password.

To connect

Method 1
  1. Click Start/Windows key.
  2. Search for “VPN Settings”.
  3. In the top right hand corner, next to your VPN connection click “Connect”.
Method 2
  1. Click on your internet icon in the taskbar by the clock.
  2. On the popup menu click “VPN”.
  3. Then click on your connection.

Follow these instructions to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection on your Windows 10 or Windows 8 machine:

  1. Click on the Start button in the toolbar.
  2. Type "Network Status" in the Search field and press Enter.
  3. Choose VPN from the left-hand-side menu.
  4. Select "Add a VPN connection".
  5. In Connection Name type "Imperial VPN". 
  6. Enter "vpn.ic.ac.uk" in the Server Name or Address field.
  7. Enter "Automatic" in the VPN Type field.
  8. Select User Name & Password in the Type of Sign-in info field. 
  9. Enter your Imperial username (without the IC\ prefix).
  10. Enter your Imperial password.
  11. Tick Remember by sign-in info & click Save.

The connection has now been created and can be accessed and connected to by clicking the Wi-Fi symbol in the bottom right-hand corner.  

Alternative method

  1. Download and install the latest OpenVPN client.
  2. Download the OpenVPN configuration file.
  3. Click the start button, type "OpenVPN" and click on the OpenVPN icon to open the client.
  4. Under Import Profile click "File" and browse to the location of the OpenVPN configuration file downloaded in step 2.
  5. Open the file.
  6. Enter your Imperial username.
  7. Tick Save Password and enter your Imperial password.
  8. Click Add.
  9. Click on the Open VPN Profile to connect to the VPN.

Follow these instructions to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection on your Windows 7 machine:

  1. Click on the Start button in the toolbar.
  2. Type "Network and Sharing Center" in the Search field and press Enter.
  3. Choose "Set up a new connection or network" under the heading Change your network settings on the main page.
  4. Choose "Connect to a workplace" from the new dialog box and click Next.
  5. Select "Use my Internet connection".
  6. Type "vpn.ic.ac.uk" in the Internet address field.
  7. Type "Imperial College VPN" in the Destination name field and click Next.
  8. Enter your Imperial username and password in the relevant fields on the next screen and click Connect.

The connection has now been created and will be saved and displayed in your connection list.

For Mac OS version 10.12 (Sierra) and above

Apple are no longer supporting Imperial's VPN method, PPTP, on the latest versions of MacOS and iOS. If you're using Mac OS Sierra, High Sierra or Mojave, follow the instructions below:

  1. Download Tunnelblick and install it.
  2. Once Tunnelblick is installed download the OpenVPN config file.
  3. Double click on the OpenVPN file you downloaded and connect using your Imperial username and password.

To access Library Journals, please visit the Library Website and use Library Search.

For Mac OS Big Sur

We recommend those using Big Sur to download the beta version of Tunnelblick for a smoother experience. More information can be found on the Tunnelblick webpages.  

Notes

These instructions require you to have the NetworkManager-pptp package (network-manager-pptp and network-manager-pptp-gnome on Ubuntu/Debian) on your machine. 

Users of this service will need to have an Imperial user account and access to the SSH Gateway service. You can request access to the SSH Gateway service via the ICT Service Desk.

Follow these instructions to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection on your Linux machine:

  1. Download Putty or another SSH v2 client.
  2. You will need to first follow the instructions to wake my PC.
  3. Enter "sshgw.ic.ac.uk" as Host Name.
  4. Click Open.
  5. Enter your Imperial username.
  6. Enter your Imperial password.
  7. You will get a warning message about trusting this machine the first time. Enter yes.
  8. Type "ssh your computer hostname".
  9. Enter the username you use on the Linux machine.
  10. Enter the password you use on the Linux machine.

The Network Connections dialog box should now show your new VPN connection. To connect in future, click on the Network Manager icon again, select VPN Connections and choose Imperial College VPN.

To connect to the Imperial VPN using an Android device, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings on your Android device.
  2. Select Wireless & networks.
  3. Select VPN settings.
  4. Tap on Add VPN.
  5. Select Add PPTP VPN.
  6. Edit the VPN name, type Imperial and click OK.
  7. Set the VPN server to vpn.ic.ac.uk and click OK.

The connection is now set up. To use it, go back to the VPN settings screen and tap on Imperial.

Instructions for iOS 10 and later

Apple is no longer supporting Imperials VPN method, PPTP, on the latest versions of MacOS and iOS. If you're using iOS 10, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Download the OpenVPN connect app from itunes.
  2. Download the OpenVPN config file and tap Open in "OpenVPN".
  3. Tap the green button with a + sign plus on it.
  4. Enter your Imperial username and password.
  5. Tap save.
  6. Tap the switch underneath Disconnected which will then connect you to the VPN.

If you have connected to the VPN using the instructions above and still can’t access journals please see use one of the alternative access methods.

Please note that the VPN is not intended to provide access to region-restricted resources such as video or audio streaming providers.

Instructions for iOS 9 and earlier

  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select VPN.
  4. Tap Add VPN Configuration.
  5. Select PPTP.
  6. Add Imperial VPN as the Description.
  7. Type vpn.imperial.ac.uk in the Server field.
  8. Type your Imperial username in the Account field.
  9. Type your Imperial password in the Password field.
  10. Tap Save.

The connection is now set up. To use it, go to Settings > General and swipe the VPN button to ON.