Frequently asked questions

Apply online via the MRes Cancer Technology page of the postgraduate prospectus. Here you will find all the necessary information and instructions to apply.

There is NO application fee for MRes programmes for autumn 2024 entry.

Every application is carefully considered on its merits. To maximise your chances of success, you should ensure that you do the following:

• Supply a clear and concise Personal Statement in the space provided. Consider your aptitude and motivation for applying for the course, your academic and/or career plans as well as your research interests. Explain why the Department of Bioengineering/Imperial College London would help you achieve your research/career goals.
• Include clear indication of what research area you are interested in.
• Include your email address (the electronic form has a space for it).
• Include the email addresses of your two referees

• Ensure your referees are willing and able to provide prompt references for you

Applications will be considered in three rounds. When you apply will determine which round you are considered in and when you can expect a decision on your application.

• Round 1 deadline: Friday 15 December 2023.  Decision can be expected by Friday 26 January 2024
• Round 2 deadline: Friday 1 March 2024. Decision can be expected by Friday 26 April 2024.
• Round 3 deadline: Friday 5 July 2024. Decision can be expected by Friday 2 August 2024.

In the first year of the programme, we had over four times more research projects than students and every student was offered their first choice.  Some example of potential projects included: “Development of tumour-on-chip platforms for investigating lung metastasis through extracellular matrix”, “Systems biology approach for cancer immunotherapy dynamical mechanisms to turn “cold” tumours into “hot” tumours”, “Tumour-selective nanoparticles for the treatment of metastatic ovarian cancer”, “A microscope that sees electricity: development of an optical imaging pipeline to evaluate cancer cell aggressiveness through electrical and morphological dynamics”, among many others.

The dynamic nature of research means that research projects may change year-to-year.  However, the broad expertise of academics across Imperial College and the Institute of Cancer Research will provide broad opportunities for exciting research.

If you have further questions regarding the projects, please contact the course director Dr Jun Ishihara. 

The Bioengineering  department is unable to accommodate ad hoc visits. However, the College student recruitment team offer weekly in-person appointments for prospective students in the Visitor Centre in the main entrance of our South Kensington Campus on Exhibition Road – located in square B2 on this campus map. Further details including an online booking form can be found on the College Visit pages.

A guided tour will be included in our Bioengineering Masters Courses Open afternoon on Wednesday, 6 March 2024. For further information, please click here.

You will have time to discuss with potential supervisors about their projects in the first term. Project selection will typically occur based on a rank-ordered selection process in November.

For the MRes in Cancer Technology, you are not required to contact potential supervisors before applying. 

Our minimum requirement is normally a 2:1 degree in an engineering discipline, or physical, mathematical, medical or biological science, or equivalent.

Students with a minimum 2:1 degree in medical science, biology or cancer-related subject may be admitted if they have a demonstrated track record of training or engagement in engineering, biophysics, cancer technologies or mathematics.

If you would like to know whether your qualifications meet our minimum requirements, you may find the general information on degree equivalence helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the department admissions team at be.pgadmissions@imperial.ac.uk. 

Applicants should note that meeting the minimum academic requirement does not guarantee you will be made an offer of admission.

Yes. It is fine to send your application in before you have met the English Language conditions. 

If you are successful in being offered a place on the course and you do not already hold an acceptable English Language qualification then you will be asked to obtain one before your place is confirmed (and before your CAS is issued, if relevant). Instructions for how to submit your English Language qualification will be sent when your offer is made. 

You can find a list of acceptable English Language Qualifications here. We require students to achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification.

The Department of Bioengineering offers a number of MRes scholarships worth £4,999, open to all students regardless of country of origin. You do not need to apply separately for these scholarships, we will automatically consider all applications.  Selection is primarily based on academic merit.

You can find information about other funding opportunities from the Imperial College Scholarships page. UK students may be eligible for a government Master's Loan.

We require two references in order to assess your application. When you apply via Imperial Gateway you will be asked to nominate two referees.

One referee must be an academic reference, the second referee may be another academic referee, or where appropriate/relevant, a professional referee. If your referee is unable to complete your reference online, please contact the Central Admissions team engineering.admissions@imperial.ac.uk.

We will not be able to pass your application on to the course director until we have received two references, so please speak to your referees beforehand to ensure they are willing and able to provide a reference for you.

Our MRes courses can form the first year of effectively a 4 year PhD (1 year MRes + 3 year Phd), but you must apply for each programme separately. You apply for the PhD in the normal way, while studying for the MRes. Admission to the MRes does not guarantee admission to the PhD programme.

Your application will be reviewed by the Course Director.  If they want to take your application forward, they will invite you to an interview.  You will be notified of the outcome of your application or interview via the College application system.  If you are offered a place, you will need to fulfil any required conditions (e.g. achieving a certain grade in your degree, completing an approved English test) before you can start the programme.