Virtual open day talk 2024
We hope the recent advances in Material Science and Engineering will lead to innovative solutions to some of the challenges we face in industries such as healthcare, energy, sustainable environment, transport, telecommunications and many more. We encourage applications from all those who want to be part of this community and learn to be pioneering, entrepreneurial and be a team player without losing their individuality" - Dr Priya Saravanapavan, Undergraduate Admissions Tutor
As an admission tutor, I am looking for applicants who are passionate about:
- studying the different aspects of materials to develop their knowledge and understanding of the discipline.
- becoming an integral part of our small ‘Imperial Materials’ community.
- willing to contribute to the social aspects of our wider college community.
In addition to your academic ability, we will consider your wider profile, and an interview will assess your potential in your degree choice, as well as your team working skills. We will read your personal statement and reference to understand your personal motivation, commitment and broader interests.
Our undergraduate courses and how to apply
Materials Science and Engineering |
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| BEng - UCAS JF52 - ECTS: 180 - 3 yrs |
| MEng - UCAS JFM2 - ECTS: 240 - 4 yrs |
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As our flagship degree programme, the core modules taught across the first three years underpin the foundations of the discipline: processing, structure, properties and performance. There are opportunities in the final years to tailor-make your studies by choosing optional modules that map onto the Department's research themes. |
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering |
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In the third year of this degree and in addition to core Materials topics, you study cell biology, biocompatibility and biomaterials for hard tissue restoration. In the final year, there are specialist modules covering biomaterials for soft tissue restoration, tissue engineering and artificial organs, including many detailed case studies. |
Materials with Nuclear Engineering |
| MEng - UCAS J5H8 - ECTS: 240 - 4 yrs |
| Materials are central to the nuclear industry, both in designing reactor parts that are safe under irradiation, and in handling and processing waste. This degree combines modules in metals, glasses and ceramics with a focused introduction to nuclear engineering taught by specialists from across Imperial. You will be expected to conduct a research project that should be nuclear-focused. |
Making a Strong Application
Personal statement
The personal statement is very important as it helps us assess your interest in the subject. We want to hear why you are interested in the course and details of any skills, interests and attributes you have that demonstates aptitude, motivation and interest in the course.
1. Motivation to study
Motivation to study Materials Science and Engineering is very important. I know some of our applicants may also be applying to other subjects such as chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering etc. If you are that applicant, I would like to see you link that subject to Materials and why you have chosen it as one of your five.
2. Awareness of course
Some applicants apply because they like Maths, Chemistry and Physics. I would like to see this linked to Materials Science. For example – you might have completed a chemistry practical in class that really interested you, link it to materials, tell us why it interested you and any follow-up you may have done.
3. Super Curricular activities
This should NOT have to be expensive and competitive. This could include further reading you may have done (books, podcasts, TED talks, and listening to some of the lectures available on our website). There are also free EdX or Coursera courses that may be of interest to you.
4. Engineering Experience
I would like to know whether you are interested in the engineering aspects of the course – are you hands on? This could be as simple as repairing a household item or building something simple for a DT project at school. If you have managed to gain work experience that is great, but this is not essential.
5. Personal Interests
Are you a well-rounded person? Do you take part in activities outside of school? How have you contributed to the community you belong to? Materials community at Imperial is very small and as such we like to ensure our students are involved in our community as well as contribute to the wider college community.
6. Other
If you have taken or you are preparing to take a gap year, please include details of what this will entail – work experience, volunteering, travel – link it to skills and how that might be useful to the course.
The college offers additional advice for Personal Statements on their website, which you may also find helpful.
Interviews
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview, either in-person here at the South Kensington campus in London or online via MS Teams. Regardless of the location of your interview (whether on campus or on MS Teams), the aims and format of the interview will be the same.
Our interviews are held on what we call Applicant Days.
Applicant days are held on Wednesdays between November and March. Please see Applicant day dates for more information. We have approximately eight applicant days a year. The applicant day runs from 11:00 to 15:30.
Throughout the Applicant Day, interviewers will be assessing your English language skills as well as your academic ability. You will be expected to have a good standard of spoken English to take part in the interviews. Please check our English language requirement for more detail.
What can I expect on an applicant day?
First, you will hear from our Director of Undergraduate Studies and then our Admission Tutor.
During the time with us, you will attend:
- A 30 minute one-to-one interview with one of our lecturers. We aim for the interview to be more of a conversation. The main purpose of the interview is for us to see whether you are suitable for the course, as much as for you to decide if Imperial is the place for you.
- A 45 minute group task. The task will be an engineering-based problem-solving challenge to see your team working skills, as we deem this to be an important part of life at Imperial.
- A 30 minute Q&A with current student ambassadors, where you will be able to ask them questions about the course and studying in London.
Receiving an offer
If you have been successful in your interviews, you will receive an offer from the Department! Depending on your qualification, performance during the applicant day and other factors, the offer will vary.
Typically, it will take us 3 weeks after the interview to inform you of the outcome.
The College’s offer holder information page may be useful before you start your journey with us.
For questions about what to do after you receive an offer, please contact the Engineering Faculty Admissions Team.