FAQs

To apply to attend the Summer School you will need to complete our online application form. Further details can be found on our How to apply page.

We strongly encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible as places are allocated on a first come first serve basis. The final application deadline is 23:59 (BST) 29 May 2025.

If you require a short term visa we strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible to ensure you have plenty of time to arrange it. Obtaining a visa or any other required documents remains your responsibility. 

Due to popular demand for the Revolutions in Biomedicine courses, we aim to respond to all applications within 20 working days. However, should you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by asking a question. 

You can check if you need to apply for a visa in advance of arriving in the UK on the UK government website. There is also information on the Imperial College London visa webpages about visas for short courses. If you do need a visa, we advise you to apply as early as possible for the Summer School.

If you have further questions about applying for a visa for the course, please email fomsummerschool@imperial.ac.uk and we can send you more detailed information.

This is a 3 week on campus course giving you an in depth insight into the research and work of world renowned academics. The course will stretch and challenge you to work with a range of students on your own mini research project. You will build your confidence to present your findings amongst your classmates, whilst gaining real wet laboratory experience. You will also be supported by a team of Imperial College staff and be able to attend guest lectures with leading-edge researchers. The course is an ideal opportunity to learn new skills, to network, and to immerse yourself in the Imperial environment. 

To be eligible to attend you must be 18 or over and currently be studying or have recently completed your undergraduate degree. In your application form you must demonstrate that you meet our minimum academic and English language requirements. 

You will need to evidence how you meet one of the following criteria:

• IELTS (a score of 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all elements)
• TOEFL (a score of 92 overall with a minimum score of 20 in all elements)
• Other English language qualification listed on the College’s English-language requirement page at the 'standard' level.

Please note, if you are undertaking an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a College listed exemption country, you will not need to demonstrate any of the above criteria; instead, you will need to provide evidence of your degree e.g. results transcript.

If you are not sure whether you meet the above criteria or have any questions about the entry requirements please email the team (fomsummerschool@imperial.ac.uk) who will be able to help further.

You must be a current undergraduate student (or recent graduate), aged over 18 years and be able to demonstrate that you have passed at least one undergraduate module in a bioscience subject in your application form. If you do not have this when completing your application form, you must provide an academic reference from your current academic institution instead.

Monday to Friday between 09.00-17.00 you will be in sessions that may be taught or in the laboratory. During the evenings you may have free time, social activities or be attending a guest lecture.

There will be opportunities to work with other students online outside of class. Further details of what you can expect to cover in each session will be shared in your course booklet.

Attendance is vital, and you are required to attend at least 80% of your lessons in order to pass the course. There is also an optional assessment for those wishing to gain 7.5 ECTS credits for the Summer School.

The Summer School is based at Imperial College, London. We have multiple campuses, all located within Central London. Further information can be found in the campus and social life section on the Summer School website. 

The course carries 7.5 ECTS credits (3-4 US), subject to your home institution approval. In order to gain academic credit, students must attend a minimum of 80% of the course, gain a combined score of at least 40% in the assessments (a lab project report with a presentation) and complete the portfolio assessment.

All students will receive a participation certificate upon successful completion of the course. In addition to this, prizes are awarded for a variety of academic and social reasons in the graduation ceremony which takes place on the final day of the Summer School.

There is an Early Bird course fee of £3,595 per person for 'complete' applications received before the Early Bird deadline (23:59 (BST) on Monday 14 April 2025).  For applications received after this deadline, the standard course fee is £3,895 per person. 

In order for your application to be considered 'complete' you must evidence how you meet our entry requirements within your application form before submitting. Please note if you submit an application form without the required evidence, you may be liable to pay the standard course fee without any Early Bird discount. 

For Students who submit 'complete' applications before 23.59 (BST) on the Early Bird deadline the course fee is £3,595. For your application form to be considered 'complete' please ensure you have submitted appropriate evidence to demonstrate how you meet our entry requirements as part of your application. 

We have a special opportunity for you in return for your help in spreading the word about this year's Summer School. We have set up a refer a friend scheme which means that once you have a course offer and have paid the course fees, you can refer a friend to attend the summer school. You will receive £100 paid back to you after your friend has enrolled and your friend will also receive a £100 paid back to them. Please note this scheme is applicable to individual students referring between 1-3 friends.

We also offer group booking discounts to institutions booking on behalf of students from the same university. Please contact us to find out more. 

Information on how to pay for the Summer School shall be sent to you with your offer of a place. Payment must be made by credit or debit card through our online payment portal. Please note it is important to make payment within 14 days of your offer being made to confirm your place. All payments must be made in GB Pounds Sterling. Any currency conversion costs or other charges incurred in making the payment are not deducted from the fee paid to Imperial College. 

Scholarships are available for the Summer School which will cover the full cost of the tuition fees. Further information can be found on our scholarship pages. 

Yes, an interview will be a mandatory step for all shortlisted candidates. Detailed information about the interview process, including dates, relevant topics or areas of discussion, will be shared with those who are shortlisted

Your place in the Summer School is guaranteed regardless of the outcome of your scholarship application. However, you must accept your offer within 28 days of receiving it to secure your spot. You may disregard the standard 14-day tuition fee payment deadline until the scholarship decisions are finalised.

Accommodation is not provided as part of the Summer School.

For information and contact details about accommodation at Imperial College London, please see the Summer Accommodation webpages.

Yes, all students will need to arrange their own accommodation.

Optional social and cultural programme example activities in previous years have included: 

BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall 
East London Street Art walking tour 
Kew Gardens 
Sunset Safari at London Zoo 
London Outdoor Escape Room 
Late night museum openings

We will be emailing our applicants and offer holders, showcasing what events we have on offer closer to the time of the Summer School.

The social programme has a whole range of events on offer. Some of these are included in your fee, and some will be additional paid activities. More specific details will be released to applicants and offer holders, so keep an eye out for this.

The social programme is optional, however it provides an excellent opportunity to make friends, network and explore London. We also have student ambassadors from Imperial College to help with the social programme so it is an excellent opportunity to discover what it is like to be a student at Imperial College London.