Frequently asked questions

Consult the Registry website.  For returning Year 2, 3 and 4 students, in Term 1 teaching does not start until the Thursday of the first week to allow you to be involved with Freshers Week events.  In Terms 2 and 3, all students should expect classes to begin immediately on the first day of term.

Students are also expected to be available for teaching or assessments on any date during term time.

This is possible at any time up to the start of Year 3 provided that you have taken the Mathematical Methods option in Year 2. Transfers will only be considered after consultation with your personal tutor, who must inform the Senior Tutor.

No. The theoretical elective modules in Years 3 and 4 are open to all students, irrespective of the degree programme they are registered on.  Those on the MSci or BSc with Theoretical Physics have to take a minimum number of theoretical electives (most are 7.5 ECTS)  Any other student can take as few or as many as they wish depending on their confidence and ability in mathematics.  You should consult your personal tutor before making a final decision.

College regulations state that the latest a student can swap between degree programmes is the end of March of your third year. Here in Physics we normally ask students to decide before the last day of term 2. This gives students time to change their minds before the final College deadline. To be able to swap between MSci and BSc degree in the third year, you muse take a standard BSc project or an Essay Project as an option in Year 3.

We keep a record of attendance in lab, seminars, tutorials and project meetings. We occasionally take the register in a lecture. You will not lose marks for poor attendance, but your record might be mentioned when your Personal Tutor writes a reference for you.

Students can contact the Graduation Team to get details of the ceremony or tickets on the Imperial Graduation website.

If you are a Tier 4 student, changes to your course of study may have implications for your immigration status in the UK. Imperial College has a team of dedicated immigration advisers who can provide advice and guidance to you if your course is changing due to your exam results. Please ensure that you contact them for advice on international@imperial.ac.uk

If your current visa was issued for an Undergraduate Masters programme, and you are not able to continue on that route and you move to a Bachelor degree, you may need to leave the UK and apply for a new Tier 4 visa for your new course of study.

Whether you have to make a new Tier 4 application depends on when your current visa was issued.

• If your current visa was issued before 6 November 2014, you do not have to make a visa application to change your course from an Undergraduate Masters to a Bachelors.

• If your current visa was issued after 6 November 2014, you will have to make a new Tier 4 application from your home country in order to change your course from an undergraduate Masters to a Bachelors.  

If you are changing your course of study and you are currently on a Tier 4 visa, it is essential that you seek advice about your situation from the International Student Support Office at the College. Please contact them on international@imperial.ac.uk in the first instance.

If you currently hold a Tier 4 visa and your course of study changes you may be required to return to your home country to make a new Tier 4 application. These changes include:

• If you undertake a work placement as part of the course and this extends your course end date
• If you undertake a study abroad placement as part of the course and this extends your course end date
• If you move from BEng to MEng / BSc to MSci and this extends your course end date
• You need additional time to complete your course of study for any other reason

If your current Tier 4 visa was issued BEFORE 6^th April 2016, you can make the new Tier 4 application from your home country at any stage. If your current visa was issued AFTER 6 April 2016, you have to make your Tier 4 application from your home country BEFORE your course changes.

it is essential that you seek advice about your situation from the International Student Support Office at the College. Please contact them on international@imperial.ac.uk in the first instance.