FAQs for students
The start dates of our courses have not changed as a result of COVID-19 and are scheduled to start as advertised. We remain committed to delivering the highest quality education, so you can be assured that – whether the course starts on campus, online or through blended learning – we have the technology, the expertise and committed staff who are ready to offer you a first-class educational experience that will inspire you. You can read more about this on our website.
More information from the College for applicants with regards COVID-19 can be found on the College study pages.
We have put together some answers to common questions below with regards to our postgraduate taught programmes. If you have further queries please contact the relevant course administrator whose contact details can be found on the course pages.
For current students
Fee reduction
At the current time, the College does not have plans to reduce or refund fees as they are working hard to ensure that all students will be able to complete their studies within this academic year or where this can’t be done by extending the programme, and where this is agreed, no additional fees will be charged.
Programme Extensions
Find information on Programme Extensions.
Student volunteering
The College website has included information on how students can volunteer.
For prospective students
Will my chosen programme still be offered in 2020/21?
Yes, Imperial College London remains open for business and we look forward to welcoming you in October 2020.
Suppose social distancing measures are still in force in the UK in October?
We will follow the UK government advice closely. If social distancing measures continue to be in place in the Autumn, we will deliver the teaching remotely that term.
When will you be able to tell me whether the programme will be delivered on campus or remotely?
We cannot provide you with a specific date as we do not know how the pandemic will develop. We will follow the guidance provided by the UK government closely and will make a decision on the delivery mode as soon as soon as it is feasible to do so.
Can I choose whether to study face-to-face or remotely in the Autumn term?
No, we can only deliver the programme in one format. Remote delivery necessitates the preparation and presentation of content in a manner which is different to that for face-to-face delivery. In order to maintain the quality of our programmes, we need to focus on one or the other format and cannot make both available. We will be in touch again, when the situation becomes clearer, about the format we will be using.
Can I defer my place until 2021/22?
Yes, you may, although we can assure you that the programme will run in 2020/21.
Will the fees be lower if the Autumn term is delivered remotely?
Developing and delivering academic and clinical material of sufficiently high quality remotely is complex and costly. Therefore, we will not be lowering our fees as we are dedicated to delivering excellent education.
I am an overseas student. What are my options if my government advises that it is not safe to travel to the UK, even though UK government advice is
If you are unable to travel to the UK to commence your studies, you will be able to defer your place to the following year.
I am an overseas student and will need a visa to study in the UK but visa centres are currently closed. What can I do?
You can keep up-to-date with relevant immigration information for international students by referring to Imperial College London’s webpages for International Students. You can also submit your queries to the International Student Support team through this form.
When is the latest date I can decide whether or not to accept my offer?
If you’ve received an offer, you have 28 days to consider and respond. If you don’t meet this deadline, your offer will be marked as ‘withdrawn’. If this has happened to you and you now wish to accept your offer, you can email the admissions team on medicine.pg.admissions@imperial.ac.uk as soon as possible to ask about reinstating your offer.
I am still considering whether to accept my offer and cannot pay the deposit. What are my options?
If your offer has a deposit payment condition and you’re applying for funding – or unsure if you’ll be able to take up your place – you can request an extension to the deposit deadline by emailing tuition.fees@imperial.ac.uk. These requests will be subject to departmental approval.
I am keen to accept my offer but this is pending funding for which I am currently applying. What are my options?
If your offer has a deposit payment condition and you’re applying for funding, you can request an extension to the deposit deadline by emailing tuition.fees@imperial.ac.uk. These requests will be subject to departmental approval.
My offer is conditional on my passing an English language test but I am struggling to arrange a test, as many centres have closed.
If you have been asked to demonstrate your English language proficiency as part of your offer conditions, we may be able to verify your test results online if you have taken the following tests:
- IELTS: please email your Test Report Form Number or a scanned copy of your certificate to the relevant Admissions team.
- Pearson: please submit your scores to Imperial via your PearsonPTE account.
- TOEFL: you email your 16 digit registration number or a scanned copy of your certificate to the relevant Admissions team. Please ensure that you quote your CID number in your email.
- Cambridge Advanced and Proficiency Tests: email your certificate and statement of results to the relevant Admissions team.
- Duolingo English Test: We will accept the Duolingo English test with scores between 115-125 (or 110-120 for entry to our Pre-sessional English programme). Please see below for more information on the grades we accept:
- Entry Requirement for the six-week online Pre-sessional English Programme where your main programme has an English condition at the standard level: 110
- Entry Requirement for the six-week online Pre-sessional English Programme where your main programme has an English condition at the higher level: 120
- Entry Requirement where you main programme has an English condition at the standard level: 115
- Entry Requirement where you main programme has an English condition at the higher level: 125
- LanguageCert International ESOL Test: We will accept the LanguageCert International ESOL test. Please see the table below for more information on the grades we accept:
- Entry Requirement for the six-week online Pre-sessional English Programme where you main programme has an English condition at the higher level – LanguageCert ESOL B2: High Pass
- English condition at the standard level – LanguageCert ESOL B2: High Pass
- English condition at the higher level – LanguageCert ESOL C1 or LanguageCert ESOL C2: Pass
- Imperial Online Pre-sessional English programme: Our six-week online Pre-sessional English programme is aimed at applicants who need to fulfil their English language entry requirement.
- An online three-week programme is also available for applicants who already meet the English language requirement but who would benefit from additional tuition before starting their course.
- Please note that the Pre-sessional English programme cannot be undertaken by offer holders to the Business School due to their earlier start dates.
If you have completed an alternative English language qualification that we accept, please email a copy to the appropriate relevant Admissions team.
While there is not normally a deadline to submit your English language proficiency tests, this condition of your offer must be fulfilled in time for you to start your studies.
How do I find accommodation in London?
Please refer to Imperial webpages under Accommodation for advice on how to find accommodation in our Halls of Residence or privately.
How do I apply?
Details of how to apply for postgraduate programmes at Imperial can be found on the College study pages.