Advantages: Top academic institution, modern, well located.
Disadvantages: Not well linked socially with the rest of the London colleges, not a member of NUS, expensive, high male ratio (non-medical)

...Having completed my first year in medicine, I would have to say that the new Med school comprising of the old St. Mary's and Charing Cross med schools have combined to produce a winner. The course and facilities are very modern, upto date and clear and is based on the GMC's Tomorrow's Doctors new course which is a blend of clinical with pre-clinicals. The medical school has its own very distinct social life away from the rest of Imperial and is certainly very active both within Imperial and on its own. Imperial certainly excels as an academic institution, but some are worried about the social side, especially the boys to girls ratio. For the med school the ratio is 40:60 (Men: Women) so there are no problems there. For the rest of Imperial though, it can be quite dire! But the social scene is overall pretty good. One disadvantage would... Read review

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Advantages: Caters for arts AND sciences, situated in a very central area
Disadvantages: Courses not very competitive, library facilities not good

...I have just completed an MSc. degree in Computing Science (1 year) at Imperial College after having done a joint honour degree in Math and Computing (3 years) at UCL. Having been at 2 different and good universities, I feel that I am able to give a valuable contrasting opinion both. Imperial is a university for the sciences and not the arts. It has an extremely competitive environment (compared to UCL) where most courses are industry-related and students are taught to face the latest technologies and issues in the industrial world. I did not find this at UCL. I found that I was very much learning as a student and not as someone who would be using the knowledge to go out and work in the comercial and industrial world. At Imperial, courses are very up-to-date. You learn about the latest technologies and get to apply the knowledge first... Read review

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Advantages: Courses are very competitive, industry-related, lots of experience and knowledge to be gained
Disadvantages: Situated in a "not-so-central" area, industrial architecture, caters only for the sciences

...I have just completed an MSc. degree in Computing Science (1 year) at Imperial College after having done a joint honour degree in Math and Computing (3 years) at UCL. Having been at 2 different and good universities, I feel that I am able to give a valuable contrasting opinion both. Imperial is a university for the sciences and not the arts. It has an extremely competitive environment (compared to UCL) where most courses are industry-related and students are taught to face the latest technologies and issues in the industrial world. I did not find this at UCL. I found that I was very much learning as a student and not as someone who would be using the knowledge to go out and work in the comercial and industrial world. At Imperial, courses are very up-to-date. You learn about the latest technologies and get to apply the knowledge first... Read review

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Advantages: Social Life, Clubs and Societies are great.
Disadvantages: London can be expensive, you have been warned.

...students, from different departments to mix. The Students Union has recently been refurbished. There are also lots of events, throughtout the year, which are always held on the Mile End Campus site. Campus accommodation is excellent. I stayed out every year. There are lots of accommodation, along the Regents Canal. A room with a view and some rooms also offer ensuite facilities ( e.g. House, Chesney House). You could also choose to live in Central London, London University collegiate halls of residences. Where you can rub shoulders with LSE, Imperial and UCL students. The work load at Queen Mary College is tough, but at the end of the day it is worth it as you end up achieving the London Univeristy label. Which is just behind Cambridge and Oxford. So take my advice and choose Queen Mary College. Not because I say so. Why not go and see... Read review

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Advantages: It is in London, Good Teaching, Well renowned in industry
Disadvantages: High cost of living, hard work required

...I am about to start my second year at Imperial College studying Chemical Engineering. Imperial is constantly ranked in the top 5 universities in the UK in most ranking guides (The others being Oxford Cambridge LSE and UCL). This means that in the business world it is well perceived and this is no more apparent than by the number of relationships it has with various companies. In a nutshell this means that hopefully I can graduate with a degree that will get me a well paid job for a upwardly mobile company. The college has around 10,000 students and is a constituent element of the federal University of London although it enjoys quite a high level of autonomy. Area Imperial is based in the rather affluent district of South Kensington near the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. South ken is a particularly affulent area... Read review

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Advantages: Like minded people, respected degree and London baby!
Disadvantages: Large work load

...Right, here is a guide into what you can expect from Imperial. I have been studying here for two years and have found that there are certainly ups and downs to the university. On the ups, the company (the people that is) is generally first rate. You will meet like mindied people here, that is guaranteed; remember that the majority of students are of comparative intelligence to yourself. The sports and activities front is fantastic with a huge array to keep you going. Remember also that you will be in London baby! I really don't think i'd have survived anywhere else, it's pretty much non-stop if you want that. Imperial is one of the most respected universities in Europe and this keeps you that important foot ahead of other graduates when seeking employment. The downs....well, as you can expect the work load is fairly sizeable shall we say... Read review

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