Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine

Imperial College is located in London. It was established in 1907 by Royal Charter ‘to give the highest specialised instruction, and to provide the fullest equipment for the most advanced training and research in various branches of science, especially in its application to industry.’ The College is part of the University of London which is the largest university in the country for full-time students and has many thousands part-time.

The College itself is a federation of four closely linked colleges: the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines, the City and Guilds College and St.Mary ‘s Medical School. All these colleges are working in the broad fields of the physical sciences, the life sciences, the earth sciences, mining, metallurgy and allied subjects, the main branches of engineering, including computing, and medicine.

The reputation of the staff is high. There are Noble Prize winners, Fellows of the Royal Society and Fellows of the Fellowship of Engineering among them.

Imperial College has strong links with both industry and government. Visiting professors and lecturers, industry and government establishments make an important contribution to the more specialized teaching at the College. Industry also provides the College with financial support for certain academic posts, advanced courses, bursaries and scholarships.

There are many departments which provide various study and research programmes for students working for higher degrees (MPhil, MSc or PhD) or on the post-doctoral level. For example, Department of Materials has extensive facilities for the processing and examination of materials. The topics include the following: semiconductors and devices, silicate melts, slags and ashes; metal matrix composites; microstructure and property relationships in alloys; development of new alloys; corrosion and protection, etc. Science and Technology Studies (STS) at Imperial examines the culture of modern science and technology from the perspective of the humanities. Teaching and research emphasise the history, communications and public understanding of science and technology from the origins of the Industrial Revolution to the present.

Students’ life at Imperial College is very interesting. There is a wide range of athletic, social and recreational clubs. All social, cultural and athletic needs of students are provided by the Imperial College Student Union.

(Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, 1993)