New Engineering and Science Program at
Imperial College, University of London
Melody Knutson, EAP Regional Director
Professional opportunities in engineering are increasingly global, making it highly likely that graduates of UC engineering programs will work on an international level at some point during their professional lives. In that context, experience abroad is enormously valuable to our students’ future careers.
Starting in the fall of 2008, EAP inaugurates a study abroad program for dedicated UC engineering and earth sciences students at the University of London, Imperial College. One of the premier science and technology universities in Europe, Imperial College is consistently rated in the top three UK university institutions. Imperial’s international reputation for excellence in teaching and research attracts high-quality students and faculty. Distinguished former members of the institution include 14 Nobel Laureates.
The prestige of Imperial College, coupled with its breadth of engineering and science course offerings, make this program particularly desirable and accessible to engineering and science majors who, due in part to the highly structured nature of their degree programs, tend to be underrepresented on EAP. By offering a wide range of major courses and technical electives that articulate well across the various engineering and science subfields, the program allows increased participation on EAP without lengthening time to degree. UC students on the program will enroll in Imperial College departments and study alongside British and other international students for an academic year.
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In addition to the academic opportunities, students will also benefit professionally from attending Imperial College and living in London for a period of time. Many large structural and civil engineering firms have offices in London, and having experience in London and at Imperial College would certainly augment the résumé of any of our students seeking employment with these firms.
UC has long been interested in establishing a program at Imperial College, but only recently had the institution been receptive to a UC-wide agreement. Exchange negotiations benefited from a visit of Imperial College faculty and administrators to several UC campuses in the spring of 2006. EAP hopes that the exchange of students between engineering departments may also serve to increase collaborative research ties between faculty at both institutions.
Imperial College was established in 1907 through the merger of the Royal College of Science, the City and Guilds College, and the Royal School of Mines. Imperial currently enrolls some 11,000 students, two-thirds of whom are undergraduates. Academic and research staff number approximately 2,600.
Imperial College has its main campus, which includes the engineering and most of the natural sciences departments, in South Kensington, central London. South Kensington is home to three major national museums: the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are a five-minute walk away. Chelsea and the King’s Road, Piccadilly Circus, and the West End are a few stops away by bus or subway.
Please urge students interested in the Imperial College program to explore the EAP website before the upcoming application deadline.