MIT-Imperial College London Academic Exchange

More Information on the MIT-Imperial College London Academic Exchange

Imperial is the only university in the UK to focus exclusively on science, engineering, medicine and business. Consistently rated amongst the world's best research universities, Imperial is committed to developing the next generation of researchers, scientists and academics across disciplines. Located in the heart of London, Imperial is a multidisciplinary space for education, research, commercialization and harnessing science and innovation to take global challenges.

MIT students on the exchange will be studying at Imperial for the equivalent of MIT’s fall or spring semester.

Fall Semester Dates: Late September to Mid-December

Spring Semester Dates: Beginning of January to end of June

We recommend verifying start and end dates directly with Imperial: Imperial academic calendar.

Exchange for Course 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, and 18 majors. Applicants to the Exchange need to be:

In good academic standing
In good judicial standing
Have a 4.3 GPA or above
Up to date with the Communication Requirement
Up to date with the HASS courses

Contact MISTI if you have questions about your particular situation.

Complete your application for the exchange through the MISTI Portal, including academic recommendation.
Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed by MISTI and your department. You may be invited to a ~30 minute informal interview. Following the interview, you will receive a decision on your application and be given two weeks to confirm your space on the program.

Here is a full list of Imperial Courses: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/

Academics:

Students take most courses (modules) from their host department.
There is the option to also take courses from the Business department.
There are very limited HASS offerings (usually not credit-bearing).

Spring Semester - Junior Year:

MIT students attend Imperial during Imperial’s Spring (January to mid-March) and Summer (April to mid-June) terms (Imperial College has a three-term academic year) - in the corresponding department at Imperial College London.

During Imperial's "Spring" term (January to mid-March), MIT students engage in four academic subjects drawn from the Imperial department's 3rd- or 4th-year lecture course curricula, providing MIT P/F credit for four core- and/or restricted-elective subjects in the major. During Imperial's "Summer" term (April to mid-June), MIT students continue on some academic lecture course requirements, but mostly study for comprehensive final examinations in each of the lecture courses undertaken, the examinations are held in May or in June. Academic assessment is based almost entirely on the results of these final examinations.

Imperial is committed to offering UROP-like experiences whenever possible.

Academic Year - Junior Year:

MIT students who attend Imperial for the academic year begin with Imperial’s “Autumn” term, early October through 3rd week of December, and continue studies during Imperial’s Spring (January to mid-March) and Summer (April to mid-June) terms. Students take four subjects in the “Autumn” term, drawing from the department’s 3rd or 4th-year lecture course curricula, providing MIT P/F credit for four core and/or restricted elective subjects towards the major. Students will take comprehensive final exams at the end of the academic year for subjects from the Autumn and Spring terms.

Fall Semester - Junior Year:

MIT students who attend Imperial for the academic year begin with Imperial’s “Autumn” term, early October through 3rd week of December. Students take four subjects in the “Autumn” term, drawing from the department’s 3rd or 4th-year lecture course curricula, providing MIT P/F credit for four core and/or restricted elective subjects towards the major. Students will take comprehensive final exams at the end of the academic year (the following summer) for subjects from the Autumn terms.

Transfer Credit

Information on the transfer credit process at MIT can be found here.

Cost and funding options

Students admitted to the program will continue to pay MIT tuition for the exchange semester and will pay all their living expenses in London for that semester. A few months before student departure, SFS will share with students the most up-to-date budget for participation on the Exchange, developed in coordination with the host university. MIT financial aid is portable for this program.

Admitted students who receive financial aid should make an appointment with the financial aid representative to whom they are assigned to discuss the particulars. We recommend bringing your study abroad budget to the meeting.

Imperial College London's International Office will arrange student accommodations for you near the South Kensington Campus (within a 30 min commute; subject to change).

MIT students are often placed in housing with first year students because, after the first year, UK students often find housing off-campus.

Students who study in the UK for six months or less need a Short-term study visa; however, US citizens do not need to submit an application in advance. The short-term study visa is granted at the port of entry (UK airport) by a UK immigration officer upon review of an admission letter and financial solvency documents.

Students who study in the UK for longer than six months need to apply for a Tier 4 study visa before departure to the UK (process can take 2-3 months).

Non-US citizens should consult with the MIT International Student Office about reentry to the US after study abroad.

More details in the visa process https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/international-students/visas-and-immigration/applying-for-a-student-visa-overseas/