Frequently asked questions

To enrol on the programme you must:

• be 16 or 17 years old before the start of your programme
• not turn 18 years old before or during your programme

Our English language qualification requirements are in line with those for undergraduate programmes at Imperial. The College's English language requirements are at the Standard Level. If you are unsure, or yours is not covered, please contact us. When completing your application form please indicate in your personal statement whether English is your native language, whether you are taught in English at school, or whether you hold an English language qualification. 

For more information about visa requirements, please visit coming to the UK as a visitor.

If you are travelling from overseas to the Global Summer School, you may require an invitation letter from us. Once your place is confirmed on the programme, we can arrange to send this to you. If you have further questions about applying for a visa for the programme, please contact us after your place has been confirmed on the programme to request this. 

We require at least eight subjects in Key Stage 4.

If you have achieved any formal qualifications in the last one to two years, please list all of these (e.g. GCSEs). If you do not have any formal qualifications, please list your most recent class grades, indicating that these are class grades in the ‘qualification type’ section. Additionally, if you have any predicted grades for the subjects you are currently studying, please list these. Providing detailed information about your qualifications will ensure that your application can be assessed quickly by the Global Summer School Team.

If travelling from outside the UK, please ensure that you bring the following documentation:

• Medical insurance
• Visa and guardian permission to travel: Some students will require a visa to enter the UK. For more information about visas, please visit coming to the UK as a visitor
• Passport: We require an up-to-date copy of your passport on file in case of emergencies

Applications will open in early 2025. Please register your interest to be kept informed. 

We look first at whether applicants meet the age, English language and academic requirements of the programme. We will then read the applicant's personal statement and teacher's reference. Once applicants have been scored against these five categories, we will finally consider the mix of nationalities and best fit of applicants across the subjects before making an offer.

Please ensure that you read and follow the step-by-step application guidance before you start your application. These instructions are very detailed and should answer your questions as you complete the application form. If you have read through the guidance thoroughly and you still have questions, then please contact the Global Summer School team at globalsummerschool@imperial.ac.uk.

You are not able to make changes to your application once it has been submitted so it is important that you have completed all fields with the required information.

If you have made a mistake on your application, or require changes, please contact the Global Summer School team for advice.

Once you have submitted your application, we will contact you by email within 10 working days to tell you the outcome of your application.

If you receive a conditional offer you must upload your supporting documents within seven days. Once you have uploaded your documents and these have been checked, you will receive an unconditional offer within five working days.

Once you have your unconditional offer you must make full payment of the course fee within 14 days to confirm your place. Please note, the payment deadline will reduce to seven days later in the application process.

We can provide visa letters to help you with your application, however, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are applying for the correct visa and have all the necessary documentation ready to submit.

If you have not yet submitted your application, please log in to the application system, select your application and click the blue cross in the ‘Withdraw’ column next to your application. If you have submitted your application, please contact us so that we can withdraw your application for you.

During the application process you will be asked to provide your first and second choice of subject, and if you can attend either session. If we are unable to offer you a place on your first choice option then we will hopefully be able to offer you a place on your second choice if you meet all requirements. You will have the option to accept or decline this offer.

Yes. The fee for the 2025 programme is still to be confirmed. More information about what is included in the programme fee can be found on our fees page.

Imperial College London is committed to supporting the brightest students regardless of background. If you are a UK applicant, find out more about free programmes run by our Outreach team. 

To confirm your place, you will need to make full payment the tuition fee within 14 days of receiving your unconditional offer. Please note, this may decrease to seven days later in the application cycle. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any discounts, scholarships, bursaries or financial assistance to cover the costs of the programme.

If you apply by mid-February we may be able to agree on a payment plan. Instalment payments are non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation period for each payment. Please bear in mind that your place will not be confirmed until payment is received in full.

You are able to cancel your confirmed place within 14 days, after this time the programme fee is not refundable. 

Contents and healthcare insurance is not included in the programme fee. We strongly recommend that all participants take out full travel insurance to cover the duration of the programme. Students travelling from outside the UK should ensure that this includes comprehensive medical cover. 

All students stay in twin en-suite bedrooms in our Prince’s Gardens hall of residence on campus. 

No, all bedrooms are en-suite and include: 

• Bed linen 
• Towels 
• Kettle with tea and coffee 
• Shampoo, shower gel and moisturiser 
• Hairdryers can be hired for a £10.00 refundable deposit. 

Yes, there is a laundry room located in the basement of Prince’s Gardens which are operated using a mobile app.

You are required to live on-campus in our halls of residence for the duration of the Global Summer School. The programme has a full academic and social schedule and you will be busy for most of the day and evening. Therefore, we cannot grant permission for students to leave and return during the programme.

We ask that you do not make arrangements to see friends and family during the programme. We have large numbers of students attending and a packed schedule of events across a range of different locations. This makes it very difficult to coordinate meeting times/sites and to keep track of students who depart from the group.

Students are welcome to stay in the UK with family or friends after the programme ends. Unfortunately, the Global Summer School team cannot offer students accommodation before or after the programme. Imperial College do have summer accommodation options that can be pre-booked online, although persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please note that if you choose to extend your stay, you do so at your own expense and there is no supervision from the Global Summer School team after the date of departure. It is also the students’ responsibility to ensure their visa, insurance and any other documentation is valid for the remainder of their stay.