If you’re applying for undergraduate study at Imperial College London, understanding what happens after you submit your application is essential. This includes being prepared for possible interviews, knowing how the selection process works, and what to do once results are released. Below is a clear breakdown of each stage.

1. Interviews

Once you’ve submitted your application, including your personal statement, reference and any required admissions test, you might be invited for an interview.

When and how

1. Interviews usually take place between November and February for undergraduate applicants.
2. The format varies by department and applicant situation: you may have a virtual interview or an in-person interview depending on your circumstances and the course applied for.
3. Some courses may also include group tasks or subject-related questions during the interview. For example, one department states: “You will take part in 2 group tasks and a 20-minute interview.”

What they assess

During the interview you will be evaluated on:

1. your motivation for your chosen course,
2. your subject knowledge or logical reasoning in relevant areas (depending on the department),
3. your communication skills, your thinking process, and how you respond under pressure.
4. your ability to articulate your personal statement and show genuine interest in the subject.

Tips to prepare

1. Review your personal statement and be ready to discuss it–why you want to study the course, what you’ve done to prepare, and what you hope to achieve.
2. Practice common interview questions and consider doing mock interviews, especially if your chosen course is highly competitive.
3. Be ready to think aloud–interviewers may ask you to reason through a problem or explain your thought process.
4. For group tasks: work on active listening, contributing ideas clearly, and showing teamwork skills.
5. Be yourself. The interview is also for you to check whether the course and university are a good fit.

2. Selection Process

After you’ve applied (and possibly been interviewed), your application goes through a selection process.

Key elements of selection

1. Academic qualifications and whether you meet or are predicted to meet the course’s entry requirements.
2. Performance in any required admissions tests (if applicable).
3. Your personal statement and reference: these allow your application to show who you are beyond grades.
4. Interview (if required by the department).
5. For eligible UK applicants, contextual admissions may apply (where factors like background or opportunity are taken into account) to support fair selection.

When you’ll hear back

1. The university aims to make application decisions by late March for undergraduate courses (for the rest of the UK application cycle) so you should be able to check your status via UCAS.
2. You can track progress via the UCAS Hub.

What happens next

If you receive an offer, it may be conditional (pending your results) or unconditional (if you’ve already met the conditions). Departments then wait for your actual results before final confirmation.

3. Results and What Comes After

After your exam results are released, the next stage is to submit them (if required) and check your status with Imperial College London.

What to do when you receive your results

1. If you meet the conditions of your offer, your place will be confirmed through UCAS. You should see your UCAS status change to “Unconditional Firm (UF)”.
2. If you do not meet the conditions, Imperial may still review your application, but this is not guaranteed.
3. If you’re eligible via contextual admissions and did not initially receive an offer, you might have been invited to the “reconsideration pool”. (Check the eligibility and deadlines)

Key deadlines and rules

1. You must send verification of your results by the deadlines stipulated in your offer.
2. If your results are changed via appeal and you meet the conditions, you must inform the Admissions team by the relevant deadline (for example: up to 31 August) for consideration.
3. If your status remains “Conditional” because results have not yet been sent or verified, keep your contact details updated and monitor your UCAS Hub and email.

After your place is confirmed

Once your place is confirmed:

1. Imperial will contact you with information about registration, accommodation, and how to join the university.
2. If you will need a student visa (for overseas applicants), you will receive details about the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and other steps.
3. If you wish to defer your entry (start a year later) you must apply for that specifically; it is not automatically granted.

Conclusion

Applying to Imperial College London involves more than just submitting your application. By preparing well for an interview (if invited), understanding how the selection process works, and knowing what to do when your results arrive, you’ll be ready for each step. Start early, check your condition deadlines, and stay responsive to any communications from the university. With good preparation and clarity you’ll be in a strong position.

References

1. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/process/interviews/
2. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/process/selection/
3. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/process/results/