Hello! My name is Matthew from Hong Kong. I recently finished my MSc in Engineering Fluid Mechanics for the Offshore, Coastal and Built Environments. Before Imperial, I had completed my bachelor’s in civil engineering from Swansea University. I am one of the course representatives of my cohort.
Why did you decide to do an MSc with us?
I will be telling a lie if I say the rankings have no effect on my decision, however, Imperial College offers much more than that. Pioneering researches, renowned professors, World-class laboratories and a high employment rate after graduation are all factors contributing to the decision.
What does a typical week look like for you?
Typically, lectures are spread over 4 days every week leaving one weekday and the weekend free. Lectures start from 9/10 am or 1/2 pm and can last up to three hours. Despite the busy schedule, I try to give myself half a day or a day to relax.
What advice would you give someone considering doing an MSc with us?
Time management for a good work-life balance is key at Imperial. Studying at Imperial is not easy, and it requires dedication in terms of time and hard work. It is easy to “lose yourselves” in coursework and miss out on other opportunities, and it is certain that you will need some rest at some point. Oh, and good luck!
What has been the most challenging part of the programme?
It must be the adaptation period to the “IC Tempo”. Quite the slope for me and maybe some of you I’m afraid, but worth the effort I would say (Now that I’m done).
Our community in numbers*
Our academics
- 50+ full-time academic staff
- 20 part-time, honorary and visiting
- 50+ research staff
- 40+ Professional Services and Technicians staff
Our student population
- 225 PhD students
67% male; 33% female
48 nationalities - 314 MSc students
61% male; 39% female
53 nationalities - 367 Undergraduates
71% male; 29% female
45 nationalities - Total 906 students
67% male; 33% female
* all numbers are approximate
Measures of success
Research Assessment Exercise
- REF 2021. 75% of research assessed to be 4* (highest rating), 25% assessed to be 3*.
QS World Universities rankings
- Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 6th (2021); 6th (2020); 6th (2019); 3rd (2018)
The Times Higher Education world ranking
- Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 4th (2021); 11th (2020); 12th (2019)
National Student Survey
- Overall Satisfaction, 92% (2022), 90% (2021); 78% (2020); 88% (2019)