‌‌Welcome and Freshers’ Week

College Registration

You must enrol online before arriving on campus.  College ID cards can be collected from the Student Office, Level 3, Blackett Laboratory or handed out in the halls of accommodation on arrival if you are staying in halls.  If you haven’t uploaded your photo, you will need to go to the ID card office, Level 1, Shefield Building, where they will take your photo and either send it to the department for you to collect or give it to you directly.  More information can be found on the College ID.  If you have already done an undergraduate or masters course at Imperial, please note that you will need to give your old card in to the ID Card office to be able to obtain the new one.

The PGR Welcome is here for your perusal. The slides for the talk are also available PGR Welcome talk.

Departmental Registration

The timetable Freshers’ Week is slightly different for each student and varies from section to section.  You should have received the information on where to go from your section Administrator.  There is more information on Welcome week.

Departmental Welcome events

There are Welcome events for PG students which will take place mainly in the first week of term.  The main one to include in your calendar is on Wednesday, 9th October 2024 from 2:00 p.m. 

English Language Requirements for PhD Students

After fulfilling the English language entry requirement for admission, all doctoral students that did not do their full undergraduate in the U.K. must fulfil the Imperial College London Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement.

The goal of the Centre for Academic English is to ensure you develop both the ability and the confidence to excel as a communicator during your doctoral research and  beyond.  From the very beginning of your research and all the way through, we’re here to help you realise your potential.  

To achieve this, we’ve designed a flexible academic STEMM communication programme for doctoral students. In the early stages of your research, you can join our sessions which provide the foundations of accurate and appropriate written communication for STEMM research. Our technical speaking courses provide you with practical training in successful oral communication, helping you prepare for early-stage presentations and your viva. By using our online resources you can create your own personalised self-study learning pathway. As you build your pathway, you‘ll have the freedom to select the communication resources you need whenever you need them. www.imperial.ac.uk/academic-english/

The Imperial College London Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement (DACR)

The full requirement can be seen at Imperial College London Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement (DACR) | Administration and support services | Imperial College London

Induction checklist for research students

Here are some things you should know. If you don't know, just ask. A good starting point for information is your community secretary/administrator.

People

  • Research secretary/administrator
  • Research Community Postgraduate academic mentor
  • Research Community Safety Officer
  • Postgraduate Tutor
  • Postgraduate Student Representatives
  • Postgraduate Office Support Staff

Domestic (on Campus)

  • Familiarise yourselves with the current College COVID guidance.
  • Location of toilets
  • Location of local common rooms, local arrangements for tea and coffee etc.
  • Details of local security measures, including provision of your security card
  • Opening and closing hours of building and access
  • Where/when smoking is allowed; the College’s policy
  • How to dispose of or recycle items

Working environment

  • Location and correct use of common telephones, photocopiers, printers, etc.
  • How to get a Computer account and email address
  • Correct postal address for mail to reach you during your course
  • Local arrangements for picking up and sending internal and external post
  • Local arrangement for provision of stationery and every-day consumables
  • My Imperial

Health and safety

  • Location of emergency exits
  • Details of the emergency procedures, evacuation routes and assembly points
  • Location of the first-aid box and the identity of your local first-aiders
  • Location and operation of the fire alarm system
  • Location of fire extinguishers
  • Procedures to be observed in case of a fire
  • Details of any significant safety hazards or health risks in your working environment
  • Disposal of waste

View the Faculty health and safety webpages.

Facilities

Contact Vivienne Frater physics-facilities-office@imperial.ac.uk  for more information about facilities in the Department.

Other

Back to the postgraduate research student handbook