20 Imperial College London Interview Questions and Answers

Imperial College London is a world-renowned university with a reputation for excellence in science, engineering, medicine and business. If you’re lucky enough to land an interview with this prestigious institution, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Imperial College London interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence.

Imperial College London Interview Process

The interview process at Imperial College London can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will involve a mix of technical and competency-based questions. For PhD positions, you may also be required to submit a research proposal or project as part of the application process. Overall, the interview process is generally quick and efficient, with most candidates hearing back within 6-8 weeks.

1. What would you say is your biggest strength and weakness?

This question is a classic interview question that allows you to highlight your strengths and weaknesses in an honest way. When answering this question, it’s important to be as specific as possible about both the strength and weakness so the interviewer can get a clear picture of what they are.

Example: “My biggest strength is my ability to work well with others. I have always been someone who enjoys collaborating with others on projects and assignments because I find that working together often leads to better results than working alone. My biggest weakness is that sometimes I am too trusting of people. While I believe most people are good, there are some who take advantage of me. In the future, I plan to be more cautious when dealing with new people.”

2. Tell me about a time when you were faced with a challenge, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential future colleague and how they handle challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you faced a challenge at work or school and overcame it.

Example: “When I was in my first year of college, I had an assignment due the next day that I hadn’t started yet. I stayed up all night working on it, but still turned it in late. My professor gave me a zero for turning it in late, which made me feel disappointed. However, I went back to my professor after class and explained what happened. He understood and let me redo the assignment.”

3. How would you go about solving this problem (a specific technical problem)?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills. It also allows you to show the interviewer how you would apply your knowledge and experience to solve a real-world issue.

Example: “I would first gather all of the information I needed about the problem, including what data was available and what resources were at my disposal. Then, I would analyze the situation and come up with several possible solutions. After that, I would evaluate each solution based on its cost, time and potential for success. Finally, I would implement the best solution.”

4. Can you tell us what you know about Imperial College London?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your research skills and determine whether you have any knowledge of their university. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some facts about Imperial College London that you learned from your research or by speaking with someone who attended the school.

Example: “I know that Imperial College London was founded in 1907 as The Royal College of Science by Prince Albert. It’s one of four colleges within the University of London and has over 20,000 students enrolled. I also know that Imperial College London is ranked among the top universities in the world.”

5. Do you have any experience working in academia?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the experience and skills necessary for this role. If you do, be sure to highlight how your previous work has prepared you for this position.

Example: “I’ve worked as an adjunct professor at my local community college for three years now. I love working with students in a classroom setting because it allows me to help them develop their critical thinking skills while also helping them understand complex concepts. In my current role, I’ve helped many of my students achieve higher GPAs and gain admission into competitive universities.”

6. Why do you want to work at Imperial College London?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their organization. When you answer, it’s important to show that you’ve done some research on the university and understand what makes it unique. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any specific skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I want to work at Imperial College London because I’m passionate about science and technology. Your institution is known for its excellent STEM programs, which is why I earned my degree in physics. I would love to continue working with innovative thinkers who are dedicated to making the world a better place.”

7. Describe yourself as an employee.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your best qualities as well as any skills that might help you succeed at the job.

Example: “I am an extremely hard worker who is always willing to go above and beyond for my employer. I have excellent time management skills and work well under pressure. I also enjoy collaborating with others and helping them achieve their goals.”

8. Have you done research on the topic that we are hiring for?

This question is a great way to see if you have done your research on the position and the university. It also allows you to show that you are passionate about the topic, which can be an important quality in a researcher. When preparing for this question, make sure you read through the job description thoroughly and look at any publications or projects from the department.

Example: “I did some research on the topic of nanotechnology while applying for this position. I found out that Imperial College London has been doing extensive research on this topic for quite some time now. I am very interested in working with such a prestigious institution and would love to continue the work that they have already started.”

9. You are going to be working on a team of researchers, can you describe your experience with teamwork?

Teamwork is an important skill to have in a research environment. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork experience and how you can contribute to the team at Imperial College London. To answer, think of a time when you worked on a project with others and describe what made it successful.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in science, so I started volunteering at my local museum where I learned about different types of fossils. My volunteer work led me to apply for a summer internship at a paleontology lab where I got to work alongside other researchers. We were all working toward the same goal of finding new fossils, which helped us collaborate well. In fact, we found some really interesting fossils that are now displayed at the museum.”

10. In our lab, you may come across a situation where you disagree with other members’ approaches or methods, how would you deal with it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to resolve a disagreement with others in the workplace.

Example: “In my previous role as a research scientist, I was working on a project that required me to work with other scientists from different departments. One day, one of the researchers came up to me and asked if we could change our method for collecting data because they thought their approach would be more effective. I explained why we were using that particular method and how it fit into the overall process of the project. They agreed to continue using the method until the end of the week when we would reassess its effectiveness.”

11. Are you willing to relocate if necessary?

Imperial College London is a large university with campuses in both London and Surrey. The school may ask this question to determine if you’re willing to relocate for the job. If you are, be sure to explain why relocating would be beneficial for you. If you aren’t willing to relocate, it’s important to emphasize that you can work effectively from a distance.

Example: “I’m happy to relocate if necessary. I’ve moved several times throughout my career, so I know how to prepare for a move. I also understand that moving to a new city or state could be challenging, but I’m confident that I can adapt quickly. I think I’d enjoy living in London because of its rich history and culture.”

12. If you had all the resources available, where would you like to see your research take place?

This question is a great way to see how much you know about the university and its facilities. It also allows you to show your enthusiasm for research and what you hope to accomplish in this position.

Example: “I would love to work with other researchers at the National Physical Laboratory, as I have heard that it’s one of the most advanced laboratories in the world. I think it would be amazing to collaborate on projects there and learn from some of the best minds in science.”

13. How do you think your skills will contribute to the position?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the position and understand what skills are needed for success. When answering this question, make sure to highlight specific skills from the job description and how they relate to your own abilities.

Example: “I think my communication skills will be an asset to this position because I am used to speaking in front of large groups and can explain complex concepts in ways that are easy to understand. My ability to work well with others will also help me contribute to this team as I know it’s important to collaborate with other professionals to achieve goals.”

14. Give examples of situations where you showed integrity in the workplace.

Integrity is a key value for Imperial College London, and the interviewer may ask this question to assess your personal values. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example that shows how you upheld integrity in a professional setting.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project with another employee who had been there longer than me. One day, they asked me to take over their work while they took a break. I agreed, but when they returned from their break, I told them I would finish up the rest of the project so they could leave early. They were grateful, and we both got home at the same time.”

15. Do you enjoy teaching others?

This question can help interviewers determine if you would be a good fit for the teaching assistant position. As a teaching assistant, you will need to have strong communication skills and enjoy working with students. Show your interviewer that you are passionate about helping others learn by sharing an example of a time when you helped someone or a group understand something better.

Example: “I love being able to share my knowledge with others. In my last job as a lab technician, I had a student who was having trouble understanding how to use our equipment. I took them aside after class and showed them how to use it step-by-step. They were so grateful for the extra help and ended up getting an A on their next assignment.”

16. What kind of environment do you thrive in: structured or unstructured?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you might fit in at Imperial College London. Your answer should show that you are adaptable and willing to adjust to different environments.

Example: “I thrive in both structured and unstructured environments, but I find that my best work comes when I have some flexibility with deadlines. For example, when I was working as an intern for a marketing firm, I had very specific tasks each day, but I also had some flexibility within those tasks to complete them in the way that worked best for me.”

17. Have you worked in a deadline-driven environment before?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your ability to work under pressure. When answering, it can be helpful to share an example from your past experience that highlights your ability to meet deadlines and complete projects on time.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing manager for a small business, I was responsible for creating content for our social media accounts and website. This required me to create new posts daily, which meant I had to publish them at least once per day. I learned how to manage this task by planning out my week ahead of time so I could write all of my content in advance.”

18. When was the last time you collaborated with someone who knew more than you?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your ability to work with others and learn from them. Use examples from your past experience that highlight your willingness to collaborate, your ability to ask questions and your eagerness to learn new things.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer at a software company, I worked on a project where we needed to integrate our product with another company’s system. The other company had more experienced engineers than us, so they were able to provide insight into how to best implement our product. I asked many questions about their process and learned a lot from their expertise.”

19. Tell us about a project that you’re proud of, why was it meaningful to you?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re passionate about what you do and how it can benefit others. When answering this question, think of a project or accomplishment that was meaningful because of the impact it had on someone else or society as a whole.

Example: “I’m proud of my work with the local animal shelter where I volunteered for two years. The shelter has an adoption program where volunteers walk dogs in public places to help them get used to being around people so they are more likely to be adopted. My job was to take the dogs out for walks and socialize them. It was important to me that these animals were well-adjusted and ready for their forever homes.”

20. We need people who are flexible in their schedules, can you accommodate that?

Employers want to know that you can work with their team and adjust your schedule when needed. If they ask this question, it’s likely because they’ve had a situation in the past where an employee couldn’t make it into work for one reason or another. In your answer, let them know that you’re flexible and willing to accommodate any changes to your schedule.

Example: “I’m very flexible in my schedule and I understand that sometimes things come up that require us to change our plans. I always try to be as accommodating as possible so that we can get everything done.”