Imperial College London: International Research Opportunities Programme 2023-24

Programme Overview

The International Research Opportunities Programme (IROP) is an exchange programme which takes place over ~8 weeks in the summer from 1^st July – 23^rd August 2024. Selected undergraduate students work on a research project under the supervision of researchers at Imperial College London. Participants will share the experience with students from other institutions and have the opportunity to explore London and the United Kingdom during the summer. Participants will gain practical research experience in an area of interest whilst experiencing student life at Imperial.

There are a number of IROP places available for TUM students across the Imperial departments below:

Research project

Participants will be matched with a host supervisor at Imperial College London according to interest areas. It is not guaranteed to be matched with a particular supervisor and participants may need to be flexible. Once matched, the research project is planned and carried out independently between the student and supervisor.

Projects will take place on Imperial’s South Kensington or White City campus depending on the research project and host supervisor. The Department of Chemistry is mainly based at White City campus.

Intercultural experience

Students from MIT, the Technical University of Munich, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Cornell University and the University of Toronto will participate in IROP next summer. There will be a social programme, including a welcome afternoon tea, local trip and celebration event, where participants can get to know fellow IROP students and explore London.

Programme dates

Monday 1^st July 2024: IROP begins. Orientation session with the IROP Team, followed by lab induction in the department

During IROP: Organised events as part of the social programme

23^rd August 2024: IROP ends

Variation to these dates will not be possible.

Further information

Watch MIT student Claire’s IROP day in the life vlog.

How To Apply

 Eligibility

• Be fully enrolled as a student at TUM during IROP
• Have completed at least 2,5 years of studies before beginning IROP in July 2024
• Be able to commit to the full duration of the programme 1^st July – 23^rd August
• Any other home institution eligibility criteria

Application Process

There are two stages to the application process: 

1. Selection by TUM → Application deadline: January 15, 2024

Submit the following documents to your Study Abroad Adviser:

• Statement of motivation (research areas/labs of interest, motivation to take part in IROP)
• CV and academic transcript
  
• 3 supervisors of interest who you would like to work with on a research project. Supervisors of interest must be from the Imperial department you have been nominated to. An academic’s online biography page will state if they are based at South Kensington or White City Campus. Please do not contact any academics.
• Language Certificate (English C1)

2. If selected, the Imperial IROP Team will request application documents for project matching

Your application information will be used to match selected students to a suitable host supervisor for a research project. Information about current research areas and potential supervisors can be found under the ‘Research’ tab on the host departments webpage. Follow to link in the table on page 1 for the host department which applies to you. Please note, if you are selected for IROP it is not guaranteed that you will be matched with a chosen supervisor.

Whilst Imperial College London will make every effort, final acceptance to IROP will depend on a suitable supervisor and research project being agreed.

Practical Matters

Accommodation 

Accommodation will be arranged for all participants in student halls of residence. Selected participants will be given further information to book and pay for their room. Participants should expect to commute to either the South Kensington or White City Campus each day – a typical London experience!

Suggested Budget 

Guide only: actual costs will depend on personal preferences and updated costs in 2024.

Covid 19 

Potential impact will be continuously monitored, and adjustments to overseas opportunities may be required at short notice. IROP will follow any UK and international travel advice and restrictions.

Communication

Any questions about nomination to IROP should be directed to Maria Eckholt (NAT-Physics at TUM)

Once selected, participants are then supported by Beth & Laura, the IROP Team at Imperial, who are available to answer questions and provide support during IROP.

IROP Tips  

Ideal participants will be willing to develop skills in proactivity, organisation and independence, which will support you well in preparing to come to London and make the most of the research project.  

Tip from previous participant: ‘To get the most out of the placement requires resilience, adaptability and an open mind as it is probable that things will go wrong or will not be as you had expected. Despite this, I enjoyed every moment of the trip and could not imagine a better way to spend the summer.’