Life at Imperial as a Physics Student: A Well-Rounded Experience

By Maanas Kishorekumar Bysani

Introduction: More Than Just Equations and Labs

Studying physics at Imperial College London is both exhilarating and demanding. Even

before I arrived, I was made aware of long hours of lectures and endless problem

sheets—what I didn’t anticipate was the incredible variety of opportunities beyond

academics. From cutting-edge research to intense squash training and late-night

discussions on prosthetic limbs in the common room, Imperial offers an environment where

you’re constantly challenged but also supported.

Academics: The Core of the Imperial Experience

Lectures and Problem Classes

The physics curriculum is rigorous and math-heavy. Each week, we have lectures covering

core and elective module content. Imperial’s physics course is known for being significantly

more advanced than those at other universities. For example, we learn Fourier analysis in

the first year, while most other universities introduce it in the second year. The course moves

quickly, and while most lecturers are brilliant, there will always be the occasional one whose

teaching style doesn’t align with your learning style. Regardless, the course demands

several hours of independent study per hour of guided learning.

Tutorials, held in small groups of five students per academic, provide an excellent

opportunity to reinforce concepts. These sessions go beyond coursework, allowing students to explore modern research and see how the principles we learn are applied in real-world scientific advancements. The emphasis is on figuring things out yourself—and as a group—a crucial skill for both research and industry.

We also have seminars, where small groups of students work on physics problem sheets

together under the guidance of teaching assistants. These problems are more research-

focused rather than purely exam-based, giving us the chance to apply classroom concepts

to practical scenarios.

Additionally, there are group projects throughout the degree, which, along with tutorials and

seminars, provide a great way to meet new people and make new friends!

Labs and Computing

Lab work at Imperial is a mix of excitement and frustration. Some experiments are mind-

blowing—like measuring the absorption spectrum of rubidium or the thickness of a soap

bubble’s wall—while others involve debugging malfunctioning equipment that we barely have experience with. It’s a real test of patience and creative problem-solving.

That being said, the labs are incredibly well-designed and well-maintained. The equipment is modern, almost everything is digital-friendly, and the lab technicians are second to

none—they know every detail about the instruments and are always willing to help.

Computing is also a major part of the course, with Python as the primary language for

simulations and data analysis. Even if you start with little coding experience, by the end of

the first year, you’ll have a solid grasp of computational physics. There are further opportunities to improve, such as the second-year computing project, where you build a

numerical simulation for a real-life physics experiment.

Exams and Assessments

Exams at Imperial are tough and often stressful. The questions don’t just test

memorization—they push you to apply multiple concepts in innovative ways. While this can

be daunting, it ultimately makes you a better physicist. After all, real-world scientific

problems rarely rely on just a single equation; sometimes, inspiration from thermodynamics

is needed to solve a quantum physics problem.

The revision period is intense, but the support from peers and tutors helps tremendously.Tutors remain responsive even during the Easter vacation/study break. In the first two years, we also had Helpdesk sessions, where senior students—third years, fourth years, master students, and PhDs—would assist with problem sheets and concepts.

Beyond Academics: Balancing Work and Play

Sports and Fitness

Imperial has a strong sports culture, and I’ve personally been heavily involved in the squash

team, playing for the first team. Training sessions and matches provide a great break from

studying, and the competitive atmosphere keeps my mind sharp. We also travel for

tournaments, which have been an amazing way to bond with teammates—some of my

closest friends today are my squash teammates!

Since the team is open to the entire university, I’ve had the opportunity to play with and get

to know PhDs, postdocs, professors, and more.

Even if you’re not into competitive sports, there are plenty of ways to stay active. The gym is

well-equipped, and there are several recreational sports opportunities—I’ve tried ultimate

frisbee and badminton just for fun.

Student Societies and Networking

There’s a society for everything at Imperial; some examples:

Physics Society organizes weekly talks from Imperial researchers, guest professors,

and alumni who have transitioned into fields like finance and consulting. These

events provide valuable insights into career paths beyond academia.

Professional societies like Investment Society, Finance Society, and Consulting

Society host events throughout the year, including networking sessions, exclusive

office visits, case study walkthroughs, technical workshops, and mock interviews.

These are fantastic for anyone considering a career beyond physics.

Cultural and hobby societies are also popular—whether it's Mahjong, Padel, Origami,

or Indian Society, there's something for everyone.

Social Life and Making Friends

Despite the demanding coursework, there’s always time to socialize—the workload is as

much as you make of it. There will always be another problem sheet to work on, but

ultimately, you decide when and how hard you want to study.

I have friends who are purely academic and rarely attend social events, while others barely

open their notes until revision period. Personally, I find a balanced approach works best—I

keep up with lectures and review problem sheets weekly, but I solve them in detail during the revision period because that’s what works for me.

Imperial has a reputation for being "all work, no fun," but that’s far from the truth. There are

regular socials, pub nights, and cultural events where you meet students from different

departments.

In first year, my flatmates and I often cooked together, and even though we don’t live

together anymore, we still meet biweekly. I also spend a lot of time with my best friends from

physics—we go out for monthly group dinners as a reward for our hard work.

As mentioned earlier, the various group projects and activities also provide great

opportunities to meet new people throughout the degree.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Life as a physics student at Imperial is challenging but incredibly rewarding. You’re

constantly pushed to think critically, manage your time well, and step out of your comfort

zone. While the workload is intense, the friendships, experiences, and opportunities make it

all worthwhile.

If you’re considering Imperial, my advice is: embrace the challenge, get involved beyond

academics, and make the most of the experience—you won’t realize what you had until it’s

gone!