Imperial College London, Research university in South Kensington, England
Imperial College London is a research university in South Kensington, England, with its main campus located near several major museums in the neighborhood. The sprawling complex spans four locations across the British capital, where modern laboratory buildings stand alongside Victorian facades and open courtyards connect individual faculty structures.
The institution was formed in 1907 through the merger of the Royal College of Science, Royal School of Mines, and City and Guilds College under King Edward VII. For decades it remained part of the University of London system, until it became fully independent in 2007 and developed its own teaching programs.
Students from more than 140 countries bring a cosmopolitan atmosphere to campus life, visible in cafeterias, libraries, and common spaces throughout the day. Research teams from different fields often work side by side in the same buildings, so you might see physicists next to medics or engineers beside biologists.
The main campus lies between Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road, making it easy to reach on foot from South Kensington station. Some buildings are open to the public, especially during lecture events or open days, while other areas remain reserved for students and staff only.
The institution became the official home of the Huxley Collection of biological specimens, which contains more than 80,000 items dating from the 19th century and remains in use for research purposes. It also houses the largest central computing facility of any British university, running simulations for climate models and medical studies.
Location: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Inception: 1907
Founders: Edward VII
Operator: Imperial College London
Address: Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ
Phone: +442075895111
Website: https://imperial.ac.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.49831,-0.17688
Latest update: December 3, 2025 06:51
This collection brings together 50 universities from four continents, among the best known in the world. You can find institutions that were founded centuries ago, with campuses full of history, next to research centers working on future technologies. These places host students, researchers, and teachers from all over the world. This creates a lively environment that often spills over into nearby neighborhoods. In Oxford and Cambridge, medieval colleges line cobbled streets where students ride bikes. In Boston, the brick buildings of Harvard and the modern labs of MIT run along the Charles River. In California, Stanford sets up its arcades under the sun, while in Zurich, ETH watches over the city from above. In Singapore, the tropical campus blends into the thick greenery of the island. Each university leaves its mark on the cityscape, drawing visitors with its architecture, history, or just curiosity to see these places where part of today’s thinking forms.
Science Museum
175 m
Geological Museum
256 m
Queen's Tower
35 m
Holy Trinity Church, South Kensington
234 m
Queen's Lawn
36 m
Memorial to the Great Exhibition
234 m
Data Science Institute
82 m
Imperial College Halls of Residence
228 m
Skempton Building
76 m
Dalby Court
116 m
Goethe-Institut London
240 m
Huxley Building
171 m
Sherfield Walkway
113 m
Royal School of Mines
182 m
Roderic Hill Building
166 m
Beit Quadrangle
221 m
Imperial College Business School
175 m
City and Guilds Building
153 m
Steps And Balustrades To Southern Part Of Memorial Of The 1851 Exhibition
195 m
Sherfield Building
88 m
Weeks Hall
398 m
69-72, Princes Gate Sw7
232 m
Aeronautics and Chemical Engineering Extension
108 m
Union Building
251 m
K6 Telephone Kiosk Outside Royal College Of Music
166 m
Albert Court
229 m
Lamp Standard To West Of Albert Court
245 m
Lamp Standard To South Of Albert Hall Mansions Numbers 49 To 82
255 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes