Revolutions in Biomedicine Summer School

The course is made up of three primary academic segments – the Mini Research Project, the Mini Courses, and Guest Lectures – and a social programme, along with multiple networking opportunities. The course is based in the South Kensington campus, with laboratory work occurring on the Hammersmith campus.

Mini Research Project (MRP)

T-cells are central to our adaptive immune response when eliminating infections. If outside invading pathogens attack, lymphocytes called CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (or helper T-cells) send out cytokines to encourage macrophages and neutrophils to attack these external assailants.

But what happens if the infection festers inside a seemingly healthy cell?

That's when the CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), or killer T-cells, arrive. Killer T-cells work to find specific infections and abnormalities that are inside affected cells. Through the Mini Research Project, you will work in a team to investigate the ways in which killer T-cells are first activated. You will first learn how to culture lymphocytes, and then investigate the relative importance of different signals in activating them by measuring cytokine production using ELISA and the expression of new surface markers using flow cytometry. Lastly, you will present your findings at the end of the course in a group presentation. 

Mini Courses

During the three-week course, you will study three ‘mini courses.’ The topics change every year, and they cover a range of themes. No prior knowledge is expected as the summer school is designed to stretch and challenge you to work in novel ways and develop not only your scientific skills but also your confidence.  We will announce the themes for the upcoming Summer School closer to its start.

Guest Lectures and Networking Opportunities 

In addition to the main course there will be a series of guest lectures by Imperial College scientists, who are leaders in their fields. They will share their latest research and work with you, and you will also have the opportunity to directly ask your own questions. This will be followed by a chance to network with the academics at a drinks reception afterwards. We will be announcing the names of this year's guest speakers on this web page.

You will also have the opportunity to reflect on your future in bioscience through our always-popular Masters’ Symposium – where you can speak to current Master's students to gain an insight into postgraduate study – and our Career Services workshop, which will help you prepare for either a graduate programme or to enter the workforce.

Social Programme

As part of the course, we have an exciting social programme for students to engage with. We change it every year, but we have previously taken students to see the BBC Proms, on a cruise along the Thames, on day trips to Kew Gardens, and much, much more! Additionally, the course is predominantly based on the South Kensington campus, so you will be in close proximity to world famous landmarks and museums, such as the Natural History Museum, Hyde Park, and the Royal Albert Hall. Our student ambassadors will be there to guide you and ensure that you have the best experience on the course. They are current Master’s students, and they will be able to provide you with important resources and information about Imperial and postgraduate study.

You will need to demonstrate the following in your application form.

Academic Requirements

1. Current degree student or recent degree graduate (18 years or older)
2. Successful completion of at least one undergraduate bioscience module. You can prove this by providing:
   1. Results transcript for bioscience module (screenshots are acceptable).
   2. If transcript is unavailable, an academic reference from a tutor at your current institution. 

English Language Requirements

One of the following:

1. Proof of studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree taught in English:
   1. No proof is required for degrees studied in the following countries: Australia, Canada, Guyana, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and West Indies
2. IELTS (6.5 overall, minimum score 6.0 in all elements)
3. TOEFL (92 overall minimum score 20 in all elements)
4. Other English language qualification listed on Imperial’s English-language requirements at ‘standard’ level.

1. When applications are live, go to My Imperial, click on ‘Make a new application,’ search for ‘Revolutions in Biomedicine on Campus Summer School (SC),’ and press ‘Select.’
2. Fill in the appropriate fields.

1. For the ‘Qualifications’ field, you will need to supply the documents listed in the entry requirements section above.
2. For supporting documents, you will need to provide an academic transcript or tutor reference, proof of English (if prompted), and immigration documents (if prompted). 

3. You do not need to submit a CV/resumé or personal statement.
4. Submit.

Please note that you will not be able to change your application once it has been submitted.  You can track your application through My Imperial, and you will receive your decision through it and your email. Accept your offer as quickly as possible (28 days to accept) and fulfill your conditions (payment of fee). Enrolment opens 30 days prior to the start of the course. You can complete your enrolment through My Imperial. 

Visas and Immigration 

Please ensure that you have checked Imperial’s visa webpage and the British government’s guidance on whether you need a visa.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before applying.

Cost of the Course

The full course fee for the Summer School is £3,895 per person. The early bird course fee is £3,595. Payment must be made by credit or debit card through our online payment portal. We are unable to hold a place on the course before full payment is received. It is not possible for payment to be made in stages; payment must be received in full for your place to be confirmed. We do offer discounts for block bookings for groups of students coming from the same university, as well as refer a friend discounts. For more information about discounts, contact us and a member of the team will get back to you.  

It is important to make full payment promptly within 14 days of receiving your conditional offer to secure your place. You can cancel your confirmed place within 14 days, after this time the course fee is not refundable, except in cases of exceptional mitigating circumstances. 

What is Included

The fee pays for your tuition, which includes lecture hours, guest lectures, laboratory supplies, and a few catered events such as Welcome Day, the guest lecture networking events, the Masters’ Symposium, and graduation. Accommodation is not included in your fees. However, you may book a room in one of Imperial College’s own Halls of Residences, book accommodation through the private sector, or stay with friends and family. 

Scholarships

We offer two types of full-tuition scholarships: the Summer School Scholarship and the Non-Russell Group Scholarship. The Summer School Scholarship is given to one Summer School student and is open to both Home and Overseas students. The Non-Russell Group Scholarship is open only to applicants who are currently studying at a Non-Russell Group university. We offer up to three Non-Russell Group scholarships per year, and each Non-Russell Group scholar will be paired with one of our Medical Research Council (MRC) funded students, who will serve as their mentor. 

For both scholarships, you must first complete your application to the Summer School on My Imperial. Failure to do so will result in your scholarship application being rejected. You will not have to pay your fees until after scholarship decisions have been made.

Application Form: If you are applying for more than one scholarship, you will only need to complete the application form once. Guidance on what to include as part of your scholarship application form is included within the form. We will provide a link to apply on this website, once applications have opened.

The deadline to apply will be announced shortly. We will inform you if you have been selected for a shortlisted interview. Awardees will be selected based upon their evident potential to succeed in biomedical sciences in their years after graduation. You will not hear an answer on your application until after the scholarship deadline has passed.