Relocation Guidance
We want to take this opportunity to welcome you to Imperial College London. These pages contain helpful information to support you in your preparations to join us and during your first few months here in London.
The topics below cover items most frequently asked by new members of staff who have relocated to London.
If you have any specific employment queries, please contact the HR Staff Hub, who will be pleased to help you.
Resources
Your essentials
- Accommodation – Imperial’s guide to finding accommodation in London
- Banking – a website explaining how to open a bank account
- Healthcare - a link to the National Health Service website. Alternatively, you can read this blog which explains how healthcare works in the UK.
- Take-Home Salary Calculator – an online tool that calculates how much salary will one takes home after pensions, taxes, and other deductions
Living in London
Household bills
- Council Tax
- Gas & Electricity supply & Water
- Telephone & Broadband
- Mobile Phone
- Television License
- Home Insurance
- Car Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Loans available from the College
Accommodation
- Imperial Staff Accommodation
- Where to live/Best places to live
- Practical Guide – about living in London
- Rent deposit loan scheme
- Relocation and Removal Companies
- Suggestions on areas you might like to live:
Health
- National Health Service
- NHS GP search engine – the NHS’s website to search for and find a GP in an area
- Sport and Gym at Imperial
- Free Fitness Classes in London
- Imperial College Health Centre – Imperial’s on-site, NHS GP surgery, eligibility applies
- NHS Dentist – an information page on how to access NHS dental care
General Advice
- Time Out – a guide to living in London
- Discounts at local businesses – get money off at businesses around our campuses
- Zip Oyster card – travel cards for using the Transport for London network with reduced rates for children
- Visit London – a guide to things to do in London
- Events guide for parks in London
- Discover South Kensington – a guide to things to do around our South Kensington Campus
- Imperial Today – daily email updates from Imperial
- Money Saving Expert – an independent website offering advice on how to save money, utility bills, and bank accounts
Schooling and Childcare
Pre-school and childcare
- Nursery on South Kensington Campus
- Affiliated nurseries
- My Family Care
- Imperial activity and educational camp
Schooling
- Types of school – an explainer of the different types of schools available in England
- State School inspection reports (Ofsted) – reports on the performance of state schools
- Independent school inspection reports (ISI) – reports on the performance of private and independent schools
- Process of applying to schools – an explanation of how to apply for your children to attend a local school
Support for Partners & Families
- Community space at White City Campus
- Parents' Network
- Adult Education Classes at Imperial – evening courses in the arts, humanities, languages and sciences, open to all adults
- British Council – online resources to support English Language learning where needed
Online Resources to assist partners with work in the UK
Overseas Relocation
Working at Imperial
- Imperial College Campuses – information and maps of the College’s campuses
- College policies on Leave and Absence – the College’s policies relating to annual leave, family leave, special leave, etc.
- Employee Self Service – Access to payslips and make updates to personal details on the College system
- Common College Acronyms – common abbreviations and acronyms used at the College
- Pensions – the pension schemes available at the College
- Confidential Care - Employee Assistance Provider – independent information and advice on a wide range of work and life issues
- Pay dates – the dates monthly salary payments will be credited to employee’s accounts
- Trade union membership - the College recognises three trade unions. Refer to the link for more information.