Rajiv
MBBS Medicine
Imperial offers world-class teaching and is linked to some amazing teaching hospitals. I can firmly say that it has been one of the best opportunities for me.
What started as a spontaneous application soon turned into a meaningful undergraduate experience. Hear from Rajiv as he shares how building connections and immersing himself in student life has shaped his journey at Imperial so far.
Why did you choose to study at Imperial?
I wanted to go to a university that would give me a world-class education, so that I could become a competent doctor in the future. Imperial is linked to some amazing teaching hospitals and provides early patient contact (in the form of first year placements) and I believed this would be beneficial in developing good patient manner from the beginning.
Secondly, the location – I wanted to come to London as it's a very exciting city to live in with lots of places to see and explore. Thankfully, it wasn't too far from home which was a factor in my decision-making process.
The application process was very smooth for me. I first attended the Undergraduate Open Day and the online information session which provided extra motivation for me to apply. It helped to demystify Imperial, making it seem more accessible and I think that helped push me.
About the MBBS course
The MBBS course is a six-year Medicine degree that combines scientific research with early clinical experience. Students begin learning biomedical sciences alongside patient interaction from Year 1 through GP and hospital placements.
The course is divided into three phases: the first focuses on medical sciences and clinical foundations, the fourth year includes a research-based BSc specialism and the final years concentrate on clinical rotations across major medical specialties.
Imperial’s teaching style includes lectures, team-based learning, simulations and hands-on placements, preparing students for the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) and future NHS practice while developing strong research and innovation skills.
This course has really helped me interact and connect with people and given me lots of opportunities.
What's the Imperial community like?
I am really enjoying my community at Imperial. I feel like I know quite a few people through clubs and my course – there’s always someone around to chat with and I find that it really lifts my day.
It was a gradual process of getting to know people and getting involved in clubs that helped me feel like I belonged.
Joining Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) Tennis and Cricket helped me make friends and get used to life at Imperial. I absolutely love going to training, it keeps me busy and active and I find it really helps mentally as a fun break from all the studying. In addition, the social aspects of these clubs are also amazing. I am not a regular, but occasionally showing up to a few social events, team lunches and heading out for a post training snack are some of the most fun times I think I have had.
What's it like living in London?
Living and studying in London is a splendid experience. There’s always something happening, whether it’s cultural events, conferences, exhibitions or simply exploring different parts of the city. It makes studying here very dynamic because learning doesn’t only happen in lecture rooms.
One of my favourite things about London is how vibrant and diverse it is.
I also enjoy the simple things London offers. There are so many beautiful parks where you can relax after a busy week of studying. I like exploring cafés and local restaurants as well – it’s a great way to unwind. The areas around Imperial have plenty of nice places to eat and spend time with friends and you can sometimes get free samples of food and drinks while walking down the road!
Explore London on our virtual tour
Visit famous London landmarks close to Imperial, including the London Eye, Borough Market and Oxford Circus on our interactive virtual tour.
What are your future plans after graduating?
I hope to be a Junior Doctor in the NHS, supporting patients and working alongside multidisciplinary teams in clinical environments. Through this role, I hope to develop strong communication, teamwork and problem solving skills while contributing to patient care, assessments and treatment across a range of medical settings.
Rajiv's top tips for applying to Imperial
I’ve always been interested in how the human body works and how science can be applied to improve health outcomes, which made medicine feel like a natural path. If you enjoy science and working with people, you will find it especially rewarding as the course brings all of these elements together in a very applied way.
If you're passionate about wanting to make a difference, MBBS Medicine could be a good fit for you.
For example, one day you might be learning about how the cardiovascular system works in a lecture, and the next you could be in a hospital placement seeing how heart conditions like hypertension or heart failure are managed in real patients.
It can be challenging at times but Imperial has a lot of support available, especially around exam season. The great thing about Medicine is we have our own wellbeing group where you can talk openly about how you feel.
Having the chance to study and meet so many different people from all over the world has been an amazing experience for me so far!
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