Applications have now closed
We are no longer accepting Welcome Ambassador applications. If you have applied, you can expect to receive a decision in week commencing 25th August.
Welcome to Imperial is our programme of events and activities to welcome new undergraduate and postgraduate students to the Imperial community. As in previous years, Welcome 2025 will once again feature multiple events such as talks and fairs, support for thousands of students to move into halls of residence, and taking over campus for the season to make new students feel special.
Delivering this is a massive undertaking, and we rely on our student Welcome Ambassadors to make it happen by supporting all activities throughout the season and using their experience as students to support new students at Imperial. As well as a paid work opportunity, Ambassadors benefit by gaining skills in communication, working off initiative, and problem-solving. Last year, 100% of Ambassadors said they'd consider being an Ambassador again in our feedback survey.
Applications are now open to be an Ambassador in 2025! Below is more information about the different roles available, how the scheme is managed, and how to apply.
What roles are available
Move-in Team
Would you like to help incoming Undergraduate students start their journey in London? Our Halls of Residence are welcoming in 3,000 students into their new homes for the year and you can be there to welcome them in on their first day. We have Halls of Residences across locations in London that need your enthusiasm and help over move-in weekend! Be prepared and comfortable for some heavy lifting, as you'll also be helping students move their stuff into their new home. Note: this role isn't suitable for students with mobility issues. Hall Seniors are not eligible for move-in shifts at the Hall where they're a Senior.
When? Thursday 25 September - Saturday 27 September, whole day shifts
Where? South Kensington, North Acton, Paddington
Welcome Hub Team
Campus can feel like a big, confusing place and things can be quite difficult and overwhelming in your first week. To help students out around campus over Welcome Week, we'll have a Welcome Hub team comprising roamers around the South Kensington campus as well as specific information points (including the Student Hub) offering support to students. As a member of the team, you'll provide practical information to students who need help and have proactive friendly conversation with ones who look alone.
When? Saturday 27 September - Friday 3 October, flexible shifts throughout day
Where? South Kensington and White City
More roles
Event Support
The university is organising a number of events to help students settle in and provide information that will set them up for their time at Imperial - from the President's Welcome talk, to networking events, to our Discover Imperial Fair. Welcome Ambassadors will provide general on-the-ground event support including ushering, crowd control and event set-up. Event supporters may also help to host events to give a friendly student-led experience to incoming students. Note: this role isn't suitable for students with mobility issues.
When? Saturday 27 September - Friday 3 October, various shift times
Where? South Kensington and White City
Campus Tour Guides
We might not have the biggest campus of every university in the country, but it's big enough to get lost when you're new to it! Becoming familiar with your new physical space is an important way to feel settled and like you belong somewhere. Therefore, we'll be running Campus Tours throughout Welcome Week and who better to lead these tours than those who know it best - returning students. As a Campus Tour guide, you'll design a personalised tour of campus and the immediate local area, including fun facts, secrets and personal stories and take students on these tours in small groups. Note: this role isn't suitable for students with mobility issues.
When: Saturday 28 September - Friday 3 October, flexible shifts throughout day
Where: South Kensington campus & local area
More information
To be eligible to be a Welcome Ambassador, you must be a current undergraduate or postgraduate student who will be returning for the 2025/26 academic year. You must also able to demonstrate that you have the right to work in the United Kingdom while you're an Ambassador.
As it is a paid work opportunity, selection of Student Welcome Ambassadors will be a competitive recruitment process where we expect to receive many more applicants than Ambassador places available. Your application will be judged on the following selection criteria:
- Strong verbal communication skills with a friendly, approachable manner.
- Ability to follow set procedures and instructions from supervisors.
- Ability to be proactive and show initiative.
- Strong organisation and timekeeping skills, with ability to be punctual, reliable, and responsible.
- Enthusiasm for developing a positive Welcome experience for new students at Imperial.
There is no one type of person we’re looking for – any returning student studying any course at any level. It is not necessary to have taken part in the scheme before – we will provide plenty of guidance and information, as well as training, to ensure that you are prepared for your role.
We particularly encourage applications from ethnic minority students, disabled students, LGBTQ+ students, postgraduates, mature students, and anyone passionate about inclusion.
You will be paid an hourly salary as a casual worker at spine point 1 on the College’s casual worker PTOL pay scale, which you can find out more about on the Casual Worker Salary page.
For 2025/26, this total rate is set at £17.01/hour, inclusive of holiday pay (basic rate £15.18 + holiday pay £1.83).
Ambassadors who are recruited will be able to request shifts once the schedule is released in mid-September. Shifts will be allocated on the principle of prioritising filling as many shifts as possible, while attempting to distribute shifts as evenly as possible across Ambassadors. First-come-first-serve will be used when all other things are equal.
Therefore, the total hours any individual Ambassador works depends on how many shifts they request and how popular those shifts are. Last year, the average number of hours worked by each Ambassador was 15 hours over multiple days.
All Welcome Ambassadors will be expected to attend a live training session (online or in-person) in the week commencing 22nd September. This will provide core information about being an Ambassador as well as a chance to develop skills needed for the role.
You will also receive comprehensive guidance information via the Welcome Ambassador SharePoint including signposting guidance, advice for talking to students, and information about what's going during Welcome.
Every shift will have a dedicated staff member leading it to make sure that there's support on-shift for queries or to escalate concerns.