Support for displaced students

Imperial College London is committed to ensuring that displacement or instability is never a barrier to accessing education.

If you are applying to Imperial and have been affected by conflict, persecution, humanitarian emergencies or forced displacement, we are here to support you.

We recognise that your circumstances may make it difficult to follow standard admissions processes, and we will consider your application with care, flexibility and dignity.

On this page:

Who this support is for

This page is for students in situations of displacement, including (but not limited to) those affected by:

  • Armed conflict or war
  • Political violence or persecution
  • Natural disasters or humanitarian emergencies
  • Refugee or asylum‑seeking circumstances

You may identify with one or more of these situations. You do not need to use specific legal terms to access support.

How we can support your application

We understand that students in situations of displacement may face barriers such as:

  • Missing or delayed academic documents
  • Interrupted or incomplete education history
  • Difficulty accessing English language tests
  • Safety concerns around communication or document sharing
  • Unreliable internet access
  • Trauma‑related challenges affecting engagement

Where these challenges apply, we can offer flexible alternatives and additional support on a case-by-case basis.

Academic documentation

If you do not have formal transcripts or certificates

If official transcripts or degree certificates are unavailable or indefinitely delayed, we may be able to accept confirmation directly from your awarding institution.

This confirmation should include (where available):

  • Your full name (matching your current passport)
  • Name of the academic institution
  • Course title and qualification achieved or pending
  • Final or current classification (where applicable, confirming that further marks may increase but not decrease the award)
  • Expected or actual award date

Admissions panel review

Where formal documentation cannot be obtained, your case may be reviewed by an Admissions Panel to ensure fairness and consistency.

The panel includes:

  • A senior member of Admissions staff
  • The relevant Faculty Admissions Manager
  • The Programme Admissions Tutor

A formal record of decisions is kept to support consistency and transparency.

English language requirements

If your circumstances prevent you from meeting standard English language requirements, we may be able to offer flexibility, including:

  • Extended deadlines
  • Access to free English language tests where available
  • Acceptance of online or alternative tests
  • We encourage you to contact us as early as possible to discuss your options.

How to safely tell us about your circumstances

The best way to contact us is through our Admissions Enquiry form.

When you complete the form, select the category Want to ask about something else from the options available for the question What is your enquiry about?

Choosing this category ensures that your enquiry is identified immediately as relating to displacement and is reviewed by staff who are trained to support these circumstances sensitively.

You do not need to provide detailed personal information unless you feel comfortable doing so.  

All information is handled sensitively and in line with Imperial’s Privacy Notice for Students and Prospective Students.

Contact us

Related policies and guidance

If you wish to review our Students in Situations of Displacement policy or more guidance, please refer to our Admissions and Registration Page.

Need help or unsure where to start?

If you are unsure whether this support applies to you, or if you need guidance not covered here, please contact us using our Admissions Enquiry form. A member of the Admissions team will be happy to help.

You are welcome at Imperial. We are committed to helping you access education safely and fairly.