Emilio
MSc Applied Mathematics
Because there鈥檚 so much support from everyone across Imperial, I felt confident and supported enough to start a new official student union campaign.
In his third year of his undergraduate course in Theoretical Physics with Maths, Emilio from Spain realised that his interest really lay in mathematics. Combined with the ambition to try out life in a bigger city, Emilio decided to apply to join the Department of Mathematics at Imperial. Emilio shares more about what his Master鈥檚 is like, his top tips for finding postgraduate accommodation in London and how he鈥檚 making the most of Imperial鈥檚 Enterprise Lab to turn his ideas into reality.
Why Imperial?
In my final undergraduate year at Lancaster University, I was given the choice to continue at the university. I already had friends and a community there, but I decided I wanted to move and try living and studying in a bigger city. London was the perfect choice as it had a great mix of amenities, career opportunities and good universities. I applied to two universities including Imperial and was accepted into both but decided to go with the university with higher student satisfaction 鈥 Imperial!
Doing a Master鈥檚 at Imperial
You鈥檙e given a lot of freedom to explore what interests you on a Master鈥檚 course at Imperial. Fundamentally, the modules are designed to allow you to be curious and to learn around subjects, helping you to build a comprehensive picture of what you could explore and learn more about. However, studying at Imperial made me realise that there鈥檚 always a limit to this 鈥 when starting on big projects, I鈥檝e learned that I should always be realistic and have an end goal in mind.
鈥淥n one of the windows in the Department of Mathematics Huxley Building, there鈥檚 a printed quote from Joseph Fourier that I think encapsulates mathematics: 鈥楳athematics compares the most diverse phenomena and discovers the secret analogies that unite them鈥.鈥
The Imperial community
One of the first feelings I had during induction week at Imperial was that of belonging. I had a strange feeling like I had already met everyone in some past life. My peers were approachable and super interesting to talk to 鈥 we often discuss philosophy, politics and maths over lunch together!
My lecturers are also easy to talk to and are always available during office hours to have a chat about topics covered in the course. Most importantly, I feel respected by my colleagues and other staff which has really helped me open up and share my ideas.
One of the first feelings I had during induction week at Imperial was that of belonging.
Innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities
I enjoy sharing my ideas further with the Enterprise Lab and other 天美传媒 from across disciplines who are interested in entrepreneurship like me. Having already created a startup before I came to Imperial, I was looking for my next project which I knew the Enterprise Lab could support with. I even had the opportunity to became part of the allowing me to tap into a wealth of mentors and experts the Enterprise Lab provides 鈥 all for free!
Because there鈥檚 so much support from everyone across Imperial, I felt confident and supported enough to start a new official student union campaign called RE:GEN. This campaign aims to protect, restore and expand existing green spaces around our campuses. The idea started after gardening with the university Chaplain, Andrew Wilson, and listening to the needs of the community. In collaboration with the Chaplaincy, RE:GEN raised over 拢50,000 in 2024 to build a new community garden on South Kensington Campus.
Since then, I鈥檝e led a team of five student facilitators to build the space and organise a variety of sustainable events like photography competitions and hackathons. I also joined the Imperial chaplaincy community through their regular gardening activities and they have been incredibly supportive during my journey at Imperial.
I felt confident and supported enough by everyone across Imperial to start a new official student union campaign.
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Life in London
The endless things to see, eat and do in London is one of the best qualities of the city.
Living in London has been an incredible experience so far. The best part is that everyone wants to visit you in the city 鈥 I love hosting friends for a weekend and exploring new parts of London together. Having come from a quiet island in Spain, it鈥檚 great being able to take advantage of the many events, gigs and hackathons happening right on my doorstep.
The endless things to see, eat and do in London is also one of the best qualities of the city 鈥 you can just step out of the South Kensington Campus and walk down random streets and find an entire world of opportunities. There鈥檚 so many museums near campus where I can meet friends or clients and take breaks at throughout the day. Top tip: visit the Victoria and Albert Museum on a Friday evening as they鈥檙e open until 22.00 and it鈥檚 always quiet.
Postgraduate accommodation
I currently rent a two-floor apartment in the heart of Tooting Broadway with some housemates. Tooting is an amazing cultural area filled with food outlets, pubs and has a rich history. We live on top of a greengrocers which makes our food shopping experience much more enjoyable than going to the busy Waitrose on Gloucester Road!
The best way to find accommodation gems like this is to first go to different areas across London and find the places you like the vibe of. We explored Brixton, Hackney and Tooting and while there, stopped at several real estate agencies in the area and gave them our details. It鈥檚 also easier to find places with a move-in date of around October or November as it鈥檚 after the peak moving-in season.
Postgraduate accommodation in London
Find out more about your accommodation options and get support from our Student Accommodation Office.
The future is always a bit of a mystery to me. My hope is to stay at Imperial leading its green campus transition through a new green office body or the . Meanwhile, I鈥檓 pivoting my existing startup, , towards new markets outside consulting and exploring other opportunities.
I know that whatever happens in the future, I鈥檒l find a way. It can sometimes be a bit like the Wild West in London, but if you鈥檙e sharp and driven you can find opportunities around every corner 鈥 you just have to go out and find them!
The future is always a bit of a mystery to me. My hope is to stay at Imperial leading its green campus transition through a new green office body or the . Meanwhile, I鈥檓 pivoting my existing startup, , towards new markets outside consulting and exploring other opportunities.
I know that whatever happens in the future, I鈥檒l find a way. It can sometimes be a bit like the Wild West in London, but if you鈥檙e sharp and driven you can find opportunities around every corner 鈥 you just have to go out and find them!
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