How does campus recruitment work for Imperial College?

Question

Hi,

I completed my Bachelor's and I'll start my MSc at Imperial College in October, and I'm highly interested in applying for entry-level roles in MBB.

How does campus recruitment work? Is it better if I apply directly, or if I wait until there are events from MBB on campus? Please note that I have 2 referrals from BCG (one Consultant and one Project Leader) and I have a few more intro calls booked in with more senior employees from MBB in general.

Also, do I check when these events will happen via the company websites?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi there,

You don’t need to wait for the events before applying. The events are mainly for networking, learning more about the firms, and getting face time with recruiters and consultants – they don’t affect whether your application can be submitted. Applications go through the official portals, and those deadlines are fixed regardless of events.

So the best approach is:

Apply as soon as the application window opens – this ensures your CV is in the system and considered on time.
Also attend the campus events when they come up – they’re useful to strengthen your connections, but they don’t replace the application process.

Since you already have referrals lined up, you’ll be in a strong position whether or not you attend the events. But if you can, do both – submit your application early, and use the events to show additional commitment and get to know the recruiters.

Best,

Evelina

Answer 2

If you have the option, do apply through your university.

Even though that means you will be pitted against other candidates as part of campus recruitment, in many instances this more streamlined process is worth it rather than applying directly to your target firms.

How does this work?

It varies slightly from university to university. Do reach out to your careers office to clarify this. The earlier, the better.

And then, in terms of general principles on how to develop a strong and smart application strategy, you might find the following guide useful:

Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Hey there :)

From friends at Imperial I know that MBB runs a very structured campus recruiting process there. They usually host events (presentations, networking evenings, sometimes small workshops) in autumn, and applications for internships and full-time roles open around the same time. The firms tend to batch Imperial applicants together, so it’s best to apply in sync with those timelines rather than much earlier.

You can check the exact dates either on the firms’ career pages or via the Imperial Careers Service, which publishes the calendar of employer events. Attending the events is definitely helpful for visibility and networking, but your referrals already give you a strong edge.

So in short: wait for the official Imperial recruitment cycle, use the events to connect, and then apply with your referrals in place. That way your application lands in the right batch and gets the right attention.

best,
Alessa :)