“We’re Working to Ensure Applicants’ Submissions Aren’t Disrupted”: An Instagram Live with Imperial College Business School

Finding a university and submitting an application have both been heavily affected by COVID-19, as it has become much harder to visit institutions and speak with them to learn more about their courses.

To help bridge that gap and keep you connected with universities, business schools, and other useful sources of information, QS Chats regularly runs on our social media channels, connecting you with notable figures from the world’s top academic institutions.

Last week, we held our first QS Chat with Joel McConnell, Executive Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions at Imperial College Business School, to discuss how they are adapting to COVID-19 and what prospective students can expect from the school.

If you missed it, we’ve pulled out some of the highlights from our conversation with Joel below. Also, you can join our next QS Chat session on Instagram this Friday at 3:00 pm BST, when we’ll be chatting with George Washington University’s School of Engineering.

Imperial’s groundbreaking research and modelling have played a key role in the UK’s fight against COVID-19. How is Imperial responding to the pandemic?

Imperial has been at the forefront of the scientific response to COVID-19, with leading research and disease modelling led by Professor Neil Ferguson and the MRC GIDA team. The government has also invested £22.5 million in a vaccine trial led by Professor Robin Shattock in the Department of Infectious Disease.

Other faculty members have used their expertise to provide media commentary on the business and economic impact of COVID-19, including Professor Tarun Ramadorai (on the impact on developing countries such as India), Professor Franco Sassi (on the impact on the NHS), and Professor Tommaso Valletti (on the long-term economic impact and the prospect of a second Great Depression).

How has life at Imperial changed over the past few weeks?

The shift to a fully digital environment has turned out to be relatively straightforward. For students, that has meant completing their courses through remote delivery.

Our early investment in EdTech has proved wise, and our strategy of stability, enhancement, and innovation has worked well. We are now developing a strategy for how to continue delivering a world-class student experience beyond the classroom in a fully digital environment.

How are you supporting your students? Have entry requirements changed?

First and foremost, our aim is to help current students complete their courses and guide them through the process, which includes remote assessment, and that has gone relatively smoothly. We are working to ensure that students receive the pastoral care they need and have access to support services and mental health resources, especially those who are far from home.

We are working to ensure that candidates’ applications and registrations are not disrupted. We understand that everyone is in a difficult situation and are offering flexibility where needed. Candidates are best advised to apply, and then we can work with them individually on the next steps.

We are continuing to think about how to enhance the student experience, and for candidates who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will maintain access to scholarship opportunities and encourage admitted applicants to apply.

What advice would you give future students?

Have a clear narrative that explains why a particular programme and why a particular school are the right fit for your career development and professional goals. Use concrete examples of the range of services and centres the school offers to show how you want to shape an experience that is your own, and demonstrate that you understand what makes the school distinctive.

Think about context, think about career outcomes, and show resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic has had very significant consequences, especially for families directly affected by bereavement and for public healthcare services.

But we will get through this, so my advice is to stay committed to your plans, use this time to improve your skills, gain more life experience, connect with other ambitious professionals, keep a close eye on trends in corporate hiring, and be ready to open up new career paths.

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