Independent Research Project
The Independent Research Project (IRP) is the capstone module of four MSc courses in the Ada Lovelace Academy at Imperial College London: ACSE, EDSML, GEMS and READY. Over the summer, each student tackles a real-world research question or industrial challenge by designing and implementing a computational solution, guided by a supervisor at Imperial or at an external organisation. The majority of our students work on external projects, and so far they have worked with nearly 150 companies and universities around the world.
The IRP takes place over the summer, after the taught modules. It runs for 14 weeks, from late May to the end of August, and is full-time: around 40 hours per week. Every student is guided by a supervisor, and students on external projects also have an IRP tutor from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering. Students submit a project plan (5% of the mark) early on and a final report and code (95%) at the end, which they then present and defend in an in-person viva in September. For details, see the overview, schedule, deliverables, marking and supervision pages.
What’s happening now¶
Current deadlines and actions. For all key dates, see the schedule.
Now Call for supervisor-proposed projects Imperial supervisors External partners
Propose IRP2027 projects for our students by Monday, 18 January 2027, 10:00 GMT. Find out more →
Start here¶
Students
Imperial supervisors
Work with our students External partners
Have a computational challenge you would like to explore? Propose a project and host an Imperial College London MSc student full time over the summer. You get real progress on a problem you care about, with code and a report at the end, and a chance to get to know a potential future hire: many partners have gone on to hire their IRP students. We shortlist interested students, and you choose who to work with.
Quick links FAQ Schedule Viva schedule Contact
Need help?
Check this website, especially the FAQ — many common questions are already answered there.
Students: ask on the module’s MS Teams channel, so everyone with the same question benefits from the answer.
Email the IRP team at
adalovelace-irp@imperial.ac.uk(see Contact).
If you are struggling personally or something outside your control is affecting your work, see support and wellbeing and mitigating circumstances. To give anonymous and confidential feedback, use Marijan’s feedback box and select IRP for question 1.
The year at a glance¶
Project allocation · Nov – May
Nov – Jan
Project proposals Imperial supervisors External partners
Imperial supervisors and external partners submit project proposals for the coming summer.
Feb – Apr
External project selection Students External partners Optional
Students select externally offered projects, shortlisted students send their CVs, and partners then make their decisions.
April
Students propose projects and select internal ones Students
Students propose their own projects and submit their internal project selections.
Early May
Projects allocated Students Imperial supervisors External partners
Students and supervisors are told which projects have been allocated. For external and student-proposed projects, students and supervisors often find out several weeks earlier, as soon as the project is confirmed.
The IRP · late May – September
Late May
The IRP begins Students Imperial supervisors External partners
Full-time work starts. Students and supervisors arrange their first supervision meetings, ideally in the first week.
June
Project plan due (5%) Students
Students submit their project plan.
August
Final report and code due Students
This ends the IRP’s full-time work. Submit the final report, the code and the academic integrity declaration.
September
Vivas Students Imperial supervisors External partners
Students present and defend their work to their examiners and a moderator. Students attend in person, while examiners may join remotely.
Exact dates and times for the current year are on the Schedule page.