Frequently asked questions

I-Explore is a broad portfolio of degree credit modules that launched in Oct 2020, providing an opportunity for you to broaden your knowledge and tackle a subject area outside of your core discipline.

In either Year 2 or 3 of your undergraduate degree (depending on your department), you will take an I-Explore Module. The module  you take will be integrated into your  programme  and will count  for  credit towards your degree.

Imperial College is committed to providing a broader and more inclusive education experience for all students. In the academic year 2019/20 we took a significant step forward in realising that ambition, with undergraduate students being offered a for-credit module from options outside of their core subject.

The university wants to help prepare you to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world by giving you educational experiences, skills, and knowledge which go beyond the traditional limits of a university curriculum. By taking part in challenging activities outside of your discipline, you will be able to apply your knowledge in a new context.

To make it easier to follow your interests, the I-Explore portfolio has been divided into categories:

• Imperial Horizons modules

Imperial Horizons gives you access to a wide range of options, including modules focused on humanities, social sciences, languages, and global challenges. There are opportunities to collaborate and work on projects with real-world impact.

• Business for Professionals of Engineering and Science (BPES) modules

BPES modules, delivered by Imperial College Business School, give you the chance to gain a greater understanding of the financial, strategic and operational context of your core subject.

• STEMM modules

These modules allow you to study areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) which are outside of your core curriculum. This will also include topical STEMM areas being pioneered by our researchers that are not currently offered within our undergraduate degrees.

An I-Explore module in Year 2 or 3 is an integral part of your degree. Your department will decide on which year you will take your chosen module.

There is no option to opt-out of taking an I-Explore module. The university considers it critical to your learning experience that you have the chance to broaden your knowledge and tackle a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules built into your degree.

I-Explore part of most of our undergraduate degrees. 

However, I-Explore is not part of the following degree programmes:  

• Chemical with Nuclear Engineering (H890) 
• Chemical Sciences and Management (F1N2) 
• Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Biotechnology with a Language for Science (C1R1, C1R2, C1R4, C7R1, C7R2, C7R4, J7R1, J7R2, J7R4)*

*Students taking a degree 'with a Language for Science' will take an Imperial Horizons language module as part of their main degree. 

Chemical Engineering and Earth Science Engineering students who are abroad in Year 3 should talk to their department about selecting an I-Explore type module at their year abroad institution.

I-Explore modules have been developed in areas that will encourage collaborative, imaginative and innovative ways of thinking, complementing your core subject by allowing you to apply your knowledge in a new context.

Your I-Explore module will not reduce your contact time with your lecturers or peers during your degree, nor does it limit what you will learn in your curriculum. In fact it does the opposite, as you will be interacting and learning with students from across the university and will have the opportunity to be taught by academic staff from outside of your home Department.

Yes, your I-Explore module will contribute 5 ECTS to your degree. I-Explore has been integrated into your degree programme, giving you the space and time needed to engage with your module.

Imperial Horizons Languages module are worth 7.5 ECTS, however, only 5 ECTS will form part of your degree. The extra 2.5 ECTS is a permitted overshoot in credits.

The following students take an I-Explore module in Year 2: 

• Dyson School of Design Engineering
• Life Sciences Department
• Maths Department
• Physics Department
• School of Medicine - Students on the MBBS and BMB Programmes

You will select your I-Explore module in the academic year before you take the module. Students taking their I-Explore module in Year 2 will select their module in Year 1, and students taking their I-Explore module in Year 3 will select their module in Year 2.

Please see Choosing your module preferences for more information on how and when to choose your module. 

You will be asked to select six I-Explore modules that you would be interested in taking and to rank them in order of preference. Our algorithm will allocate you one I-Explore module from your six choices. Your module allocation will be confirmed in August. 

Please note that there may be a different selection period for students taking Horizons and BPES modules outside of I-Explore. More information can be found on the Imperial Horizons and Business School webpages. 

Please see Module restrictions for information on the general restrictions that apply when choosing your modules and any specific restrictions affecting students in your home department or on your degree programme. 

No, an I-Explore module is intended to be an exploratory learning experience that complements your core subject, rather than a replacement for it. As such, I-Explore modules are available to you in one specific year of your degree.

Some of the modules available within the I-Explore portfolio are also available outside of I-Explore.

See the questions belows for more information. 

You are required to take one I-Explore module as part of your degree . This could be a 10-week module in the Autumn or Spring term or a 20-week module which starts in the Autumn term. 

If you choose to take a 10-week module in the Autumn term, it is not possible to take another 10-week module in the Spring term. 

Please see the question: 'Are some I-Explore modules more work than others?' for more information on the differences between the 10 and 20-week modules. 

The BPES programme existed before the launch of I-Explore and therefore has a longstanding tradition of offering modules to students throughout their time at Imperial. Depending on your degree programme, it is possible to take a BPES modules outside of I-Explore.

You can take BPES modules:

• For-credit as an I-Explore module in either Year 2 or Year 3 (as chosen by your Department)
• For-credit as an elective module as part of your degree (only available to students on certain degree programmes)

Please see the BPES webpage for more information. 

No, the STEMM modules have been designed specifically for the I-Explore programme. It is only possible to take a STEMM module in your I-Explore year.

You can not take one of these modules of Degree Credit or Extra Credit in your other years of study. 

Yes. The Imperial Horizons programme existed before the launch of I-Explore and therefore has a longstanding tradition of offering modules to students throughout their time at Imperial. It is possible to take a Horizons modules in every year that you are an undergraduate (exceptions apply).

You can take Horizons modules:

• For credit as an I-Explore module in either Year 2 or Year 3 (as chosen by your Department)
• For credit as an elective module as part of your degree (only available to students on certain degree programmes)
• For extra credit or non-credit, for interest alongside your degree

Please see Taking a module for credit for more information on the different credit statuses and the Horizons outside of I-Explore Enrolment page for how to enrol in your non-I-Explore years.

No, you cannot take an Extra Credit Horizons module in the same academic year as you take your I-Explore module. 

The main reason for this is timetable clashes. Most of the modules take place in the dedicated timeslots indicated in the question below. 

If you are interested in taking a Horizons module we would suggest taking this as part of I-Explore. 

On campus and live online modules run in the following timeslots: 

• Year 2 - Mondays - 16:00-18:00
• Year 3 - Thursdays - 16:00-18:00

Classes commence in the second week of the Autumn and Spring terms. 

Please see Timetable and term dates for more information. 

Most face-to-face I-Explore modules will take place on our South Kensington campus. However, some modules may take place on our other campuses or in other locations (such as local schools or museums).

The module webpages and selection platform will provide an indication of how and where we expect the module to take place. Please note that the planned delivery modes and locations are indicative and may need to be changed in response to changing circumstances.

Online asynchronous modules often involve group work, which might require you to meet up with your peers.  

The ECTS value of a module represents the amount of work associated with that module. 

• Language modules are 7.5 ECTS. This larger size is intended to enable students to progress from one language level to another (e.g. Language Level A2 to Language Level B1).
• All other I-Explore modules are 5 ECTS. 

You may also want to consider the amount of time that I-Explore modules are taught over (either 10 weeks or 20 weeks). 

You’ll find that most BPES and STEMM modules are taught over 10 weeks and that Horizons modules are taught over 20 weeks.

However, a 5 ECTS module taught over 20 weeks will carry the same overall workload as 5 ECTS module taught over 10 weeks. It is the balance of class time and independent work that differs (20 week modules require less work at home).

FHEQ levels are used to represent the difficulty of modules at Imperial (and Universities generally). The modules you take in your second year of a degree programme are typically level 5, and typically level 6 in your third year.  

As a general rule, our I-Explore modules are either FHEQ level 5 or 6.  The FHEQ level of each I-Explore module is noted on the website and the module selection system. 

Language modules do not follow FHEQ levels. European languages map onto Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In order of ascending difficulty, the CEFR Levels are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.

I-Explore language modules range from CEFR Level A2 – C1. A1 language modules (Level 1) are not available within the I-Explore Programme.

You can find indicative details about how each module is assessed on the module description webpages. 

Your I-Explore module is a compulsory part of your undergraduate curriculum. You will need to attend and pass your I-Explore module to gain enough credits to pass the year.

You’ll also get a numerical mark that will go on your transcript. However, the numerical mark won't be included in the calculation of your final degree result.

Please see the I-Explore Switching Policy.

Please see the information on the following webpage: Compulsory/ Must-pass.

If you have questions about how I-Explore fits into your degree programme or what it means for you and your studies, we recommend that you speak to your personal tutor or contact your Department's Undergraduate Office.

Once you are enrolled on an I-Explore module, we recommend you initially discuss any concerns with the module leader or your personal tutor. You may also wish to refer to the CLCC UG Modules Handbook which contains all our policies and procedures. 

For enrolment queries or more general queries about the programme, please email [email protected]. Do not hesitate to contact the I-Explore team if we can help or advise you.