Imperial Mechanical Engineering interview 2026: dates, questions, format and success rate
How Imperial interviews for Mechanical Engineering, online, Wednesday afternoons, Nov 2026 - Mar 2027: the format, the questions reported for it, and the practice interview built on them.
Figures from imperial.ac.uk, checked 2 November 2026.
At a glance
- When: Wednesday afternoons, Nov 2026 - Mar 2027
- Format: One-to-one interview, Online (A member of academic staff)
- How many: 1
- Length: 25-30 min
- Who's interviewed: Applicants selected for interview
- Before it: ESAT
How the Imperial Mechanical Engineering interview runs
- Before: ESAT
- Interviews: 1, Wednesday afternoons, Nov 2026 - Mar 2027, online
- Each one: 25-30 min, with A member of academic staff
- In the room: Personal-statement questions, some maths and physics, engineering thinking
- They assess: "Potential", in the university's own words
Applied: 2,650. Offered: 406 (2025 entry (2025 UCAS cycle)).
Questions asked
- Reported by an applicant: Three ping-pong balls touch each other on a flat surface and a fourth ball sits in the hollow made by the three. What is the height of the centre of the top ball above the surface?
Imperial Mechanical Engineering interview FAQ
When are Imperial Mechanical Engineering interviews in 2026?
Wednesday afternoons, Nov 2026 - Mar 2027 (at least 2 weeks' notice).
Online or in person?
Online, as a one-to-one interview.
How long is each interview?
25-30 min. 1.
Is there a test?
ESAT.
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