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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

B
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 4 datapoints

We looked at 4 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/4

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

3/4

Imperial College London

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 3 of 4 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, scholarship). Birmingham City University is ahead on courses.

Birmingham City University vs Imperial College London at a glance

Birmingham City University and Imperial College London both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Design & Fashion and Civil Engineering. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Birmingham City University is about £6,030 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and Birmingham City University in 0. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £65,000 from Imperial College London. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and Birmingham City University in 1.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#1001
QS World
#2
—
THE World
#8
—
Guardian UK
#5
N/A
Established
1907
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Birmingham City University

Imperial College London

No data
88.9%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

No data
£54,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
52.9%

International

International student share

284
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
90

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Imperial College London

    106 countries · 52.9% international

    • 🇨🇳China41%
    • 🇮🇳India5.8%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
    • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
    • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%

    Subjects

    23 subjects you can study at both

    Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

    Birmingham City University

    Imperial College London

    Also taught at both: Clinical Specialities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Economics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Politics & International Relations.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at Imperial College London

    Fees

    What it costs international students

    The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

    Undergraduate

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    Imperial College London
    £24,600

    Birmingham City University is about £6,030 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    Imperial College London
    £39,900

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City University yet.

    Outcomes

    Graduate outcomes by subject

    Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

    Birmingham City University

    Imperial College London

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£64,000
      78%Satisfaction97%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
      92%Satisfaction90%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£46,000
      81%Satisfaction82%

    • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£65,000
      83%Satisfaction97%

    • Software Engineering

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£65,000
      86%Satisfaction97%

    • Mechanical Engineering

      £25,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
      86%Satisfaction91%

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    Imperial College London

    Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

    £50,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

    £50,000

    Deadline: N/A

    J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

    £45,100

    Deadline: May 2026

    Dean's Impact Scholarship

    £30,000

    Deadline: N/A

    W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

    £30,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs Imperial College London: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or Imperial College London cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Birmingham City University is about £6,030 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

    What subjects can you study at both Birmingham City University and Imperial College London?

    Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business Studies and 11 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or Imperial College London better for Computer Science?

    Computer Science graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £64,000 from Imperial College London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Birmingham City University and 97% at Imperial College London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or Imperial College London offer more courses?

    Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at Imperial College London?

    Birmingham City University teaches 45 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Nursing (General), Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Law, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 37 more.

    What can you study at Imperial College London but not at Birmingham City University?

    Imperial College London teaches 19 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Chemical Engineering and 11 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

    Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    I
    Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses