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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.

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff · THE World #1001

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Imperial College London

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Imperial College London at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Imperial College London both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Design & Fashion. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £39,900 at Imperial College London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £22,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan 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 4 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#2
#1001
THE World
#8
—
Guardian UK
#5
1865
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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Imperial College London

84.5%
88.9%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£54,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
52.9%

International

International student share

321
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Cardiff Metropolitan

43 countries · 16.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India53.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.9%
  • 🌐Nepal4.4%
VS

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

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

Subjects

17 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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Imperial College London

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan 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

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£16,000
Imperial College London
£24,600

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Imperial College London
£39,900

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £22,300 a year cheaper.

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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Imperial College London

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£64,000
    83%Satisfaction97%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • Software Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£65,000
    63%Satisfaction97%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Healthcare Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    70%Satisfaction88%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

NHS Wales Bursary Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

Progression Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

Student Carers Bursary

See details

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Imperial College London: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Imperial College London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £39,900 at Imperial College London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £22,300 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 Cardiff Metropolitan University and Imperial College London?

Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Business Studies, Management and 5 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Imperial College London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £64,000 from Imperial College London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 97% at Imperial College London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Imperial College London offer more courses?

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at Imperial College London?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 35 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Accounting, Law, Social Work, Education Studies and 27 more.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

Imperial College London teaches 25 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses