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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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/11

Durham

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, employment, international, graduate salary). Durham University is ahead on established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship.

Durham University vs Imperial College London at a glance

Durham University and Imperial College London both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Chemistry. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Imperial College London is about £6,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £39,900 at Imperial College London: Durham University is about £9,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and Durham University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £64,000 from Imperial College London. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 5 and Imperial College London in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#2
#175
THE World
#8
#6
Guardian UK
#5
1832
Established
1907
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

Imperial College London

90.7%
88.9%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£54,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
52.9%

International

International student share

278
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

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

Subjects

25 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.

Durham University

Imperial College London

Also taught at both: Biomedical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Clinical Specialities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
Imperial College London
£24,600

Imperial College London is about £6,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
Imperial College London
£39,900

Durham University is about £9,400 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.

Durham University

Imperial College London

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£64,000
    87%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£53,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Biology

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£46,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    96%Satisfaction91%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£44,000
    90%Satisfaction76%

  • Biochemistry

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

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

Durham University vs Imperial College London: common questions

Is Durham University or Imperial College London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £24,600 at Imperial College London: Imperial College London is about £6,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £39,900 at Imperial College London: Durham University is about £9,400 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 Durham University and Imperial College London?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Civil Engineering, General Engineering, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 13 more.

Is Durham University or Imperial College London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £40,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £64,000 from Imperial College London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Durham University and 97% at Imperial College London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or Imperial College London offer more courses?

Durham University lists 278 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 29 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Law, Psychology (General), Anthropology, Accounting, Classical Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 21 more.

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

Imperial College London teaches 17 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Design & Fashion, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses