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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.

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

K
Keele University

Keele · QS World #801

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.

9/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Keele

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Keele University is ahead on employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs Keele University at a glance

Imperial College London and Keele University both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Chemistry and Business & Management (General). Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Keele University offers 426 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £6,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £21,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 12 and Keele University in 1. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £26,500 from Keele University. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and Keele University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#801
#8
THE World
#501
#5
Guardian UK
#73
1907
Established
1949
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Imperial College London

Keele University

88.9%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
8.5%

International

International student share

254
426

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
1

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.

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

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

Keele

56 countries · 8.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria12.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.7%

Subjects

34 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.

Imperial College London

Keele University

Also taught at both: Chemical Engineering, Economics, Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Biotechnology, Software Engineering, Medicine, Human Geography & Environment, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Keele University

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

Imperial College London
£24,600
Keele University
£18,200

Keele University is about £6,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Keele University
£18,200

Keele University is about £21,700 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.

Imperial College London

Keele University

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    97%Satisfaction76%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    76%Satisfaction96%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction77%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    97%Satisfaction68%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    97%Satisfaction72%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

Keele University

Postgraduate Global Scholarship (international) 2026

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Keele University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £6,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £21,700 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 Imperial College London and Keele University?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Computer Science, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Biochemistry, Biology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation and 22 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £26,500 from Keele University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 76% at Keele University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Keele University offer more courses?

Keele University lists 426 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 8 subject areas that Keele University does not, including Design & Fashion, Statistics, Clinical Specialities, Building & Construction, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Healthcare Science and Genetics & Genomics.

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

Keele University teaches 45 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Psychology (General), Media & Film Studies, Law, Forensic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Environmental Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Pharmacy and 37 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
K
Keele University426 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses