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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
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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

Kingston

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Imperial College London vs Kingston University at a glance

Imperial College London and Kingston University both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Civil Engineering. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £18,500 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £6,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,900 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £21,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 9 and Kingston University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £24,500 from Kingston University. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and Kingston University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#686
#8
THE World
#801
#5
Guardian UK
#67
1907
Established
1899
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

Kingston University

88.9%
85.4%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£31,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
78.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
21.9%

International

International student share

254
390

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
0

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

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%

Subjects

24 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

Kingston University

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Management, Human Geography & Environment, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Kingston 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
Kingston University
£18,500

Kingston University is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Kingston University
£18,900

Kingston University is about £21,000 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

Kingston University

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    97%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    97%Satisfaction82%

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 →

Kingston University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Kingston University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £18,500 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £6,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,900 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £21,000 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 Kingston University?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mechanical Engineering and 12 more.

Is Imperial College London or Kingston University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £26,500 from Kingston University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Imperial College London and 94% at Kingston University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Kingston University offer more courses?

Kingston University lists 390 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 18 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology and 10 more.

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

Kingston University teaches 43 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Applied Psychology, Law, Psychology (General), Midwifery, Environmental Sciences, Architecture, Creative Writing and 35 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
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses