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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

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

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.

10/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Lancaster University is ahead on courses.

Imperial College London vs Lancaster University at a glance

Imperial College London and Lancaster University both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Imperial College London is about £4,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Lancaster University is about £15,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 11 and Lancaster University in 1. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £34,500 from Lancaster University. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and Lancaster University in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#164
#8
THE World
#184
#5
Guardian UK
#10
1907
Established
1964
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

Lancaster University

88.9%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
79.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
22.4%

International

International student share

254
526

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
11

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

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

30 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

Lancaster University

Also taught at both: Statistics, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Software Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Public Health & Epidemiology, Building & Construction, Medicine.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Lancaster 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
Lancaster University
£28,680

Imperial College London is about £4,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Lancaster University
£24,300

Lancaster University is about £15,600 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

Lancaster University

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    97%Satisfaction80%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    76%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction100%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction68%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction76%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    97%Satisfaction92%

  • Medicine

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£49,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

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 →

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Lancaster University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Imperial College London is about £4,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Lancaster University is about £15,600 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 Lancaster University?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biochemistry and 18 more.

Is Imperial College London or Lancaster University better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £29,500 from Lancaster University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Imperial College London and 89% at Lancaster University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Lancaster University offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 12 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Biology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Anatomy & Pathology, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and 4 more.

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

Lancaster University teaches 41 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Linguistics, Law, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy and 33 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
L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses