Skip to main content

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
London South Bank University

London · QS World #901

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/12

Imperial College London

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

2/12

London South Bank

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). London South Bank University is ahead on established, employment.

Imperial College London vs London South Bank University at a glance

Imperial College London and London South Bank University both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Building & Construction. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; London South Bank University offers 240 courses across 55 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,400 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £7,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,900 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £21,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and London South Bank University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £28,000 from London South Bank University. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and London South Bank University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#901
#8
THE World
#601
#5
Guardian UK
#78
1907
Established
1892
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Imperial College London

London South Bank University

88.9%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£33,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
15.6%

International

International student share

254
240

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

London South Bank

60 countries · 15.6% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.1%
  • 🇮🇳India19.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh18.1%
  • 🌐Nepal4.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.3%

Subjects

18 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

London South Bank University

Also taught at both: Economics, Clinical Specialities, Management.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at London South Bank 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
London South Bank University
£17,400

London South Bank University is about £7,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
London South Bank University
£18,900

London South Bank 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

London South Bank University

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    97%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction75%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction66%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

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 →

London South Bank University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs London South Bank University: common questions

Is Imperial College London or London South Bank University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,400 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £7,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,900 at London South Bank University: London South Bank 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 London South Bank University?

Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Design & Fashion, General Engineering and 6 more.

Is Imperial College London or London South Bank University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £28,000 from London South Bank University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 90% at London South Bank University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or London South Bank University offer more courses?

Imperial College London lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and London South Bank University lists 240 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 24 subject areas that London South Bank University does not, including Mathematics, Biology, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 16 more.

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

London South Bank University teaches 37 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Children's Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Adult Nursing, Architecture, Law, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 29 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
London South Bank University240 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses