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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

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester · QS World #600

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

Manchester Metropolitan

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). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs Manchester Metropolitan University at a glance

Imperial College London and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Biology and Chemistry. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £18,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 10 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £25,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#600
#8
THE World
#601
#5
Guardian UK
#62
1907
Established
1970
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

Manchester Metropolitan University

88.9%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
9.3%

International

International student share

254
393

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
3

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

Manchester Metropolitan

90 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.7%
  • 🇨🇳China10.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.8%

Subjects

26 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Building & Construction, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate.

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
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,500

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £18,900 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction87%
  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction86%
  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    97%Satisfaction84%
  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction94%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction83%
  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    85%Satisfaction83%
  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    97%SatisfactionNo data
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction87%
  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    97%Satisfaction83%
  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%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 →

Manchester Metropolitan University

Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships

100%

Deadline: May 2026

Doctoral Landscape Awards

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulbright Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Manchester Metropolitan University: common questions

Is Imperial College London or Manchester Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £18,900 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 Manchester Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Anatomy & Pathology and 14 more.

Is Imperial College London or Manchester Metropolitan University better for Biology?

Biology graduates earn a median £33,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £20,000 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Imperial College London and 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Manchester Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 16 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Physics, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering and 8 more.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 52 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Studies, Teacher Training, Media & Film Studies, Law, Psychology (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology and 44 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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