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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

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/9

Imperial College London

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Imperial College London vs Open University at a glance

Imperial College London and Open University both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 9 and Open University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £33,500 from Open University. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 6 and Imperial College London in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
—
#8
THE World
#801
#5
Guardian UK
—
1907
Established
1969
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

Open University

88.9%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
0.2%

International

International student share

254
337

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

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%

Subjects

22 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

Open University

Also taught at both: Economics, Human Geography & Environment, Public Health & Epidemiology, Management, Politics & International Relations, Software Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Open 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
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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

Open University

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    97%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    76%Satisfaction98%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£43,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    97%SatisfactionNo data

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 →

Open University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Open University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Imperial College London and Open University?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Design & Fashion and 10 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £33,500 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 91% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Open University offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 20 subject areas that Open University does not, including Civil Engineering, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Clinical Specialities and 12 more.

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

Open University teaches 46 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, History, Sociology & Criminology, Humanities, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work and 38 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
O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses