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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

R
Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen · QS World #1001

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

Robert Gordon

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Imperial College London vs Robert Gordon University at a glance

Imperial College London and Robert Gordon University both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Business Studies. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £18,300 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £6,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £19,060 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £20,840 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and Robert Gordon University in 0. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £27,000 from Robert Gordon University. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and Robert Gordon University in 0.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#1001
#8
THE World
#801
#5
Guardian UK
#81
1907
Established
1729
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Imperial College London

Robert Gordon University

88.9%
87.9%

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%
88.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
14.4%

International

International student share

254
151

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
43

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

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria36.2%
  • 🇮🇳India16.2%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana9.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%

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

Robert Gordon University

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Building & Construction, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Robert Gordon 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
Robert Gordon University
£18,300

Robert Gordon University is about £6,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Robert Gordon University
£19,060

Robert Gordon University is about £20,840 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

Robert Gordon University

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    97%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    91%Satisfaction85%

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 →

Robert Gordon University

Bolashak Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)

100%

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Postgraduate/PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Robert Gordon University: common questions

Is Imperial College London or Robert Gordon University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £18,300 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £6,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £19,060 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £20,840 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 Robert Gordon University?

Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemical Engineering, Management and 6 more.

Is Imperial College London or Robert Gordon University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £27,500 from Robert Gordon University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 85% at Robert Gordon University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Robert Gordon University offer more courses?

Imperial College London lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 24 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), Statistics and 16 more.

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

Robert Gordon University teaches 33 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, Information & Library Studies, Pharmacy, Adult Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Architecture and 25 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
R
Robert Gordon University151 courses · 43 scholarshipsBrowse Courses