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.
Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2
London
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
6/8
Imperial College London
scored higher in 6 categories
2/8
Royal College of Music
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Imperial College London leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Royal College of Music is ahead on established, employment.
Imperial College London vs Royal College of Music at a glance
Imperial College London and Royal College of Music have no subject area in common. Imperial College London's largest is Computer Science; Royal College of Music's is Music.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £32,760 at Royal College of Music: Royal College of Music is about £7,140 a year cheaper.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Imperial College London
Royal College of Music
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Royal College of Music
37 countries · 48.2% international
- 🇨🇳China35.4%
- 🇺🇸United States10.4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.3%
- 🇦🇺Australia3.1%
- 🇫🇷France3.1%
Subjects
No subjects in common
Imperial College London and Royal College of Music do not teach any of the same subject areas.
Only at Imperial College London
Only at Royal College of Music
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
- Royal College of Music
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Royal College of Music yet.
Postgraduate
- Imperial College London
- £39,900
- Royal College of Music
- £32,760
Royal College of Music is about £7,140 a year cheaper.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveImperial 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
Royal College of Music
Adami Award for Collaborative Piano Fellows
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Fellowship in Historical Keyboards
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Gilbert & Eileen Edgar and Anthony Saltmarsh CPF
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Lord & Lady Lurgan Collaborative Piano Fellowship
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Carne Junior Fellowship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Imperial College London vs Royal College of Music: common questions
Is Imperial College London or Royal College of Music cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £32,760 at Royal College of Music: Royal College of Music is about £7,140 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.
Does Imperial College London or Royal College of Music offer more courses?
Imperial College London lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and Royal College of Music lists 39 courses.
What can you study at Imperial College London but not at Royal College of Music?
Imperial College London teaches 42 subject areas that Royal College of Music does not, including Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 34 more.
What can you study at Royal College of Music but not at Imperial College London?
Royal College of Music teaches 2 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Music and Cognitive & Experimental Psychology.
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