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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
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

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

Royal Holloway

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, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Royal Holloway, University of London is ahead on established, courses.

Imperial College London vs Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Imperial College London and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 20 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Geology & Earth Sciences. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Imperial College London is about £2,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £13,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#485
#8
THE World
#401
#5
Guardian UK
#45
1907
Established
1879
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

Royal Holloway, University of London

88.9%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
16.7%

International

International student share

254
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

20 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Business Studies, Genetics & Genomics.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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 Holloway, University of London
£26,800

Imperial College London is about £2,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £13,500 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    97%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction98%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    76%Satisfaction94%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

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 →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

Is Imperial College London or Royal Holloway, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Imperial College London is about £2,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £13,500 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 20 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Physics, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Biology, Management, Business & Management (General), Ecology & Conservation and 8 more.

Is Imperial College London or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

Imperial College London teaches 22 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Statistics, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering and 14 more.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at Imperial College London?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 40 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, Sociology & Criminology, Music, History, German & Scandinavian Studies, Classical Studies, Drama & Theatre, English Literature and 32 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
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses