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 · QS World #458
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.
11/12
Imperial College London
scored higher in 11 categories
1/12
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
Imperial College London leads in 11 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). SOAS University of London is ahead on courses.
Imperial College London vs SOAS University of London at a glance
Imperial College London and SOAS University of London both teach 7 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering and Business & Management (General). Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £820 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £14,580 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
SOAS University of London
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%
SOAS University of London
67 countries · 25.7% international
- 🇨🇳China10.9%
- 🇮🇳India10.6%
- 🇺🇸United States9.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
- 🇫🇷France3.6%
Subjects
7 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
SOAS University of London
Politics & International Relations
1 courseTypical fee £57,000 (PG)
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Civil Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £45,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £25,320 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
11 coursesTypical fee £19,400 (PG)
3 coursesFee not available
Economics
2 coursesFee not available
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Management
Only at Imperial College 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
- SOAS University of London
- £23,780
SOAS University of London is about £820 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Imperial College London
- £39,900
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
SOAS University of London is about £14,580 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
SOAS University of London
SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship
£20,000
Deadline: May 2026
SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship
£15,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme
100%
Deadline: N/A
SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: May 2026
FAQ
Imperial College London vs SOAS University of London: common questions
Is Imperial College London or SOAS 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 £23,780 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £820 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £14,580 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 SOAS University of London?
Both universities teach 7 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science and Management.
Does Imperial College London or SOAS University of London offer more courses?
SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.
What can you study at Imperial College London but not at SOAS University of London?
Imperial College London teaches 35 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation and 27 more.
What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Imperial College London?
SOAS University of London teaches 22 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Law, History of Art & Design and 14 more.
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