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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

S
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

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.

5/8

Imperial College London

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

Southampton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Southampton, Solent University is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs Southampton, Solent University at a glance

Imperial College London and Southampton, Solent University both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £21,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and Southampton, Solent University in 0. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £25,000 from Southampton, Solent University. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and Southampton, Solent University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
—
#8
THE World
—
#5
Guardian UK
—
1907
Established
1855
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

Southampton, Solent University

88.9%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
14.9%

International

International student share

254
294

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
11

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

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%

Subjects

16 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

Southampton, Solent University

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Southampton, Solent 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
Southampton, Solent University
£19,080

Southampton, Solent University is about £5,520 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Southampton, Solent University
£18,350

Southampton, Solent University is about £21,550 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

Southampton, Solent University

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

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 →

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Southampton, Solent University: common questions

Is Imperial College London or Southampton, Solent University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £21,550 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 Southampton, Solent University?

Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Management, Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering and 4 more.

Is Imperial College London or Southampton, Solent University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £25,000 from Southampton, Solent University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 84% at Southampton, Solent University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Southampton, Solent University offer more courses?

Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at Southampton, Solent University?

Imperial College London teaches 26 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Civil Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering and 18 more.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at Imperial College London?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 26 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Law, Music, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 18 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
S
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses