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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

10/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Swansea

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Swansea University is ahead on courses.

Imperial College London vs Swansea University at a glance

Imperial College London and Swansea University both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £3,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £16,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 18 and Swansea University in 1. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £31,500 from Swansea University. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 12 and Swansea University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#322
#8
THE World
#301
#5
Guardian UK
#32
1907
Established
1920
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

Swansea University

88.9%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
14.1%

International

International student share

254
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
5

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

Subjects

39 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

Swansea University

Also taught at both: Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Biomedical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Design & Fashion, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Public Health & Epidemiology, Clinical Specialities, Healthcare Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Management, Software Engineering, Medicine.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Swansea 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
Swansea University
£21,550

Swansea University is about £3,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Swansea University
£22,950

Swansea University is about £16,950 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

Swansea University

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    76%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction69%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction99%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Swansea University: common questions

Is Imperial College London or Swansea University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £3,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £16,950 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 Swansea University?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biology, Biomedical Sciences and 27 more.

Is Imperial College London or Swansea University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £31,500 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 84% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Swansea University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 3 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Statistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology and Applied Biology & Human Biology.

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

Swansea University teaches 58 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, Sociology & Criminology, History, Teacher Training, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Psychology (General) and 50 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
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses