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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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.

9/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). UCL (University College London) is ahead on established, courses.

Imperial College London vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Imperial College London and UCL (University College London) both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Biomedical Sciences. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Imperial College London is about £5,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): UCL (University College London) is about £5,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 15 and UCL (University College London) in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £51,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 13 and UCL (University College London) in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#8
#8
THE World
#22
#5
Guardian UK
#9
1907
Established
1826
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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

UCL (University College London)

88.9%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
51.9%

International

International student share

254
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

40 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: Management, Biochemistry, General Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Clinical Specialities, Ecology & Conservation, Building & Construction, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Anatomy & Pathology, Healthcare Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, Software Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Business Studies.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at UCL (University 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

Imperial College London is about £5,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

UCL (University College London) is about £5,200 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

UCL (University College London)

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£51,000
    97%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    90%Satisfaction73%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    76%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is Imperial College London or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Imperial College London is about £5,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): UCL (University College London) is about £5,200 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Economics, Biology and 28 more.

Is Imperial College London or UCL (University College London) better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £51,000 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 80% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at UCL (University College London)?

Imperial College London teaches 2 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Materials Engineering and Aerospace Engineering.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Imperial College London?

UCL (University College London) teaches 69 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, French, Planning & Housing and 61 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
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses