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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
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/10

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Ulster

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on employment.

Imperial College London vs Ulster University at a glance

Imperial College London and Ulster University both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Biology. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £7,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and Ulster University in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#595
#8
THE World
#601
#5
Guardian UK
#60
1907
Established
1968
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

Ulster University

88.9%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
32.5%

International

International student share

254
170

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
0

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

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%

Subjects

25 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

Ulster University

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Economics, Management, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Politics & International Relations, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Ulster 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
Ulster University
£17,490

Ulster University is about £7,110 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Ulster University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University yet.

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

Ulster University

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction79%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction100%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction98%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction77%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction79%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction85%

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 →

Ulster University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Ulster University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £7,110 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 Ulster University?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business Studies, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Finance & Actuarial Science and 13 more.

Does Imperial College London or Ulster University offer more courses?

Imperial College London lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 17 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Business & Management (General), Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 9 more.

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

Ulster University teaches 41 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, Accounting, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Work, Irish Studies, Journalism, Marketing and 33 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
Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses