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
Birmingham
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
9/9
Imperial College London
scored higher in 9 categories
0/9
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 0 categories
Quick Verdict
Imperial College London leads in 9 of 9 categories where both have data (Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham does not lead in any category where both have data.
Imperial College London vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Imperial College London and University College Birmingham both teach 13 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Business & Management (General). Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £11,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £22,900 a year cheaper.
Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 3 and University College Birmingham in 0.
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
University College Birmingham
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%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
13 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
University College Birmingham
Computer Science
19 coursesTypical fee £24,600 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Civil Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £45,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Building & Construction
Design & Fashion
Business Studies
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Public Health & Epidemiology
Mechanical Engineering
Software Engineering
Politics & International Relations
Only at Imperial College London
Only at University College Birmingham
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
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £11,100 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Imperial College London
- £39,900
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £22,900 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
University College Birmingham
Computer Science
£64,000Salary (3 years)No data97%Satisfaction87%Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
£65,000Salary (3 years)No data97%Satisfaction86%Software Engineering
£65,000Salary (3 years)No data97%Satisfaction89%
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
University College Birmingham
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
100%
Deadline: N/A
Dean's Award
50%
Deadline: N/A
Early Action Scholarship
£4,500
Deadline: Jul 2026
Alumni Scholarship
25%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Imperial College London vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Imperial College London or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £11,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £22,900 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 University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 13 subject areas: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering and 1 more.
Does Imperial College London or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
Imperial College London lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University College Birmingham?
Imperial College London teaches 29 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation and 21 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Imperial College London?
University College Birmingham teaches 23 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Sociology & Criminology and 15 more.
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