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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
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

8/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Birmingham is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Birmingham both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations and Computer Science. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Imperial College London is about £2,490 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £16,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 16 and University of Birmingham in 1. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 12 and University of Birmingham in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#68
#8
THE World
#98
#5
Guardian UK
#18
1907
Established
1900
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

University of Birmingham

88.9%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
31.2%

International

International student share

254
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
3

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

36 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Microbiology & Cell Biology, General Engineering, Business Studies, Economics, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Management, Statistics, Biotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Healthcare Science, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Genetics & Genomics, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of 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 of Birmingham
£27,090

Imperial College London is about £2,490 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £16,510 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 of Birmingham

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction78%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    97%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    76%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction82%

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 →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Imperial College London or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Imperial College London is about £2,490 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £16,510 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), Biology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry and 24 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Birmingham better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £33,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Imperial College London and 78% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 6 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Building & Construction and Applied Biology & Human Biology.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 65 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, International Development, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing and 57 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
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses