Skip to main content

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 Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/12

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Brighton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Brighton is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Brighton at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Brighton both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £7,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £21,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 9 and University of Brighton in 0. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £28,000 from University of Brighton. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and University of Brighton in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#901
#8
THE World
#601
#5
Guardian UK
#68
1907
Established
1858
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Brighton

88.9%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
14.3%

International

International student share

254
255

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
22

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

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%

Subjects

27 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 Brighton

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Statistics, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mechanical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Management, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Software Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Brighton

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 Brighton
£17,250

University of Brighton is about £7,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Brighton
£18,790

University of Brighton is about £21,110 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 Brighton

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    97%Satisfaction81%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction75%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction82%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction98%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    91%Satisfaction75%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    97%Satisfaction82%

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 Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Brighton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £7,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £21,110 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 University of Brighton?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Business Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business & Management (General), Ecology & Conservation, Finance & Actuarial Science and 15 more.

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

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £31,000 from University of Brighton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Imperial College London and 80% at University of Brighton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Brighton lists 255 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 15 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Clinical Specialities and 7 more.

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

University of Brighton teaches 44 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Architecture, Law, Pharmacy, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 36 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 Brighton255 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses