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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

Bristol

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). University of Bristol is ahead on established, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Bristol at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Bristol both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Imperial College London is about £6,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £28,460 at University of Bristol: University of Bristol is about £11,440 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 14 and University of Bristol in 1. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £34,500 from University of Bristol. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and University of Bristol in 5, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#57
#8
THE World
#80
#5
Guardian UK
#13
1907
Established
1876
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 Bristol

88.9%
88%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£43,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
77.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
33.6%

International

International student share

254
479

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
54

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

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%

Subjects

33 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 Bristol

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Design & Fashion, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Medicine, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Healthcare Science, Human Geography & Environment, Public Health & Epidemiology, Business Studies, Materials Engineering, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300

Imperial College London is about £6,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Bristol
£28,460

University of Bristol is about £11,440 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 Bristol

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    76%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    97%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction97%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    97%Satisfaction86%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction73%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Bristol: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Imperial College London is about £6,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £28,460 at University of Bristol: University of Bristol is about £11,440 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 Bristol?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Economics, Management, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Anatomy & Pathology, Biology and 21 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Bristol better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £34,500 from University of Bristol. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Imperial College London and 87% at University of Bristol. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 9 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Clinical Specialities, Building & Construction, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 1 more.

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

University of Bristol teaches 50 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, History, Ancient Languages, English Studies, Philosophy, Psychology (General) and 42 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 Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses