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
Cambridge · QS World #6
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.
5/10
Imperial College London
scored higher in 5 categories
5/10
Cambridge
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
Imperial College London and University of Cambridge are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Imperial College London is ahead on ranking, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Cambridge on ranking, established, satisfaction, courses.
Imperial College London vs University of Cambridge at a glance
Imperial College London and University of Cambridge both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Biology. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Imperial College London is about £8,290 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Imperial College London is about £1,400 a year cheaper.
Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 4 and University of Cambridge in 1. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £44,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 3 and University of Cambridge in 2.
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 of Cambridge
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%
Cambridge
96 countries · 32.2% international
- 🇨🇳China28.2%
- 🇺🇸United States10.3%
- 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
- 🇮🇳India4.7%
Subjects
31 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 Cambridge
Mathematics
16 coursesTypical fee £32,250 (PG)
9 coursesTypical fee £41,060 (UG)
Computer Science
19 coursesTypical fee £24,600 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (UG)
Biology
15 coursesTypical fee £15,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £43,300 (PG)
Biomedical Sciences
Civil Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £45,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £42,470 (PG)
Physics
12 coursesTypical fee £38,900 (PG)
6 coursesTypical fee £35,030 (PG)
Chemistry
14 coursesTypical fee £30,250 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (PG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
11 coursesTypical fee £19,400 (PG)
4 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (PG)
General Engineering
5 coursesTypical fee £45,000 (PG)
10 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (UG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Business & Management (General)
Biochemistry
11 coursesTypical fee £15,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £41,300 (PG)
Clinical Specialities
Finance & Actuarial Science
Geology & Earth Sciences
Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Management, Politics & International Relations, Anatomy & Pathology, Statistics, Biotechnology, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Building & Construction, Medicine, Aerospace Engineering, Business Studies, Software Engineering.
Only at Imperial College London
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 Cambridge
- £32,890
Imperial College London is about £8,290 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Imperial College London
- £39,900
- University of Cambridge
- £41,300
Imperial College London is about £1,400 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 Cambridge
Mathematics
£53,500Salary (3 years)£44,50091%Satisfaction94%Computer Science
£64,000Salary (3 years)£63,50097%Satisfaction94%General Engineering
£46,500Salary (3 years)£39,50090%Satisfaction87%Chemical Engineering
£45,500Salary (3 years)£43,00089%Satisfaction94%Medicine
£45,000Salary (3 years)£47,50093%Satisfaction85%
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 of Cambridge
View all scholarships →FAQ
Imperial College London vs University of Cambridge: common questions
Is Imperial College London or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Imperial College London is about £8,290 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Imperial College London is about £1,400 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 Cambridge?
Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business & Management (General), Biochemistry and 19 more.
Is Imperial College London or University of Cambridge better for Mathematics?
Mathematics graduates earn a median £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £44,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Imperial College London and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Imperial College London or University of Cambridge offer more courses?
University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.
What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University of Cambridge?
Imperial College London teaches 11 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Materials Engineering, Healthcare Science, Mechanical Engineering and 3 more.
What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at Imperial College London?
University of Cambridge teaches 48 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Biological Sciences (General), History, Asian Languages & Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Archaeology, Architecture and 40 more.
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