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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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

Chester

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Imperial College London vs University of Chester at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Chester both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £9,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £24,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and University of Chester in 0. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £23,000 from University of Chester. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and University of Chester in 0.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
—
#8
THE World
#1501
#5
Guardian UK
#91
1907
Established
1839
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 Chester

88.9%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
28.7%

International

International student share

254
329

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

21 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 Chester

Also taught at both: Public Health & Epidemiology, Biotechnology, Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Building & Construction, Medicine.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

University of Chester is about £9,650 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Chester
£15,500

University of Chester is about £24,400 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 Chester

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%SatisfactionNo data

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction75%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction76%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction66%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction69%

  • Medicine

    £45,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction84%

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 Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Chester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £9,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £24,400 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 Chester?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Software Engineering and 9 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Chester better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £23,000 from University of Chester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 83% at University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Chester lists 329 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 21 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Civil Engineering, Physics, Biochemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 13 more.

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

University of Chester teaches 52 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Law, Archaeology, Geography (General), Marketing and 44 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 Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses