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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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

Derby

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Imperial College London vs University of Derby at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Derby both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering and Design & Fashion. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £7,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £22,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and University of Derby in 0. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £24,500 from University of Derby. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and University of Derby in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#1201
#8
THE World
#601
#5
Guardian UK
#80
1907
Established
1851
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Derby

88.9%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
14.3%

International

International student share

254
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

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 Derby

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Politics & International Relations, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Human Geography & Environment.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £7,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £22,400 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 Derby

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    97%Satisfaction73%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    82%Satisfaction98%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    97%Satisfaction78%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    97%Satisfaction78%

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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Derby: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £7,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £22,400 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 Derby?

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

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

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £29,000 from University of Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Imperial College London and 92% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 15 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Anatomy & Pathology and 7 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 47 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General), English Studies, Law, Media & Film Studies and 39 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses