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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

8/10

Imperial College London

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Exeter

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Exeter is ahead on employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Exeter at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Exeter both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Politics & International Relations and Physics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £24,950 at University of Exeter: Imperial College London is about £350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £14,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 13 and University of Exeter in 1. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £40,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 10 and University of Exeter in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#136
#8
THE World
#170
#5
Guardian UK
#14
1907
Established
1922
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Exeter

88.9%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
22.2%

International

International student share

254
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

34 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering, Business Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Clinical Specialities, Statistics, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Building & Construction, Genetics & Genomics, Medicine, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

Imperial College London is about £350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Exeter
£25,550

University of Exeter is about £14,350 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 Exeter

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    76%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    97%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction59%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    97%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £24,950 at University of Exeter: Imperial College London is about £350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £14,350 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ecology & Conservation and 22 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £32,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Imperial College London and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 8 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Healthcare Science and Microbiology & Cell Biology.

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

University of Exeter teaches 57 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including History, Law, Classical Studies, English Studies, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies and 49 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses