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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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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.

7/10

Imperial College London

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Glasgow

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Glasgow is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Glasgow at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Glasgow both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Management and Physics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £24,740 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 16 and University of Glasgow in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £32,500 from University of Glasgow. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 14 and University of Glasgow in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#80
#8
THE World
#84
#5
Guardian UK
#12
1907
Established
1451
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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 Glasgow

88.9%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
35.9%

International

International student share

254
1022

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
4

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

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%

Subjects

37 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 Glasgow

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Business & Management (General), Software Engineering, Biotechnology, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Clinical Specialities, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Building & Construction, Genetics & Genomics, Applied Biology & Human Biology.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Glasgow

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 Glasgow
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Glasgow
£15,160

University of Glasgow is about £24,740 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 Glasgow

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction82%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    76%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    97%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction77%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction70%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction66%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    97%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Glasgow: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £24,740 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 Glasgow?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Mathematics, Management, Physics, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Economics, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biochemistry and 25 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £30,500 from University of Glasgow. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Imperial College London and 82% at University of Glasgow. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 5 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including Biology, General Engineering, Materials Engineering, Healthcare Science and Physical Geography & Climate.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 60 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including History, Spanish & Portuguese, Law, Psychology (General), Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training and 52 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 Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses