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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 Hertfordshire

Hatfield · QS World #851

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/12

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Hertfordshire

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Hertfordshire is ahead on employment, international, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Hertfordshire at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Hertfordshire both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Design & Fashion. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Hertfordshire offers 468 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £9,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £21,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 11 and University of Hertfordshire in 1. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £32,000 from University of Hertfordshire. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and University of Hertfordshire in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#851
#8
THE World
#601
#5
Guardian UK
#69
1907
Established
1952
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 Hertfordshire

88.9%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
57.5%

International

International student share

254
468

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
0

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

Hertfordshire

77 countries · 57.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India44.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.5%
  • 🇨🇳China1.8%

Subjects

32 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 Hertfordshire

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Ecology & Conservation, General Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Building & Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Statistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Software Engineering, Economics, Healthcare Science, Medicine.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Hertfordshire

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 Hertfordshire
£15,500

University of Hertfordshire is about £9,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Hertfordshire
£18,000

University of Hertfordshire is about £21,900 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 Hertfordshire

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    97%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    76%Satisfaction89%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction81%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction67%

  • Healthcare Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

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 Hertfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Hertfordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £9,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £21,900 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 Hertfordshire?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business Studies, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Clinical Specialities and 20 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £32,000 from University of Hertfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 78% at University of Hertfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Hertfordshire lists 468 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 10 subject areas that University of Hertfordshire does not, including Chemistry, Biochemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Management, Materials Engineering, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 2 more.

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

University of Hertfordshire teaches 54 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Psychology (General), Marketing, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography and 46 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 Hertfordshire468 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses