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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

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.

11/12

Imperial College London

scored higher in 11 categories

VS

1/12

Kent

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 11 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Kent is ahead on courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Kent at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Kent both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Biology and Mathematics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £23,500 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £1,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £19,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 13 and University of Kent in 0. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £36,500 from University of Kent. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 9 and University of Kent in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#415
#8
THE World
#401
#5
Guardian UK
#47
1907
Established
1965
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 Kent

88.9%
84%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
16%

International

International student share

254
335

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

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%

Subjects

26 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 Kent

Also taught at both: Management, Design & Fashion, Statistics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Genetics & Genomics.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500

University of Kent is about £1,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Kent
£20,700

University of Kent is about £19,200 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 Kent

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    97%Satisfaction79%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    76%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction73%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    97%Satisfaction76%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    91%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 Kent

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Kent: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £23,500 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £1,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £19,200 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 Kent?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Business & Management (General) and 14 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £37,000 from University of Kent. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 79% at University of Kent. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Kent lists 335 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 16 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Civil Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology and 8 more.

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

University of Kent teaches 37 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Law, Applied Psychology, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Accounting, History and 29 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 Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses