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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 Lancashire

Preston · QS World #1001

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

Lancashire

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Imperial College London vs University of Lancashire at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Lancashire both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Mathematics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £7,270 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £20,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 12 and University of Lancashire 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 Lancashire. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and University of Lancashire in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#1001
#8
THE World
#1001
#5
Guardian UK
#76
1907
Established
1828
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 Lancashire

88.9%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
20.5%

International

International student share

254
363

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
15

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

Lancashire

74 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
  • 🌐Nepal6.6%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.4%

Subjects

25 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 Lancashire

Also taught at both: Astronomy & Astrophysics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Healthcare Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Lancashire

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 Lancashire
£17,330

University of Lancashire is about £7,270 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Lancashire
£19,250

University of Lancashire is about £20,650 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 Lancashire

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    97%Satisfaction71%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    76%Satisfaction86%

  • Medicine

    £45,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction71%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    92%Satisfaction71%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    97%Satisfaction73%

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 Lancashire

Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers

100%

Deadline: N/A

Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Estranged Student Support

See details

Deadline: N/A

Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Lancashire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £7,270 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £20,650 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 Lancashire?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Biology, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physics, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Aerospace Engineering and 13 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £24,500 from University of Lancashire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 71% at University of Lancashire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Lancashire lists 363 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 17 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Chemistry, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Statistics, Biotechnology and 9 more.

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

University of Lancashire teaches 57 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Music, Psychology (General), Social Work, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Adult Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation 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 Lancashire363 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses