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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Leeds

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Leeds is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Leeds at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Leeds both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Physics and Computer Science. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Imperial College London 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 £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Leeds is about £8,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 15 and University of Leeds in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £42,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 11 and University of Leeds in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#77
#8
THE World
#118
#5
Guardian UK
#15
1907
Established
1904
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Leeds

88.9%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
31.5%

International

International student share

254
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

38 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Management, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Statistics, Human Geography & Environment, Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, General Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Genetics & Genomics, Anatomy & Pathology, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Healthcare Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

Imperial College London is about £9,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Leeds
£31,500

University of Leeds is about £8,400 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 Leeds

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

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

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    97%Satisfaction79%

  • Chemistry

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

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction81%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction82%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction78%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Imperial College London 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 £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Leeds is about £8,400 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Biology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Economics, Politics & International Relations and 26 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Leeds better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £31,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Imperial College London and 89% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 4 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Clinical Specialities, Building & Construction and Applied Biology & Human Biology.

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

University of Leeds teaches 72 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, Music, Sociology & Criminology, History, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Education Studies, Personal & Professional Development and 64 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses