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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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.

10/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Leicester

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Leicester is ahead on courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Leicester at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Leicester both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Chemistry. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £25,100 at University of Leicester: Imperial College London is about £500 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 Leicester in 1. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £35,500 from University of Leicester. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and University of Leicester in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#314
#8
THE World
#192
#5
Guardian UK
#30
1907
Established
1921
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Leicester

88.9%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
19.3%

International

International student share

254
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

31 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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Economics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Statistics, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Software Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Medicine, Business Studies, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100

Imperial College London is about £500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Leicester
No data

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

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 Leicester

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    97%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    91%Satisfaction79%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    76%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction96%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    97%Satisfaction76%

  • Medicine

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

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 Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £25,100 at University of Leicester: Imperial College London is about £500 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Politics & International Relations, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science and 19 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £36,000 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 83% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leicester lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 11 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Design & Fashion, Chemical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Building & Construction and 3 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 41 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Law, Childhood & Youth Studies, History, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General) and 33 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 Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses