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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 Lincoln

Lincoln · QS World #851

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

Lincoln

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Imperial College London vs University of Lincoln at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Lincoln both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Chemistry. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Lincoln offers 343 courses across 81 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £18,300 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £6,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,800 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £21,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 10 and University of Lincoln in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £29,500 from University of Lincoln. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and University of Lincoln in 4.

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
#38
1907
Established
1861
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 Lincoln

88.9%
84.2%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
20.5%

International

International student share

254
343

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
21

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

Lincoln

47 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan24.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria22.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam2.4%
  • 🇨🇳China2.2%

Subjects

29 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 Lincoln

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Biotechnology, Business Studies, Economics, Building & Construction, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Lincoln

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 Lincoln
£18,300

University of Lincoln is about £6,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Lincoln
£18,800

University of Lincoln is about £21,100 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 Lincoln

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    97%Satisfaction73%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction77%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    76%Satisfaction89%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction98%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction75%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Mechanical Engineering

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

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 Lincoln

Chevening Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Canada Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

European Union Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

South Asia Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

South East Asia Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Lincoln: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £18,300 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £6,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,800 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £21,100 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 Lincoln?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Design & Fashion, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Ecology & Conservation, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 17 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £29,500 from University of Lincoln. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 73% at University of Lincoln. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Lincoln lists 343 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 13 subject areas that University of Lincoln does not, including Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Management, Materials Engineering and 5 more.

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

University of Lincoln teaches 52 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Animal Science, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Film Production & Cinematography and 44 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 Lincoln343 courses · 21 scholarshipsBrowse Courses