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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Imperial College London

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Liverpool

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Liverpool is ahead on established, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Liverpool at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Liverpool both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Imperial College London is about £7,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Liverpool is about £9,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 17 and University of Liverpool in 1. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £33,000 from University of Liverpool. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 10 and University of Liverpool 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
#139
#8
THE World
#143
#5
Guardian UK
#28
1907
Established
1881
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Liverpool

88.9%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
24.1%

International

International student share

254
793

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
2

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

35 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mechanical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Specialities, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Applied Biology & Human Biology.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

Imperial College London is about £7,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Liverpool
£30,000

University of Liverpool is about £9,900 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 Liverpool

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    97%Satisfaction77%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    76%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Imperial College London is about £7,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Liverpool is about £9,900 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Mathematics, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Biology, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 23 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Liverpool better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £26,500 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Imperial College London and 82% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 7 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Statistics, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Materials Engineering, Healthcare Science and Genetics & Genomics.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 59 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Music, Archaeology, Sociology & Criminology, History, Asian Languages & Studies, Media & Film Studies, Law, English Studies and 51 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses