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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

9/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Nottingham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Nottingham is ahead on established, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Nottingham at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Nottingham both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Health Sciences & Paramedic Science. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Imperial College London is about £8,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Nottingham is about £9,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 13 and University of Nottingham in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Nottingham is higher in 7 and Imperial College London 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
#97
#8
THE World
#145
#5
Guardian UK
#21
1907
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

88.9%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
21.1%

International

International student share

254
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

37 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Economics, Clinical Specialities, Politics & International Relations, Public Health & Epidemiology, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Statistics, Business Studies, Medicine, Genetics & Genomics, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

Imperial College London is about £8,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Nottingham
£30,800

University of Nottingham is about £9,100 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 Nottingham

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    97%Satisfaction79%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    76%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Ecology & Conservation

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

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Imperial College London is about £8,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Nottingham is about £9,100 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biochemistry and 25 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Nottingham better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £46,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £35,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Imperial College London and 86% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 5 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Astronomy & Astrophysics, Materials Engineering, Healthcare Science, Applied Biology & Human Biology and Software Engineering.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 61 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Philosophy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Architecture, Linguistics, History, Social Sciences (General) and 53 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses