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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

5/10

Imperial College London

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Oxford

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London and University of Oxford are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Imperial College London is ahead on ranking, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Oxford on ranking, established, satisfaction, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Oxford at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Oxford both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Imperial College London is about £19,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Oxford is about £1,470 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and University of Oxford in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £51,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 4 and University of Oxford in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#4
#8
THE World
#1
#5
Guardian UK
#1
1907
Established
1096
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 Oxford

88.9%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
37.2%

International

International student share

254
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

34 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Economics, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Design & Fashion, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Business Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

Imperial College London is about £19,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Oxford
£38,430

University of Oxford is about £1,470 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 Oxford

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    97%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    76%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • Medicine

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    93%Satisfaction97%

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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Imperial College London is about £19,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Oxford is about £1,470 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, General Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biochemistry, Clinical Specialities, Biomedical Sciences and 22 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £51,500 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 92% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 8 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Healthcare Science, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Biology & Human Biology.

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

University of Oxford teaches 45 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Classical Studies, History, Childhood & Youth Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, English Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, French and 37 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses