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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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

Plymouth

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 Plymouth is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Plymouth both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Geology & Earth Sciences. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £5,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £20,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 10 and University of Plymouth in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £28,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 4 and University of Plymouth in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#691
#8
THE World
#501
#5
Guardian UK
#56
1907
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

88.9%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
11.9%

International

International student share

254
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

30 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Economics, Human Geography & Environment, Anatomy & Pathology, Software Engineering, Medicine.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £5,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £20,400 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 Plymouth

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    97%Satisfaction72%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction97%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Medicine

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    93%Satisfaction79%

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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £5,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £20,400 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Biology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 18 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £28,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 72% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 12 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Biochemistry, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and 4 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 48 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Psychology (General), Law, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Sociology & Criminology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 40 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses