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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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

Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Portsmouth both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Civil Engineering. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £6,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £21,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 14 and University of Portsmouth in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and University of Portsmouth 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
#662
#8
THE World
#401
#5
Guardian UK
#55
1907
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

88.9%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
24.5%

International

International student share

254
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

32 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Anatomy & Pathology, Software Engineering, Healthcare Science, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £6,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £21,300 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 Portsmouth

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    97%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction98%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    76%Satisfaction97%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £6,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £21,300 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Management, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Politics & International Relations, Biology, General Engineering, Business Studies and 20 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 82% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 10 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Chemistry, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 2 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 52 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies, Law, Accounting, Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses