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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 Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/12

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Reading

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Reading at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Reading both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £25,850 at University of Reading: Imperial College London is about £1,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £13,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 9 and University of Reading in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £35,000 from University of Reading. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 5 and University of Reading in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#196
#8
THE World
#201
#5
Guardian UK
#33
1907
Established
1892
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Reading

88.9%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
18%

International

International student share

254
448

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

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

  • 🇨🇳China26%
  • 🇮🇳India6.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%

Subjects

25 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 Reading

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Reading

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 Reading
£25,850

Imperial College London is about £1,250 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £13,450 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 Reading

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    97%Satisfaction76%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction98%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

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 Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £25,850 at University of Reading: Imperial College London is about £1,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £13,450 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 Reading?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Economics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion and 13 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £30,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Imperial College London and 86% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 17 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology and 9 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 45 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including History, Law, Marketing, Psychology (General), Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature, Philosophy, Food Science 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 Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses