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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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

Salford

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 Salford is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Salford at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Salford both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £7,560 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £22,190 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 13 and University of Salford in 0. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £23,500 from University of Salford. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and University of Salford 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
#1001
#8
THE World
#801
#5
Guardian UK
#82
1907
Established
1896
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 Salford

88.9%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
19.1%

International

International student share

254
305

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

Subjects

29 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 Salford

Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040

University of Salford is about £7,560 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Salford
£17,710

University of Salford is about £22,190 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 Salford

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    97%Satisfaction76%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    76%Satisfaction98%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    86%Satisfaction73%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction69%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    91%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Salford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £7,560 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £22,190 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 Salford?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Business Studies and 17 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £23,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 76% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Salford lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 13 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Anatomy & Pathology, Materials Engineering and 5 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 43 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing and 35 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 Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses