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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

9/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

South Wales

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of South Wales is ahead on employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of South Wales at a glance

Imperial College London and University of South Wales both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Healthcare Science and Civil Engineering. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £8,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £22,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 8 and University of South Wales in 0. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and University of South Wales in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#1201
#8
THE World
#1201
#5
Guardian UK
#83
1907
Established
1913
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

88.9%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
22%

International

International student share

254
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

23 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Statistics, Business Studies, General Engineering, Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £8,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £22,000 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 South Wales

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    97%Satisfaction90%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    97%Satisfaction81%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of South Wales: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £8,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £22,000 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Healthcare Science, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, Design & Fashion, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Building & Construction, Biomedical Sciences and 11 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of South Wales better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £28,500 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Imperial College London and 83% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 19 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Mathematics, Physics, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering and 11 more.

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

University of South Wales teaches 40 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Psychology (General), Law, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Childhood & Youth Studies and 32 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses