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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Southampton is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Southampton at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Southampton both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Civil Engineering. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Imperial College London is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £8,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 17 and University of Southampton in 2. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £32,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 10 and University of Southampton in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#111
#8
THE World
#129
#5
Guardian UK
#16
1907
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Southampton

88.9%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
35.1%

International

International student share

254
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

35 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Economics, Business Studies, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Management, Politics & International Relations, Software Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Healthcare Science, Building & Construction, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Human Geography & Environment.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

Imperial College London is about £1,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Southampton is about £8,700 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    97%Satisfaction80%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    76%Satisfaction87%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Imperial College London is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £8,700 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Biology and 23 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £46,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Imperial College London and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 7 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Materials Engineering, Applied Biology & Human Biology and Genetics & Genomics.

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

University of Southampton teaches 56 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, History, Ancient Languages, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Law and 48 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses