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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Imperial College London

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Sunderland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction.

Imperial College London vs University of Sunderland at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Sunderland both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Chemistry and Mathematics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £22,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £25,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 4 and University of Sunderland in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
—
#8
THE World
#1501
#5
Guardian UK
#86
1907
Established
1901
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 Sunderland

88.9%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
36.5%

International

International student share

254
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

21 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Management, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Healthcare Science, Economics, Medicine.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £7,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £22,900 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 Sunderland

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    97%Satisfaction78%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction76%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction82%

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    97%Satisfaction92%

  • Healthcare Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £22,900 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Computer Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Design & Fashion, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 9 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Sunderland 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 Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 78% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Imperial College London lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 21 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Civil Engineering, Biology, Physics, Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 13 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 35 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Marketing, Psychology (General) and 27 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses