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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

7/10

Imperial College London

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.

Imperial College London vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Imperial College London and University of the West of Scotland both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £23,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and University of the West of Scotland in 1. The widest gap is in Physics: £44,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 5 and Imperial College London in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
—
#8
THE World
#601
#5
Guardian UK
#115
1907
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

88.9%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
30.3%

International

International student share

254
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

17 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Human Geography & Environment.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £9,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £23,620 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 the West of Scotland

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction99%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    76%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Healthcare Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Imperial College London or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £23,620 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology and 5 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of the West of Scotland better for Chemistry?

Chemistry graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Imperial College London and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Imperial College London lists 254 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Imperial College London teaches 25 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Statistics and 17 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Imperial College London?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 32 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Sciences (General) and 24 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses