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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 York

York · QS World #158

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.

9/10

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

York

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of York is ahead on courses.

Imperial College London vs University of York at a glance

Imperial College London and University of York both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Chemistry. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £27,500 at University of York: Imperial College London is about £2,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £12,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 14 and University of York in 0. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £28,500 from University of York. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and University of York in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#158
#8
THE World
#154
#5
Guardian UK
#20
1907
Established
1963
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

88.9%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
18.6%

International

International student share

254
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

32 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 York

Also taught at both: Astronomy & Astrophysics, Design & Fashion, Economics, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biotechnology, Business Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Healthcare Science, Mechanical Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

Imperial College London is about £2,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of York
£27,250

University of York is about £12,650 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 York

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    97%Satisfaction73%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    76%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £27,500 at University of York: Imperial College London is about £2,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £12,650 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 York?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biology, Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation and 20 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £40,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 73% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

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

Imperial College London teaches 10 subject areas that University of York does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Statistics, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Medicine and 2 more.

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

University of York teaches 50 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Philosophy, Music, Archaeology, English Studies, Law, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sociology & Criminology, History and 42 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses