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As a city, London has plenty to offer - and so do its universities. However, when it comes to choosing the best university in England's capital, two London universities in particular stand out from the crowd.
International students: £23,300 to £31,200 annually for most undergraduate programmes.
Medicine: TBC (see UCL prospectus page for more information)
UK undergraduates: £9,250 per year
International students: £32,000 to £34,500 annually for most undergraduate programs
Medicine: £45,300 per year for international students
QS World University Rankings
Although both schools rank well across the majority of indicators, they clearly each have their strengths. UCL performs well in the academic reputation indicator; whereas Imperial enjoys a strong employer reputation.
Both schools have a high faculty/student ratio. Imperial also performs well in the research impact indicator.
Imperial and UCL are also both globally focused universities and rank well for percentage of student faculty members and international students.
Subject strengths
Rather than relying on the world ranking alone, it might be more useful to consider how these two universities perform for the subject you wish to study.
While UCL operates across the full academic spectrum, Imperial specialises primarily in science, engineering, management and medicine, and has a leading business school.
So, if your area of interest is one of the arts, humanities or social sciences disciplines, you should probably apply to UCL. Alongside world-leading departments of the arts and sciences, UCL also boasts a top-rated architecture school and one of the UK’s best art schools, the Slade School of Art.
You can get a closer insight into how UCL and Imperial compare for different disciplines in the table below.
UCL
Imperial College London
Arts and Humanities
=10
=193
Engineering and Technology
=35
7
Life Sciences and Medicine
9
7
Natural Sciences
=35
9
Social Sciences and Management
=19
48
Accounting and Finance
45
=20
Agriculture and Forestry
--
--
Anatomy and Physiology
8
26
Anthropology
4
--
Archaeology
3
--
Architecture and Built Environment
1
--
Art and Design
43
51-100
Biological Sciences
=6
=8
Business and Management Studies
104
29
Chemistry
21
11
Classics and Ancient History
21
--
Communication and Media Studies
42
--
Computer Science and Information Systems
22
16
Dentistry
28
--
Development Studies
14
51-100
Earth and Marine Sciences
=17
21
Economics and Econometrics
18
=30
Education and Training
1
--
Engineering - Chemical
20
8
Engineering - Civil and Structural
=35
7
Engineering - Electrical and Electronic
=45
11
Engineering - Mechanical
=103
11
Engineering - Mineral and Mining
--
--
English Language and Literature
12
--
Geophysics
=16
=34
Environmental Sciences
=28
11
Geology
=17
=32
Engineering - Petroleum
--
5
Geography
7
--
Veterinary Science
--
--
Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies
101-140
--
History
15
--
Statistics and Operational Research
29
8
Sports-Related Subjects
=37
--
Sociology
20
--
Social Policy and Administration
25
--
Psychology
5
--
Hospitality and Leisure Management
--
--
Law and Legal Studies
14
--
Physics and Astronomy
27
12
Philosophy
22
--
Library and Information Management
16
--
Pharmacy and Pharmacology
4
=8
Linguistics
17
--
Performing Arts
--
--
Mathematics
42
9
Medicine
6
8
Materials Sciences
=41
11
Modern Languages
17
--
Art History
16
--
Marketing
--
21-50
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
18
19
Nursing
--
--
Politics
=22
--
Music
--
--
Location
UCL and Imperial are both located in the centre of London, close to dynamic and culture-rich areas full of museums, galleries, theatres and more. However, there are some differences in location that might influence your student experience.
While Imperial’s South Kensington location is central relative to the sprawling immensity of the Greater London Area, it’s actually located a little to the west of central London. Not that this is a bad thing: Imperial is near Harrods, Hyde Park, and the Science Museum and Natural History Museum, meaning it’s based in one of London’s most attractive and desirable postcodes.
UCL’s Bloomsbury campus is a small enclave of calm amid London’s bustling centre. At equal distances from Soho and King’s Cross, and in walking distance to Chinatown and Piccadilly Circus, you couldn’t be much closer to the heart of the city.
One of UCL’s main student halls of residence is in nearby Camden Town, which is renowned for its lively social scene, famous market and live music. UCL’s central campus is next to the British Library, one of the most important and comprehensive research libraries in the world.
Meanwhile, Imperial’s main halls of residence are based near to its campus in West London, a well-heeled part of town with a slightly calmer atmosphere. Imperial’s location may be slightly more appealing to those who fancy some respite from the crowds, especially since it’s just a stone’s throw away from the large green spaces of Hyde Park.
Student community
UCL is one of the constituent colleges of the University of London, and one advantage of its Bloomsbury location is that it’s based in the middle of a huge student community. The main campus backs out onto a courtyard shared by SOAS and Birkbeck College, and the adjacent University of London Union is a hub of activity, from societies and student politics to live music and social events.
UCL’s total student population of 43,800 students puts it at the larger end of UK universities. When the student populations of the other nearby University of London colleges are factored in, its extended student community ranks among the largest in the world.
Imperial is slightly more self-contained, with a total student population less than half the size of UCL’s at around 19,904. Imperial was previously a member of the University of London - before becoming formally independent in 2007 - and its students are still integrated into the city’s wider student community. However, its location and independent status mean it remains separate, with a slightly more intimate community feel.
Tuition fees
Domestic students starting their undergraduate studies will pay £9,250 per year. At undergraduate level, international students at UCL can expect to pay around £23,300 to £31,200 for most programmes.
Imperial charges international students £32,000 to £34,500 annually for most of its undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with medicine coming in at £45,300 per year.
Science and engineering degrees at both universities are often three-year programs with an optional fourth year, leading to MSc or MEng qualifications. Undergraduate-level arts, humanities and social sciences degrees at UCL are nearly always three years in length.
While those overseas tuition fees might seem expensive, the good news is there are funding opportunities available for both universities.
UCL’s website offers a scholarship finder tool, allowing you to search for scholarships matching your subject and demographics.
Imperial offers one of the most generous bursary schemes in the country for home students – the Imperial Bursary. It also has a scholarship search tool, which provides you with more personalised results dependent on the level of detail you provide.
As well as looking on the official university websites, there are many external scholarships you could consider, including those funded by the UK government. One example is the British Chevening Scholarships, which aim to develop global leaders by providing full or part funding for graduate programs in any subject. You can browse other UK scholarships here.
Julia is the Assistant Editor for TopUniversities, publishing articles for students and graduates across the world. A native Londoner, she holds an MSc in Marketing Strategy & Innovation from Cass Business School and a BA in Classical Studies & English from Newcastle University.
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Top universities in London: UCL or Imperial?
Julia Gilmore
Updated Sep 10, 2024Save
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Table of contents
Table of contents
As a city, London has plenty to offer - and so do its universities. However, when it comes to choosing the best university in England's capital, two London universities in particular stand out from the crowd.
University College London (UCL) and Imperial College London are consistently two of the city's top performers in the QS World University Rankings.
To get a better idea of whether you’d be best suited to UCL or Imperial, here’s a quick overview of the key similarities and differences:
UCL (University College London)
Imperial College London
Location
Main campus is located in Bloomsbury, central London
Main campus is in South Kensington, west London
Student community
Around 43,800 students in total
53 percent international students
Around 19,904 students
Of these, around 60 percent are international.
Tuition fees
UK undergraduates: £9,250 per year
International students: £23,300 to £31,200 annually for most undergraduate programmes.
Medicine: TBC (see UCL prospectus page for more information)
UK undergraduates: £9,250 per year
International students: £32,000 to £34,500 annually for most undergraduate programs
Medicine: £45,300 per year for international students
QS World University Rankings
Although both schools rank well across the majority of indicators, they clearly each have their strengths. UCL performs well in the academic reputation indicator; whereas Imperial enjoys a strong employer reputation.
Both schools have a high faculty/student ratio. Imperial also performs well in the research impact indicator.
Imperial and UCL are also both globally focused universities and rank well for percentage of student faculty members and international students.
Subject strengths
Rather than relying on the world ranking alone, it might be more useful to consider how these two universities perform for the subject you wish to study.
While UCL operates across the full academic spectrum, Imperial specialises primarily in science, engineering, management and medicine, and has a leading business school.
So, if your area of interest is one of the arts, humanities or social sciences disciplines, you should probably apply to UCL. Alongside world-leading departments of the arts and sciences, UCL also boasts a top-rated architecture school and one of the UK’s best art schools, the Slade School of Art.
You can get a closer insight into how UCL and Imperial compare for different disciplines in the table below.
Location
UCL and Imperial are both located in the centre of London, close to dynamic and culture-rich areas full of museums, galleries, theatres and more. However, there are some differences in location that might influence your student experience.
While Imperial’s South Kensington location is central relative to the sprawling immensity of the Greater London Area, it’s actually located a little to the west of central London. Not that this is a bad thing: Imperial is near Harrods, Hyde Park, and the Science Museum and Natural History Museum, meaning it’s based in one of London’s most attractive and desirable postcodes.
UCL’s Bloomsbury campus is a small enclave of calm amid London’s bustling centre. At equal distances from Soho and King’s Cross, and in walking distance to Chinatown and Piccadilly Circus, you couldn’t be much closer to the heart of the city.
One of UCL’s main student halls of residence is in nearby Camden Town, which is renowned for its lively social scene, famous market and live music. UCL’s central campus is next to the British Library, one of the most important and comprehensive research libraries in the world.
Meanwhile, Imperial’s main halls of residence are based near to its campus in West London, a well-heeled part of town with a slightly calmer atmosphere. Imperial’s location may be slightly more appealing to those who fancy some respite from the crowds, especially since it’s just a stone’s throw away from the large green spaces of Hyde Park.
Student community
UCL is one of the constituent colleges of the University of London, and one advantage of its Bloomsbury location is that it’s based in the middle of a huge student community. The main campus backs out onto a courtyard shared by SOAS and Birkbeck College, and the adjacent University of London Union is a hub of activity, from societies and student politics to live music and social events.
UCL’s total student population of 43,800 students puts it at the larger end of UK universities. When the student populations of the other nearby University of London colleges are factored in, its extended student community ranks among the largest in the world.
Imperial is slightly more self-contained, with a total student population less than half the size of UCL’s at around 19,904. Imperial was previously a member of the University of London - before becoming formally independent in 2007 - and its students are still integrated into the city’s wider student community. However, its location and independent status mean it remains separate, with a slightly more intimate community feel.
Tuition fees
Domestic students starting their undergraduate studies will pay £9,250 per year. At undergraduate level, international students at UCL can expect to pay around £23,300 to £31,200 for most programmes.
Imperial charges international students £32,000 to £34,500 annually for most of its undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with medicine coming in at £45,300 per year.
Science and engineering degrees at both universities are often three-year programs with an optional fourth year, leading to MSc or MEng qualifications. Undergraduate-level arts, humanities and social sciences degrees at UCL are nearly always three years in length.
Testimonials
Financial aid
While those overseas tuition fees might seem expensive, the good news is there are funding opportunities available for both universities.
UCL’s website offers a scholarship finder tool, allowing you to search for scholarships matching your subject and demographics.
Imperial offers one of the most generous bursary schemes in the country for home students – the Imperial Bursary. It also has a scholarship search tool, which provides you with more personalised results dependent on the level of detail you provide.
As well as looking on the official university websites, there are many external scholarships you could consider, including those funded by the UK government. One example is the British Chevening Scholarships, which aim to develop global leaders by providing full or part funding for graduate programs in any subject. You can browse other UK scholarships here.
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Julia is the Assistant Editor for TopUniversities, publishing articles for students and graduates across the world. A native Londoner, she holds an MSc in Marketing Strategy & Innovation from Cass Business School and a BA in Classical Studies & English from Newcastle University.
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