Top universities in London: UCL or Imperial?

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.  

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. 

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.