With over 40 universities in London, there has never been more choice for students in the capital.
And if you’re looking at top universities, University College London and Imperial College London are bound to be high on your list.
So, what separates these London institutions? And is one any better than the other?
In this comprehensive university comparison, we’ll delve into the prestige, specialisations, rankings, reputation, and admissions criteria of both UCL and Imperial.
With the most up-to-date insights into UCL and Imperial, you can make informed decisions and choose a university that best aligns with your academic ambitions.
Ready? Let’s compare.
In this article:
- UCL vs Imperial: A Brief Introduction
- Is UCL better than Imperial College London?
- Is UCL or Imperial more prestigious?
- How far is UCL from Imperial?
- UCL vs Imperial: Reputation
- Why is UCL so prestigious?
- What is Imperial College London famous for?
- Is a degree from UCL respected?
- Is LSE more prestigious than UCL?
- UCL vs Imperial: Admissions
- Is UCL hard to get into?
- Is Imperial College London hard to get into?
- What is the hardest course to get into at Imperial?
- UCL vs Imperial: Quickfire Comparisons
- Is UCL as good as Oxbridge?
- Is Imperial better than Oxford?
- Is UCL as good as Harvard?
- Is Imperial College London better than Harvard?
- Is UCL as good as the Ivy League?
- Are you applying to university in London?
Table of Contents
UCL vs Imperial: A Brief Introduction
Founded in 1826, UCL is renowned as London’s first university and a pioneer in interdisciplinary education and research. Situated in the heart of Bloomsbury, UCL boasts a vibrant and diverse community of students and scholars from around the world. With a commitment to academic excellence, innovation and social engagement, UCL has earned its place among the world’s leading universities.
Imperial College London, established in 1907, is synonymous with excellence in science, engineering, medicine and business. Located in South Kensington, Imperial’s iconic campus is home to cutting-edge research facilities, world-class laboratories and a dynamic community of students and researchers. With a focus on addressing global challenges and driving technological advancements, Imperial is at the forefront of pioneering research.
Is UCL better than Imperial College London?
Let’s cut straight to the chase. Which is better? UCL or Imperial? Well, overall, Imperial College London trumps UCL in most national university league tables. These rankings use a mixture of student satisfaction, academic achievement and research quality to rank each university in the country.
Here are Imperial and UCL’s 2024 rankings.
- Imperial: 6th
- UCL: 9th
- Imperial: 5th
- UCL: 8th
The Times Higher Education Guide
- Imperial: 3rd
- UCL: 4th
Of course, comparing UCL and Imperial involves considering each institution’s strengths, specialisms and academic offerings. While one university might excel in a particular subject – the other might not even offer this degree! So which university is “better” will come down to your individual preferences, academic interests and career goals.
It’s always best to check league tables for your specific subject, to see how each university compares.
Is UCL or Imperial more prestigious?
Both UCL and Imperial College London are highly prestigious institutions with global recognition for academic excellence and research impact.
UCL’s interdisciplinary approach, rich history and diverse academic community contribute to its esteemed reputation, while Imperial’s focus on science, engineering, medicine and business solidifies its standing as a leading research-intensive university.
In the latest QS World University Rankings, UCL beat Imperial for “academic reputation”. On the other hand, Imperial led the way for “employer reputation”.
Here’s a breakdown of each university’s performance.
- Overall: 6th
- Academic Reputation: 98.3
- Employer Reputation: 99.4
- Employment Outcomes: 83
- International Research Network: 96.7
- Faculty Student Ratio: 98.5
- Overall: 9th
- Academic Reputation: 99.5
- Employer Reputation: 97.9
- Employment Outcomes: 51.6
- International Research Network: 100
- Faculty Student Ratio: 98.4
So if you’re searching for a university with an outstanding academic reputation and a global research network helping you work anywhere in the world – then UCL is for you.
Alternatively, if employer reputation and landing a great job are the most important things to you at the end of your degree – then Imperial is the smart choice.
How far is UCL from Imperial?
UCL and Imperial College London are relatively close to each other in central London, with approximately three miles separating their main campuses.
UCL’s main location is Bloomsbury, while Imperial is based in South Kensington.
These two fantastic central locations let students access the vibrant cultural and academic offerings of London at each university.
Both universities also have departments and campuses in other parts of London (for instance UCL East in Stratford and various Imperial locations), so you can explore the city.
UCL vs Imperial: Reputation
Why is UCL so prestigious?
UCL’s prestige stems from its history as London’s first university and its commitment to academic excellence, innovation and social engagement. It consistently ranks not only in the top ten universities in the UK but also in the entire world.
With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and education, UCL ranks among the top universities globally, attracting students and scholars from around the world. It’s also a member of the prestigious Russell Group of universities.
UCL describe their central London location and prestigious reputation as the “UCL advantage” giving “unparalleled social and academic benefits” to enhance any graduate CV.
What is Imperial College London famous for?
Imperial College London is famous as the only university in the UK that specialises in STEMB (that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Business).
Known for its cutting-edge research, technological innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, Imperial attracts students and scholars from around the world seeking to make a difference in their respective fields.
Imperial is also famous for its many student societies and volunteering projects. It offers over 370 extracurricular clubs, the most of any university in the country.
Is a degree from UCL respected?
A degree from UCL is highly respected and valued in academia, industry and beyond.
In the latest Research Excellence Framework results, UCL was second in the UK for its research power – only behind Oxford University. What’s more, 93% of its research ranks as “internationally excellent” or “world leading”.
UCL maintained their top position for research in Social Sciences, Medicine and Life Sciences. They also gained a top position for research from their Institute of the Americas, Law and Philosophy. So if you’re studying in these fields, a UCL degree is particularly well respected!
Is LSE more prestigious than UCL?
Both LSE and UCL are highly regarded globally for their academic excellence and research contributions. Just like Imperial, however, LSE is more specialist.
LSE specialises in Economics and the Social Sciences, with a prestigious global reputation for these subjects.
We’ve already written an in-depth comparison between UCL and LSE, including reputation, rankings, entry requirements and more. So take a look if you’re deciding between these two London universities.
UCL vs Imperial: Admissions
Is UCL hard to get into?
UCL’s admissions process is highly competitive, reflecting its rigorous academic standards and outstanding global reputation.
Prospective students are evaluated based on their academic achievements, personal statements, references, and, in rarer cases, admissions tests or interviews.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need straight As (or higher) at A Level to secure a place. Depending on the degree programme, UCL offers typically range from A*A*A to AAB. Check each course page for entry requirements and subject combinations.
Searching for more information on entry to UCL? Check out our ultimate UCL admissions guide.
Is Imperial College London hard to get into?
Imperial College London’s admissions process is also highly competitive. In 2021, Imperial received 8.2 applications for every admissions place.
Standard Imperial offers range from A*A*A to AAA, so you’ll definitely need the best grades to secure a place.
Check individual programme pages for more specific information and get in touch with Imperial’s admissions department if you have any questions.
What is the hardest course to get into at Imperial?
Imperial College London offers a range of challenging and competitive courses across various disciplines.
However, programs in Medicine, Engineering, and Computer Science are typically among the most competitive due to high demand and limited places available.
To study Medicine, you’ll need a minimum of AAA (including Biology and Chemistry). This is just the minimum requirement however, and over 80% of Imperial offers asked for AAA to A*AA with an A* in Biology or Chemistry.
A BEng degree in Computing has even higher entry requirements. The minimum entry standard is A*A*A to A*AAA to include an A* in Mathematics. An A in Further Mathematics is also preferred. Over 80% of actual offers asked for A*A*A* (for students taking three A Levels) or A*A*AA (for students taking four A Levels).
Aiming for top grades? Discover how hard it is to get AAA at A Level and ten tips for acing your exams.
UCL vs Imperial: Quickfire Comparisons
Is UCL as good as Oxbridge?
While UCL, Oxford and Cambridge are all prestigious institutions, each offers a unique academic experience.
While Oxbridge universities have a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and collegiate structure, UCL holds its own as a leading research-intensive institution with a focus on innovation and collaboration across disciplines.
In terms of QS World University Rankings, UCL isn’t too far behind Oxbridge. While Cambridge is 2nd and Oxford is 3rd, UCL is 9th.
Is Imperial better than Oxford?
So what about Imperial?
Well again, it comes down to what you want to study.
According to the Complete University Guide, Imperial is number one in the country for Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering and Medical Technology and Bioengineering. So if you’re interested in these fields, Imperial beats Oxford.
In terms of overall rankings, however, Oxford comes out on top. While Imperial is an impressive 6th in the world, Oxford is 3rd.
Oxford’s centuries-old tradition of academic excellence and collegiate structure make it a top destination for students seeking a rich and immersive educational experience. On the other hand, Imperial’s focus on science, engineering, medicine and business distinguishes it as a global leader in these fields.
Is UCL as good as Harvard?
UCL is nearly as good as Harvard when it comes to World University Rankings. While UCL is 9th, Harvard is 4th. So they’re both in the top ten!
UCL’s reputation as one of the leading global universities places it in a league comparable to Harvard University.
While Harvard’s Ivy League status and extensive resources contribute to its esteemed reputation, UCL’s research impact, vibrant community, central London location and global outlook position it as a leading institution on the international stage.
Is Imperial College London better than Harvard?
Again, nearly!
While Harvard ranks 4th in the world, Imperial ranks 6th. So they’re in the same league.
Of course, this comes with the usual caveats of what you want to study and the type of university experience you want. While Harvard’s Ivy League status and comprehensive academic offerings are widely recognised, Imperial’s focus on STEMB subjects distinguishes it as a global leader in these fields.
Indeed, Imperial’s cutting-edge research facilities, world-class faculty and entrepreneurial culture provide students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.
Is UCL as good as the Ivy League?
UCL’s standing as one of the top global universities places it in the same category as prestigious Ivy League institutions.
In terms of rankings alone, Harvard is the only Ivy League institution that outperforms UCL.
Here are the Ivy League Universities and their QS World University Rankings.
- UCL: 9th
- Harvard University: 4th
- University of Pennsylvania: 12th
- Cornell University: 13th
- Yale University: 16th
- Princeton University: 17th
- Columbia University: 23rd
- Brown University: 73rd
- Dartmouth College: 237th
Are you applying to university in London?
If you’re applying to any of London’s fantastic universities, get in touch with our expert team at Academic Coaching.
With a proven track record of helping students secure places at the world’s most prestigious universities (including Imperial, UCL, LSE, King’s College and more), we can help with study skills and exam strategies, UCAS applications and personal statements and academic life coaching.
