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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.

A
Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth · QS World #801

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 6 datapoints

We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/6

Aberystwyth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

4/6

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 4 of 6 categories where both have data (ranking, courses, scholarship). Aberystwyth University is ahead on TEF, established.

Aberystwyth University vs University of Essex at a glance

Aberystwyth University and University of Essex both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. Aberystwyth University offers 414 courses across 66 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Aberystwyth University is about £780 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 23 and Aberystwyth University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £23,000 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aberystwyth University is higher in 20 and University of Essex in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#438
—
THE World
#301
#62
Guardian UK
#44
1872
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Aberystwyth University

University of Essex

No data
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
33.7%

International

International student share

414
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
30

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.

Aberystwyth

No published data on international students

    VS

    Essex

    97 countries · 33.7% international

    • 🇮🇳India21.2%
    • 🇨🇳China11.7%
    • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
    • 🇫🇷France5.7%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%

    Subjects

    42 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.

    Aberystwyth University

    University of Essex

    Also taught at both: English Literature, Ecology & Conservation, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Creative Writing, Marketing, Welsh Studies, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, English Language, Applied Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Biochemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Film Production & Cinematography, Genetics & Genomics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing.

    Only at Aberystwyth University

    Only at University of Essex

    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

    Aberystwyth University
    £20,720
    University of Essex
    £21,500

    Aberystwyth University is about £780 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Aberystwyth University
    No data
    University of Essex
    £23,880

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Aberystwyth University yet.

    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.

    Aberystwyth University

    University of Essex

    • Politics & International Relations

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      92%Satisfaction86%

    • History

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      92%Satisfaction93%

    • Economics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
      73%Satisfaction84%

    • Computer Science

      £34,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
      84%Satisfaction81%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      87%Satisfaction84%

    • Mathematics

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      97%Satisfaction95%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      87%Satisfaction88%

    • History of Art & Design

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      65%Satisfaction88%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      81%Satisfaction87%

    • Drama & Theatre

      £17,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
      92%Satisfaction95%

    • Business Studies

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
      93%Satisfaction83%

    • Psychology (General)

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
      91%Satisfaction84%

    Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Aberystwyth University

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Exam

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Regional Scholarship (PG)

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    David Game College Scholarship

    £2,500

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    University of Essex

    Access Essex Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme 2026-27 (Masters plus PhD)

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    The Essex MBA Dean's Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship

    £8,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Aberystwyth University vs University of Essex: common questions

    Is Aberystwyth University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Aberystwyth University is about £780 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 Aberystwyth University and University of Essex?

    Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Computer Science, Law, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Business Studies and 30 more.

    Is Aberystwyth University or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

    Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Aberystwyth University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Aberystwyth University or University of Essex offer more courses?

    University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Aberystwyth University lists 414 courses.

    What can you study at Aberystwyth University but not at University of Essex?

    Aberystwyth University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Fine Art, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information & Library Studies, Computing & IT and 16 more.

    What can you study at University of Essex but not at Aberystwyth University?

    University of Essex teaches 32 subject areas that Aberystwyth University does not, including Journalism, Linguistics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 24 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

    Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

    A
    Aberystwyth University414 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses