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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
Anglia Ruskin University

Cambridge · QS World #1001

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Anglia Ruskin

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Anglia Ruskin University is ahead on established, employment.

Anglia Ruskin University vs University of Essex at a glance

Anglia Ruskin University and University of Essex both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Politics & International Relations and History. Anglia Ruskin University offers 512 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at Anglia Ruskin University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Anglia Ruskin University is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at Anglia Ruskin University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Anglia Ruskin University is about £5,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 26 and Anglia Ruskin University in 7. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £24,000 three years after graduating from Anglia Ruskin University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 17 and Anglia Ruskin University in 15, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
1858
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Anglia Ruskin University

University of Essex

82.5%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£30,700
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

20.8%
33.7%

International

International student share

512
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

12
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.

Anglia Ruskin

93 countries · 20.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India43.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.4%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

58 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.

Anglia Ruskin University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: English Literature, Management, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Linguistics, Building & Construction, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Media & Film Studies, Applied Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biology, Civil Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Adult Nursing, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Biomedical Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Performing Arts (General), Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nursing (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Cultural Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training.

Only at Anglia Ruskin 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

Anglia Ruskin University
£17,500
University of Essex
£21,500

Anglia Ruskin University is about £4,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Anglia Ruskin University
£18,600
University of Essex
£23,880

Anglia Ruskin University is about £5,280 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.

Anglia Ruskin University

University of Essex

  • Business Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Anglia Ruskin University

Vice Chancellor's PhD Scholarships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Scholarship

£7,000

Deadline: N/A

Training Grant for Healthcare Students

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Scholarship

£4,000

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

Anglia Ruskin University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Anglia Ruskin University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at Anglia Ruskin University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Anglia Ruskin University is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at Anglia Ruskin University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Anglia Ruskin University is about £5,280 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 Anglia Ruskin University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Philosophy, Computer Science, Economics, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General) and 46 more.

Is Anglia Ruskin University or University of Essex better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Anglia Ruskin University, and £27,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Anglia Ruskin University and 83% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Anglia Ruskin University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Anglia Ruskin University lists 512 courses.

What can you study at Anglia Ruskin University but not at University of Essex?

Anglia Ruskin University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Software Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Forensic Science, Computing & IT and 17 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Anglia Ruskin University?

University of Essex teaches 16 subject areas that Anglia Ruskin University does not, including History of Art & Design, Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, Biotechnology, Ancient Languages, Welsh Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Anglia Ruskin University512 courses · 12 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses