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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
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/11

Aston

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Essex at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Essex both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £1,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,880 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 9 and University of Essex in 5, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Adult Nursing: £36,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £29,500 from University of Essex. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 14 and University of Essex in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#438
#401
THE World
#301
#39
Guardian UK
#44
1895
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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Essex

85.2%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
33.7%

International

International student share

169
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

37 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biochemistry, Media & Film Studies, English Studies, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £1,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Essex
£23,880

About the same.

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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction78%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)No data
    64%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £1,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,880 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. 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 Aston University, Birmingham and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 25 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Aston University, Birmingham and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Essex?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 14 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Public Health & Epidemiology and 6 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

University of Essex teaches 37 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature, Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 29 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses