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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.

B
Bangor University

Bangor · QS World #567

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/10

Bangor

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Essex

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Bangor University is ahead on established.

Bangor University vs University of Essex at a glance

Bangor University and University of Essex both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations and History. Bangor University offers 329 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Bangor University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Bangor University is about £3,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,000 a year at Bangor University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Bangor University is about £4,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 26 and Bangor University in 2. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £22,500 three years after graduating from Bangor University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bangor University is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 8, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#567
QS World
#438
#501
THE World
#301
#46
Guardian UK
#44
1884
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Bangor University

University of Essex

87%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.5%
33.7%

International

International student share

329
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

Bangor

60 countries · 21.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India18.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.1%
  • 🇨🇳China12.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
  • 🌐Nepal6.3%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

36 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.

Bangor University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Linguistics, Ancient Languages, Welsh Studies, English Language, Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Creative Writing, Biology, Media & Film Studies, Environmental Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Adult Nursing, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Bangor 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

Bangor University
£18,000
University of Essex
£21,500

Bangor University is about £3,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bangor University
£19,000
University of Essex
£23,880

Bangor University is about £4,880 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.

Bangor University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    98%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bangor University

Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Master's Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Pantyfedwen Student Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Refugee Scholarship

See details

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

Bangor University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Bangor University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Bangor University is about £3,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,000 a year at Bangor University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Bangor University is about £4,880 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 Bangor University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Law, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies and 24 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Bangor University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Bangor University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bangor University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Bangor University lists 329 courses.

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

Bangor University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Zoology & Animal Biology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Music, Information Systems & Data Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Forestry & Arboriculture, Medical Sciences and 8 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 38 subject areas that Bangor University does not, including History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Journalism, Management, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bangor University329 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses