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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
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

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.

3/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Essex

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on ranking, established, graduate salary.

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Essex at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Essex both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,030 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 11 and University of Essex in 8, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Creative Writing: £31,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £24,000 from University of Essex. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#438
#301
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
1823
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Essex

85.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
33.7%

International

International student share

361
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
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.

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

  • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.6%
  • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
  • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

46 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Journalism, English Literature, Management, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Ancient Languages, Creative Writing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Liberal Arts, Biology, Classical Studies, English Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Statistics, Environmental Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Teacher Training, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

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

Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500
University of Essex
£21,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Essex
£23,880

Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,030 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

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

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    72%Satisfaction81%

  • Drama & Theatre

    No dataSalary (3 years)£16,500
    75%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    78%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Birkbeck, University of London

Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

£18,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Cyril Taylor Scholarships

£15,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Breakspear scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

MA History of Art scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

£5,000

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

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,030 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 Birkbeck, University of London and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General) and 34 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at University of Essex?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 23 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Healthcare Science, Information & Library Studies, Chemistry, GIS & Remote Sensing and 15 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

University of Essex teaches 28 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering and 20 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses