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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

0/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

3/3

Essex

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 3 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses, scholarship). Birmingham City University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birmingham City University vs University of Essex at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Essex both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Computer Science. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Birmingham City University is about £2,930 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 18 and Birmingham City University in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#438
—
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
N/A
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.

Birmingham City 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

284
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Essex

    97 countries · 33.7% international

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

    Subjects

    48 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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Essex

    Also taught at both: English Literature, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Nursing (General), English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Applied Psychology, Building & Construction, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Biochemistry, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Teacher Training, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Landscape Architecture & Design, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

    Only at Birmingham City 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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    University of Essex
    £21,500

    Birmingham City University is about £2,930 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Essex
    £23,880

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City 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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Essex

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
      77%Satisfaction84%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
      78%Satisfaction81%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      80%Satisfaction84%

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      84%Satisfaction71%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      89%Satisfaction88%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
      90%Satisfaction87%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
      80%Satisfaction77%

    • Drama & Theatre

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
      99%Satisfaction95%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      74%Satisfaction78%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
      85%Satisfaction83%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
      79%Satisfaction84%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
      92%Satisfaction75%

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

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    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

    Birmingham City University vs University of Essex: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Birmingham City University is about £2,930 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 Birmingham City University and University of Essex?

    Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Computer Science, Law, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Drama & Theatre, Accounting, Business Studies, Mathematics and 36 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Essex better for Economics?

    Economics graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £30,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at Birmingham City University and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of Essex offer more courses?

    University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Software Engineering, Architecture, Fine Art, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies, Information Systems & Data Science and 12 more.

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

    University of Essex teaches 26 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Ancient Languages and 18 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses