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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
Bournemouth University

Poole · QS World #801

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.

2/10

Bournemouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Bournemouth University is ahead on employment, graduate salary.

Bournemouth University vs University of Essex at a glance

Bournemouth University and University of Essex both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Law. Bournemouth University offers 225 courses across 59 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Bournemouth University is about £810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Bournemouth University is about £4,190 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 13 and Bournemouth University in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Film Production & Cinematography: £26,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, against £17,000 from University of Essex. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 15 and Bournemouth University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#438
#401
THE World
#301
#59
Guardian UK
#44
1992
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.

Bournemouth University

University of Essex

80.8%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.4%
33.7%

International

International student share

225
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.

Bournemouth

73 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India27.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.8%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia6.5%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey5.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

41 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.

Bournemouth University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Design & Fashion, Mental Health Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Anthropology, Teacher Training.

Only at Bournemouth 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

Bournemouth University
£20,690
University of Essex
£21,500

Bournemouth University is about £810 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University
£19,690
University of Essex
£23,880

Bournemouth University is about £4,190 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.

Bournemouth University

University of Essex

  • History

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

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    73%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

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

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    78%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    80%Satisfaction75%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    61%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bournemouth University

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

Bournemouth University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Bournemouth University is about £810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Bournemouth University is about £4,190 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 Bournemouth University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Economics, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Psychology (General), Accounting and 29 more.

Is Bournemouth University or University of Essex better for History?

History graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, and £23,500 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Bournemouth University and 93% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bournemouth University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Bournemouth University lists 225 courses.

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

Bournemouth University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Applied Computing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Software Engineering, Business Information Systems, Forensic Science, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Biological Sciences (General) and 10 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 33 subject areas that Bournemouth University does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, Business Studies, English Literature, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 25 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bournemouth University225 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses