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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
Bristol, UWE

Bristol · QS World #761

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

Bristol

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, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Bristol, UWE is ahead on employment.

Bristol, UWE vs University of Essex at a glance

Bristol, UWE and University of Essex both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Sociology & Criminology. Bristol, UWE offers 257 courses across 72 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,750 a year at Bristol, UWE and £21,500 at University of Essex: Bristol, UWE is about £5,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,250 a year at Bristol, UWE and £23,880 at University of Essex: Bristol, UWE is about £7,630 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 16 and Bristol, UWE in 11, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Ecology & Conservation: £19,000 three years after graduating from Bristol, UWE, against £24,000 from University of Essex. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bristol, UWE is higher in 17 and University of Essex in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#761
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#66
Guardian UK
#44
1969
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.

Bristol, UWE

University of Essex

86%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.8%
33.7%

International

International student share

257
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

24
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.

Bristol

107 countries · 24.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India14%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.5%
  • 🇨🇳China4.5%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

47 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.

Bristol, UWE

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, English Literature, Journalism, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Creative Writing, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training.

Only at Bristol, UWE

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

Bristol, UWE
£15,750
University of Essex
£21,500

Bristol, UWE is about £5,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bristol, UWE
£16,250
University of Essex
£23,880

Bristol, UWE is about £7,630 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.

Bristol, UWE

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    99%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

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

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    71%Satisfaction77%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Accounting

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bristol, UWE

College of Health, Science and Society Dean's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

UWE Bristol Global Success Scholarship

£9,000

Deadline: N/A

Avon and Somerset Police Widening Participation Bursary

£5,760

Deadline: N/A

Certificate in Counselling Skills Scholarship

50%

Deadline: N/A

College of Health, Science and Society MSc Scholarship

50%

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

Bristol, UWE vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Bristol, UWE or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,750 a year at Bristol, UWE and £21,500 at University of Essex: Bristol, UWE is about £5,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,250 a year at Bristol, UWE and £23,880 at University of Essex: Bristol, UWE is about £7,630 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 Bristol, UWE and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Philosophy, Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting and 35 more.

Is Bristol, UWE or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Bristol, UWE, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Bristol, UWE and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bristol, UWE or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Bristol, UWE lists 257 courses.

What can you study at Bristol, UWE but not at University of Essex?

Bristol, UWE teaches 25 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Architecture, Aerospace Engineering, Fine Art, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Forensic Science, Mechanical Engineering and 17 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Bristol, UWE?

University of Essex teaches 27 subject areas that Bristol, UWE does not, including History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Ancient Languages, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bristol, UWE257 courses · 24 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses