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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
Brunel University of London

Uxbridge · QS World #353

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Brunel University of London

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, courses, scholarship). Brunel University of London is ahead on ranking, international, graduate salary.

Brunel University of London vs University of Essex at a glance

Brunel University of London and University of Essex both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. Brunel University of London offers 373 courses across 62 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at Brunel University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: Brunel University of London is about £4,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,800 a year at Brunel University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £920 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Brunel University of London is higher in 17 and University of Essex in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Film Production & Cinematography: £25,000 three years after graduating from Brunel University of London, against £17,000 from University of Essex. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 14 and Brunel University of London in 8, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#353
QS World
#438
#401
THE World
#301
#69
Guardian UK
#44
1966
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.

Brunel University of London

University of Essex

81.7%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.3%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

34.6%
33.7%

International

International student share

373
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brunel University of London

81 countries · 34.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India26.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan11%
  • 🇨🇳China6.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

45 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.

Brunel University of London

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Civil Engineering, English Literature, Journalism, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Biochemistry, Marketing, Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, Social Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Anthropology, Environmental Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Building & Construction, Human Resource Management.

Only at Brunel 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

Brunel University of London
£17,400
University of Essex
£21,500

Brunel University of London is about £4,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Brunel University of London
£24,800
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £920 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.

Brunel University of London

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    70%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    77%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    74%Satisfaction81%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)No data
    72%Satisfaction75%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Brunel University of London

MBA Scholarship (Full-time & Part-time) September 2026

£14,750

Deadline: Aug 2026

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Brunel Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/27

100%

Deadline: N/A

Brunel University of London and the China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship 2026/27

100%

Deadline: N/A

Ealing Trailfinders (ETF) & Brunel University of London Rugby Academy Scholarship 2026/27

100%

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

Brunel University of London vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Brunel University of London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at Brunel University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: Brunel University of London is about £4,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,800 a year at Brunel University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £920 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 Brunel University of London and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Philosophy, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Drama & Theatre and 33 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Brunel University of London, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Brunel 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 Brunel University of London or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Brunel University of London lists 373 courses.

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

Brunel University of London teaches 17 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including General Engineering, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Music, Children's Nursing and 9 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 29 subject areas that Brunel University of London does not, including History of Art & Design, Management, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Ancient Languages and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Brunel University of London373 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses