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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.

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

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.

7/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Essex at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Essex both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £9,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,070 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 9 and University of Essex in 8, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £29,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £27,000 from University of Essex. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 13 and University of Essex in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#438
#201
THE World
#301
#34
Guardian UK
#44
1883
Established
1964
Yes
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.

Cardiff University

University of Essex

86.3%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
33.7%

International

International student share

362
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.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

53 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.

Cardiff University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Business & Management (General), Linguistics, Welsh Studies, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages, Marketing, Human Geography & Environment, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Media & Film Studies, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Statistics, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nursing (General).

Only at Cardiff 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

Cardiff University
£30,700
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £9,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £2,070 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.

Cardiff University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    70%Satisfaction81%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    79%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff 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

Cardiff University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £9,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,070 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 Cardiff University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Economics, Computer Science, Philosophy, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Journalism, Management, Accounting and 41 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Cardiff University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 33 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering and 25 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 21 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Genetics & Genomics and 13 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses