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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
Coventry University

Coventry · QS World #581

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.

6/11

Coventry

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Coventry University leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international). University of Essex is ahead on ranking, graduate salary, courses, scholarship.

Coventry University vs University of Essex at a glance

Coventry University and University of Essex both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. Coventry University offers 468 courses across 81 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Coventry University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Coventry University is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at Coventry University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Coventry University is about £4,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 26 and Coventry University in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £26,000 three years after graduating from Coventry University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Coventry University is higher in 26 and University of Essex in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#581
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#40
Guardian UK
#44
1843
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Coventry University

University of Essex

88.3%
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

81.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

45.1%
33.7%

International

International student share

468
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
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.

Coventry

81 countries · 45.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India55.6%
  • 🌐Nepal12.6%
  • 🇨🇳China6.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.5%
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.

Coventry University

University of Essex

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

Only at Coventry 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

Coventry University
£17,600
University of Essex
£21,500

Coventry University is about £3,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Coventry University
£19,500
University of Essex
£23,880

Coventry University is about £4,380 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.

Coventry University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    99%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Accounting

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 40 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Coventry University

AZIZ Foundation Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

EU Support Bursary

100%

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor Undergraduate Scholarship 2025/26

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor Postgraduate Scholarship 2025/26

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

Coventry University Group 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

Coventry University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Coventry University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Coventry University is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at Coventry University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Coventry University is about £4,380 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 Coventry University and University of Essex?

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

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Coventry University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Coventry University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Coventry University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Coventry University lists 468 courses.

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

Coventry University teaches 28 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Geography (General), Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies and 20 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 21 subject areas that Coventry University does not, including History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, Social Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Ancient Languages, Biology, Welsh Studies and 13 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Coventry University468 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses