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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.

D
De Montfort University

Leicester · QS World #851

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

De Montfort

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, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). De Montfort University is ahead on established, employment.

De Montfort University vs University of Essex at a glance

De Montfort University and University of Essex both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. De Montfort University offers 204 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,800 a year at De Montfort University and £21,500 at University of Essex: De Montfort University is about £4,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,100 a year at De Montfort University and £23,880 at University of Essex: De Montfort University is about £5,780 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 21 and De Montfort University in 5. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £25,000 three years after graduating from De Montfort University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, De Montfort University is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#851
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#65
Guardian UK
#44
1870
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.

De Montfort University

University of Essex

85%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£28,500
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.2%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.8%
33.7%

International

International student share

204
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

8
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.

De Montfort

73 countries · 31.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India42.4%
  • 🇨🇳China14.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.4%
  • 🌐Nepal6.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

40 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.

De Montfort University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Marketing, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Creative Writing, Biomedical Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Film Production & Cinematography, Performing Arts (General), Biomedical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design.

Only at De Montfort 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

De Montfort University
£16,800
University of Essex
£21,500

De Montfort University is about £4,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

De Montfort University
£18,100
University of Essex
£23,880

De Montfort University is about £5,780 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.

De Montfort University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    76%Satisfaction81%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    75%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • English Literature

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    99%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

De Montfort University

Global Partnerships Scholarship

£8,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Health and Life Sciences Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship 2026/27

20%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

20%

Deadline: N/A

Travel bursary

£200

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

De Montfort University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is De Montfort University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,800 a year at De Montfort University and £21,500 at University of Essex: De Montfort University is about £4,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,100 a year at De Montfort University and £23,880 at University of Essex: De Montfort University is about £5,780 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 De Montfort University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Law, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Design & Fashion, Accounting, Psychology (General) and 28 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from De Montfort University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at De Montfort University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does De Montfort University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and De Montfort University lists 204 courses.

What can you study at De Montfort University but not at University of Essex?

De Montfort University teaches 28 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Aerospace Engineering, Forensic Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Pharmacy, Software Engineering and 20 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at De Montfort University?

University of Essex teaches 34 subject areas that De Montfort University does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
De Montfort University204 courses · 8 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses