Skip to main content

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
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

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.

8/11

Durham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Essex

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Durham University vs University of Essex at a glance

Durham University and University of Essex both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £9,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £6,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £26,500 from University of Essex. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 14 and University of Essex in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#438
#175
THE World
#301
#6
Guardian UK
#44
1832
Established
1964
Yes
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.

Durham University

University of Essex

90.7%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
33.7%

International

International student share

278
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

39 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.

Durham University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), English Language, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Biotechnology, Classical Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Liberal Arts, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training.

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £9,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £6,620 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.

Durham University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

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

Durham University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £9,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £6,620 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 Durham University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Law, Philosophy, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 27 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Durham University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, General Engineering, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Education Studies, Physics and 7 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 35 subject areas that Durham University does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Journalism, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses