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.
Ormskirk · Guardian UK #89
Colchester · QS World #438
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/9
Edge Hill
scored higher in 2 categories
7/9
Essex
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Edge Hill University is ahead on established, employment.
Edge Hill University vs University of Essex at a glance
Edge Hill University and University of Essex both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Law. Edge Hill University offers 210 courses across 55 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,000 a year at Edge Hill University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Edge Hill University is about £8,880 a year cheaper.
Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 26 and Edge Hill University in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Edge Hill University, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Edge Hill University is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 11, with 2 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Edge Hill University
University of Essex
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Edge Hill
21 countries · 4.5% international
- 🇮🇳India34.5%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria18.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan10.1%
- 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%
- 🇪🇬Egypt2.5%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
37 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.
Edge Hill University
University of Essex
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
52 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
History
3 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
44 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Law
11 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
29 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
11 coursesTypical fee £15,000 (PG)
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
7 coursesTypical fee £15,000 (PG)
28 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Computer Science
6 coursesTypical fee £15,000 (PG)
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Drama & Theatre
1 courseTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
7 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
Mathematics
2 coursesFee not available
23 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Business Studies
5 coursesTypical fee £15,000 (PG)
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
9 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
English Literature
1 courseFee not available
18 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Management
3 coursesTypical fee £15,000 (PG)
13 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Teacher Training
15 coursesFee not available
1 courseTypical fee £23,880 (PG)
Ecology & Conservation
3 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Adult Nursing, Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Biochemistry, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Work, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Design & Fashion.
Only at Edge Hill University
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
- Edge Hill University
- No data
- University of Essex
- £21,500
We do not have reliable international fee data for Edge Hill University yet.
Postgraduate
- Edge Hill University
- £15,000
- University of Essex
- £23,880
Edge Hill University is about £8,880 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.
Edge Hill University
University of Essex
Politics & International Relations
£20,500Salary (3 years)£25,00088%Satisfaction86%History
£19,500Salary (3 years)£23,50092%Satisfaction93%Law
£20,500Salary (3 years)£24,00092%Satisfaction84%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£25,00089%Satisfaction87%Sociology & Criminology
£20,500Salary (3 years)£24,00088%Satisfaction88%Computer Science
£23,500Salary (3 years)£33,50071%Satisfaction81%Drama & Theatre
£17,500Salary (3 years)£16,50088%Satisfaction95%Psychology (General)
£20,000Salary (3 years)£24,50080%Satisfaction84%Mathematics
£26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000No dataSatisfaction95%Business Studies
£22,000Salary (3 years)£27,00090%Satisfaction83%Business & Management (General)
£21,500Salary (3 years)£27,00081%SatisfactionNo dataEnglish Literature
£20,000Salary (3 years)£24,00070%Satisfaction83%
Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveEdge Hill University
Thrive Fund
£2,000
Deadline: N/A
Dame Janet Suzman Playwriting Prize
£1,000
Deadline: N/A
Rhiannon Evans Poetry Award
£500
Deadline: N/A
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
FAQ
Edge Hill University vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Edge Hill University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,000 a year at Edge Hill University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Edge Hill University is about £8,880 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 Edge Hill University and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), English Literature and 25 more.
Is Edge Hill University or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £20,500 three years after graduating from Edge Hill University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Edge Hill University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Edge Hill University or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Edge Hill University lists 210 courses.
What can you study at Edge Hill University but not at University of Essex?
Edge Hill University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, Children's Nursing, Geography (General), Learning Disabilities Nursing, Software Engineering, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Healthcare Science, Medicine and 10 more.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Edge Hill University?
University of Essex teaches 37 subject areas that Edge Hill University does not, including Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Journalism, Linguistics, English Language and 29 more.
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