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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.

G
Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow · QS World #1001

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

Glasgow Caledonian

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, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Glasgow Caledonian University is ahead on employment, graduate salary.

Glasgow Caledonian University vs University of Essex at a glance

Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Essex both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Law. Glasgow Caledonian University offers 130 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,930 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 13 and Glasgow Caledonian University in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Hospitality, Events & Tourism: £19,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, against £27,000 from University of Essex. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Glasgow Caledonian University is higher in 12 and University of Essex in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#438
#801
THE World
#301
#88
Guardian UK
#44
1993
Established
1964
No
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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

University of Essex

87.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£33,200
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.9%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.7%
33.7%

International

International student share

130
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.

Glasgow Caledonian

45 countries · 22.7% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan39.5%
  • 🇮🇳India27.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria19.8%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada1.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

30 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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Design & Fashion, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics.

Only at Glasgow Caledonian 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

Glasgow Caledonian University
£15,700
University of Essex
£21,500

Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Glasgow Caledonian University
£17,950
University of Essex
£23,880

Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,930 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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

University of Essex

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    67%Satisfaction81%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    No dataSatisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Accounting

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%SatisfactionNo data

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction75%

  • Journalism

    £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Management

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Marketing

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%Satisfaction75%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    71%Satisfaction84%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Glasgow Caledonian 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

Glasgow Caledonian University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,930 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 Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Accounting, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Journalism and 18 more.

Is Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Essex better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, and £24,000 from University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow Caledonian University lists 130 courses.

What can you study at Glasgow Caledonian University but not at University of Essex?

Glasgow Caledonian University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, Medical Imaging, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Children's Nursing, Forensic Science and 10 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Glasgow Caledonian University?

University of Essex teaches 44 subject areas that Glasgow Caledonian University does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature, Linguistics and 36 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

G
Glasgow Caledonian University130 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses