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.

G
Goldsmiths, University of London

London · QS World #701

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.

3/11

Goldsmiths

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Goldsmiths, University of London vs University of Essex at a glance

Goldsmiths, University of London and University of Essex both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Computer Science. Goldsmiths, University of London offers 291 courses across 39 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £1,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Goldsmiths, University of London is higher in 6 and University of Essex in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Drama & Theatre: £24,000 three years after graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, against £16,500 from University of Essex. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 8 and Goldsmiths, University of London in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#701
QS World
#438
#501
THE World
#301
#84
Guardian UK
#44
1891
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Goldsmiths, University of London

University of Essex

85.4%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£29,600
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40.3%
33.7%

International

International student share

291
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
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.

Goldsmiths

59 countries · 40.3% international

  • 🇨🇳China54.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)4.7%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
  • 🌐Taiwan2.2%
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.

Goldsmiths, University of London

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Creative Writing, Social Work, Business & Management (General), Applied Psychology, Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, Welsh Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Ancient Languages, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cultural Studies.

Only at Goldsmiths, University of London

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

Goldsmiths, University of London
£22,000
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Goldsmiths, University of London
£22,000
University of Essex
£23,880

Goldsmiths, University of London is about £1,880 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.

Goldsmiths, University of London

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • History of Art & Design

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,000
    73%Satisfaction82%

  • Journalism

    £25,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Goldsmiths, University of London

ESRC/SENSS Doctoral Studentships

£22,780

Deadline: N/A

Migrant Futures Doctoral Studentships

£22,780

Deadline: N/A

Academics at Risk Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: N/A

Rob Stringer Scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: N/A

Generation Delta Studentships

100%

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

Goldsmiths, University of London vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Goldsmiths, University of London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £1,880 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 Goldsmiths, University of London and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Computer Science, Economics, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Psychology (General), Media & Film Studies, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, Management and 18 more.

Is Goldsmiths, University of London or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Goldsmiths, University of London and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Goldsmiths, University of London or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Goldsmiths, University of London lists 291 courses.

What can you study at Goldsmiths, University of London but not at University of Essex?

Goldsmiths, University of London teaches 9 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Music, Personal & Professional Development, Fine Art, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Theology & Religious Studies, Dance and 1 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Goldsmiths, University of London?

University of Essex teaches 44 subject areas that Goldsmiths, University of London does not, including Philosophy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Business Studies, English Literature, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 36 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

G
Goldsmiths, University of London291 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses