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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.

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

11/12

Imperial College London

scored higher in 11 categories

VS

1/12

Essex

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 11 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Essex at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Essex both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Economics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £3,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £16,020 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 4 and Imperial College London in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#438
#8
THE World
#301
#5
Guardian UK
#44
1907
Established
1964
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Imperial College London

University of Essex

88.9%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
33.7%

International

International student share

254
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
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.

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

27 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.

Imperial College London

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Statistics, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Building & Construction, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College 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

Imperial College London
£24,600
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £3,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £16,020 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.

Imperial College London

University of Essex

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    97%Satisfaction81%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction75%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    97%Satisfaction80%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

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

Imperial College London vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Imperial College London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £3,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £16,020 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 Imperial College London and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Biology, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 15 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Essex better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £33,500 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 81% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University of Essex?

Imperial College London teaches 15 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemistry, Physics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology and 7 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Imperial College London?

University of Essex teaches 47 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Psychology (General) and 39 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses