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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.

K
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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

Kingston

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, satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship). Kingston University is ahead on TEF, established, graduate salary.

Kingston University vs University of Essex at a glance

Kingston University and University of Essex both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Business & Management (General) and Law. Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Kingston University is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Kingston University is about £4,980 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 11 and Kingston University in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Kingston University is higher in 9 and University of Essex in 9, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#686
QS World
#438
#801
THE World
#301
#67
Guardian UK
#44
1899
Established
1964
No
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.

Kingston University

University of Essex

85.4%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,900
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.9%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.9%
33.7%

International

International student share

390
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.

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%
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.

Kingston University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing, Management, Civil Engineering, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Biochemistry, Creative Arts (General), Mental Health Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Teacher Training, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Kingston 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

Kingston University
£18,500
University of Essex
£21,500

Kingston University is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Kingston University
£18,900
University of Essex
£23,880

Kingston University is about £4,980 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.

Kingston University

University of Essex

  • Economics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    71%Satisfaction83%

  • Accounting

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction78%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction75%

  • Applied Psychology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    77%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Kingston 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

Kingston University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Kingston University is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Kingston University is about £4,980 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 Kingston University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Economics, Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Psychology (General), Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 27 more.

Is Kingston University or University of Essex better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, and £30,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Kingston University and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Kingston University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Kingston University lists 390 courses.

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

Kingston University teaches 28 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Midwifery, Architecture, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Forensic Science and 20 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 35 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

K
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses