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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.

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

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.

6/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Essex at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Essex both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Economics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £7,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £420 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 12 and University of Essex in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £26,500 from University of Essex. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#438
#184
THE World
#301
#10
Guardian UK
#44
1964
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.

Lancaster University

University of Essex

88.5%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
33.7%

International

International student share

526
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

48 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.

Lancaster University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Media & Film Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Statistics, Ancient Languages, Biochemistry, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Cultural Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster 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

Lancaster University
£28,680
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £7,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £420 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.

Lancaster University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    99%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

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

Lancaster University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £7,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £420 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 Lancaster University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Economics, History, Sociology & Criminology, Philosophy, Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Linguistics, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 36 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Lancaster University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 23 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, General Engineering, Geography (General), Mechanical Engineering, Operational Research, Pharmacology and 15 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 26 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including History of Art & Design, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 18 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses