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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
Leeds Beckett University

Leeds · QS World #1001

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.

2/11

Leeds Beckett

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Essex

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Leeds Beckett University is ahead on established, employment.

Leeds Beckett University vs University of Essex at a glance

Leeds Beckett University and University of Essex both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sport & Exercise Sciences and History. Leeds Beckett University offers 318 courses across 67 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,840 a year at Leeds Beckett University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Leeds Beckett University is about £4,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,440 a year at Leeds Beckett University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Leeds Beckett University is about £5,440 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 23 and Leeds Beckett University in 3, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £42,500 three years after graduating from Leeds Beckett University, against £27,000 from University of Essex. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Leeds Beckett University is higher in 20 and University of Essex in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#438
#801
THE World
#301
#70
Guardian UK
#44
1824
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.

Leeds Beckett University

University of Essex

85.8%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£29,200
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85.3%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

19.1%
33.7%

International

International student share

318
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.

Leeds Beckett

65 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India48.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.6%
  • 🌐Nepal2.6%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam2.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

51 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.

Leeds Beckett University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: English Literature, Marketing, Journalism, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Social Policy & Public Policy, Creative Writing, Teacher Training, Human Resource Management, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Performing Arts (General), Biomedical Sciences, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, English Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Physical Geography & Climate, Classical Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics.

Only at Leeds Beckett 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

Leeds Beckett University
£16,840
University of Essex
£21,500

Leeds Beckett University is about £4,660 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Leeds Beckett University
£18,440
University of Essex
£23,880

Leeds Beckett University is about £5,440 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.

Leeds Beckett University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    75%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    77%Satisfaction81%

  • Business Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £42,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    78%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Leeds Beckett 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

Leeds Beckett University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Leeds Beckett University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,840 a year at Leeds Beckett University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Leeds Beckett University is about £4,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,440 a year at Leeds Beckett University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Leeds Beckett University is about £5,440 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 Leeds Beckett University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sport & Exercise Sciences, History, Economics, Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Mathematics and 39 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Leeds Beckett University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Leeds Beckett University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Leeds Beckett University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Leeds Beckett University lists 318 courses.

What can you study at Leeds Beckett University but not at University of Essex?

Leeds Beckett University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Music, Architecture, Education Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Planning & Housing, Community & Specialist Nursing, Fine Art and 8 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Leeds Beckett University?

University of Essex teaches 23 subject areas that Leeds Beckett University does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology and 15 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Leeds Beckett University318 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses