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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
London Metropolitan University

Islington · QS World #1001

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.

1/10

London Metropolitan

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Essex

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). London Metropolitan University is ahead on established.

London Metropolitan University vs University of Essex at a glance

London Metropolitan University and University of Essex both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Economics. London Metropolitan University offers 291 courses across 61 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at London Metropolitan University and £21,500 at University of Essex: London Metropolitan University is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,000 a year at London Metropolitan University and £23,880 at University of Essex: London Metropolitan University is about £3,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 27 and London Metropolitan University in 4. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from London Metropolitan University, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 23 and London Metropolitan University in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#100
Guardian UK
#44
1848
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

London Metropolitan University

University of Essex

85.5%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£26,900
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

75.5%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.8%
33.7%

International

International student share

291
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

15
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.

London Metropolitan

59 countries · 22.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan18.8%
  • 🌐Nepal11.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.2%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka2.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

45 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.

London Metropolitan University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Ancient Languages, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Human Resource Management, Performing Arts (General), Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Technology & Logistics.

Only at London Metropolitan 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

London Metropolitan University
£19,500
University of Essex
£21,500

London Metropolitan University is about £2,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

London Metropolitan University
£20,000
University of Essex
£23,880

London Metropolitan University is about £3,880 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.

London Metropolitan University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    72%Satisfaction81%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    70%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    70%Satisfaction77%

  • Mathematics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Accounting

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    78%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

London Metropolitan University

London Met Sanctuary Scholarship

£13,762

Deadline: Jun 2026

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Childcare Grant

85%

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

London Metropolitan University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is London Metropolitan University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at London Metropolitan University and £21,500 at University of Essex: London Metropolitan University is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,000 a year at London Metropolitan University and £23,880 at University of Essex: London Metropolitan University is about £3,880 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 London Metropolitan University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Business Studies and 33 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from London Metropolitan University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at London Metropolitan University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does London Metropolitan University or University of Essex offer more courses?

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

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

London Metropolitan University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Architecture, Nutrition & Dietetics, Chemistry, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Information Systems & Data Science, Fine Art, Music and 8 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 29 subject areas that London Metropolitan University does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
London Metropolitan University291 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses