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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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

London · QS World #62

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.

9/11

London School of Economics and Political Science

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on courses, scholarship.

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London vs University of Essex at a glance

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London and University of Essex both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London offers 253 courses across 30 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,200 a year at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £7,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London is higher in 11 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Philosophy: £43,500 three years after graduating from London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, against £24,000 from University of Essex. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London is higher in 7 and University of Essex in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#62
QS World
#438
#52
THE World
#301
#4
Guardian UK
#44
1895
Established
1964
Yes
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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

University of Essex

89.4%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£57,700
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

63.5%
33.7%

International

International student share

253
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

25
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 School of Economics and Political Science

108 countries · 63.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.8%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.7%
  • 🇮🇳India7.5%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore4.3%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

24 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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Management, Marketing, Anthropology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Statistics, Ancient Languages, Health & Social Care, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Cultural Studies.

Only at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of 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

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
£29,200
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £7,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
No data
University of Essex
£23,880

We do not have reliable international fee data for London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London yet.

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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction77%

  • Law

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Accounting

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Social Policy & Public Policy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £42,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction82%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

LSE Access to Education Undergraduate Scholarships

£250,000

Deadline: N/A

Mohammed Al Fahim Scholarship

£33,333

Deadline: N/A

Catherine and Joyce Wood Scholarship

£26,250

Deadline: N/A

LSE ESRC DTP Studentships

£23,805

Deadline: N/A

LSE Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

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

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London vs University of Essex: common questions

Is London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,200 a year at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £7,700 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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Philosophy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Accounting, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General) and 12 more.

Is London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London lists 253 courses.

What can you study at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London but not at University of Essex?

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London teaches 6 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Planning & Housing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Asian Languages & Studies, Computing & IT, Geography (General) and International Development.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London?

University of Essex teaches 50 subject areas that London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London does not, including History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics and 42 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London253 courses · 25 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses